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Creator Blog #4 | On using graphics
🕑 Added 2022-07-28 14:00:08 +0000 UTCWhy do I narrate through graphics rather than talk in front of a camera?
I tried different formats when starting YouTube. Some things I tried were comedy sketches, short animations and collage, and the “talking head” format. (Talking head is when it’s just you and the camera doing the storytelling with no b-roll or other clips).
Most YouTubers talk in front of a camera and mix in b-roll footage. I have to admit, this is a lot less labor intensive than what I'm currently trying to do. But to achieve my grand vision in this talking-in-front-of-a-camera format, I would have needed to put in a couple years of work to master certain skills that I had zero of. That meant years of getting better at talking in front of a camera and mastering cinematic shots. Perhaps I could have also invested in an improv class (or a Toastmasters membership) plus a filmmaking class.
A good advise I received awhile back is that it’s more efficient to leverage your strengths rather than to upgrade for your weaknesses.
So instead, I assessed the baseline of my skills and realized I would be better off leading with graphics. Before YouTubing, I had worked as a designer for about a decade. So I had already put in my 10,000 hours as an illustrator and designer.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still skills that I lack and am continuing to develop (like speech, writing, sound design, all sorts of other skills needed). But the idea is to build upon what I already have now.
In the words of the great Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
Comments
Oh man. Same here. I've thrown out so many scripts as well. There was one that was already scheduled to publish but I ended up canning it. At least you're discovering what works for you.
Mark Finley
Aww thanks Thea. A few weeks ago we recorded two videos for our Paris trip, and they were terrible. We threw out the script, started over with just an outline, and they were much better. Some of our early videos are cringy.
An exercise I was told to do once was look up my favorite YouTubers and watch their oldest video. Every single one of them (that didn't have a film background) were absolutely awkward. Now they are all big YouTuber who you would have thought were born to be in front of cameras. The only real formula that got them to where they are now is that they just kept making videos. I really believe if someone did something often enough, they'll get good at it. YouTubing is a skill. And skills are developed, they're not innate. (But honestly, I don't think you sound scripted. 😉 You actually have a friendly voice.)
Mark Finley
One of my biggest weaknesses (and my wife's) is writing out what we Want to say, but not making it sound scripted. The more we can get away from scripts the better we are.
Thanks, Jim! The focus on the content has always been the goal. That's why even the language on social media is a bit selected. As much as possible it's "the channel" or "this video" rather than saying "my channel" or "my video".
Jim Allen
If you have the graphics and design experience it makes sense. The only thing you’re missing is the recognition. You’ll never be walking down the street and hear “Hey Thea”. Actually, I enjoy the “meme girl” graphics and I think it’s fitting for the channel content - the focus isn’t on you - it’s on the content.. but the branding element is still present.
