| Author |
|
John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 136205
|
| Posted: 05 May 2026 at 12:17pm | IP Logged | 1
|
post reply
|
|
When I look at YouTube videos covering the work of other artists and myself, I am often struck by how staggering primitive they are. I would say unprofessional, but since most are produced by people who aren’t true professionals, that would be redundant, and maybe even a little bit mean. Not my purpose here. No, what I want to touch on here is how very unprepared so many of these people seem. It’s clear they have no script, no notes. They just plonk themselves down with a camera, pointing at them or straight down on a table/desk/drawingboard, and start talking. And almost immediately, start floundering. Losing their threads, stumbling over what they mean to say. Often with distracting jump cuts as they attempt to back up and start over. To all these well-intentioned folk, I have two words: cue cards. Doesn’t have to be detailed scripts. Just a general outline of what you want to say. And, maybe a run through before you start? A rehearsal, like the pros do it. It’s no sin to be ready. Oh, and one more thing, in the name of professionalism: if you make a statement, be as sure as you can be that it’s TRUE. Even the smallest things.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Evan S. Kurtz
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 04 July 2022
Location: Canada
Posts: 328
|
| Posted: 05 May 2026 at 2:26pm | IP Logged | 2
|
post reply
|
|
I would imagine in some of those videos, the sound is also garbage. I find it really hard to watch or listen to something when it sounds like they recorded in a bathroom or whatever. A good mic goes a long way.
This is what happens when people with a talent or skill are denigrated repeatedly by those who don't understand how much work actually goes into what they do. "I could do that!" Doesn't really work when "I never learned how to do that!" is also true.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 136205
|
| Posted: 21 May 2026 at 6:58pm | IP Logged | 3
|
post reply
|
|
To expand—I am weary beyond measure of watching these videos (not just the ones about me) and having the narrator spew forth constant variations of “I don’t know why/how/if…” in regards to elements of the work. DUDE! If you are going to appoint yourself to create these “reviews” it is your DUTY to find out as much as you possibly can before you start. This is not the place for opinion and guesses. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT. The internet is full of enough confusion and falsehood. Don’t add to it!
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Evan S. Kurtz
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 04 July 2022
Location: Canada
Posts: 328
|
| Posted: 21 May 2026 at 10:26pm | IP Logged | 4
|
post reply
|
|
I hope those channels don't have a ton of subscribers or views. I imagine they have more of either than they deserve.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
James Woodcock
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 21 September 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8503
|
| Posted: 21 May 2026 at 11:43pm | IP Logged | 5
|
post reply
|
|
When I did my video of unboxing the Razor Crest, I mapped out what I
wanted to say.
I do a lot of presenting so I know that as long as I know my path, I can pretty
much get where I want to without it looking like a disaster.
However, if I made a mistake, I would start that bit again and edit it out.
I then did an edit and thought about what was missing - I thought my first
edit was boring so went back and did some insert pickups. They had the
express aim of adding a better flow with more energy.
This was a hobby video.
I never understand why people who spend their lives making these types of
video do not do those things.
Now, people may well think my video is boring, badly edited, poorly
presented, but I at least tried to rectify errors. I’ve many videos where it is
plainly obvious that this was not attempted.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
e-mail
|
| |
Brian ONeill
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 04 July 2024
Posts: 125
|
| Posted: 22 May 2026 at 5:26pm | IP Logged | 6
|
post reply
|
|
'So, this, uh, video is about John uh, um, y'know, Byrne, creator of Spiderman...'
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 136205
|
| Posted: 22 May 2026 at 7:40pm | IP Logged | 7
|
post reply
|
|
Everyone knows I created Super-Man!
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
James Johnson
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 March 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2384
|
| Posted: 22 May 2026 at 8:46pm | IP Logged | 8
|
post reply
|
|
The Internet: Where everyone should have a voice, but not everyone has earned the right to have a microphone.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Peter Martin
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 March 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 16456
|
| Posted: 23 May 2026 at 12:15am | IP Logged | 9
|
post reply
|
|
I actually disagree with the premise of these criticisms. TV is a medium for professionals. You Tube was not supposed to be that at all. And if you want professional 'content creators', you are increasingly getting that anyway. They are taking over and 'social' media is less content from regular people these days and instead content pushed out that is nearly always partially advertorial in nature.I have zero issues with amateurs putting out content that is amateur in execution on You Tube because is the whole point of YOU tube.
Edited by Peter Martin on 23 May 2026 at 12:19am
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 136205
|
| Posted: 23 May 2026 at 10:51am | IP Logged | 10
|
post reply
|
|
The problem, Peter, is that the internet provides such a vast platform that the dross can easily outweigh the legitimate material. Especially true in cases such as triggered my complaint, ie videos that present themselves as expert and knowledgeable when they are anything but. Aaron Sorkin summed it up as the internet giving everyone a turn at the mic, but not everyone having earned a turn at the mic.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
John Popa
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 20 March 2008
Posts: 4758
|
| Posted: 23 May 2026 at 3:23pm | IP Logged | 11
|
post reply
|
|
Man, do I agree with this - I see so many podcasts, vlogs, streams, etc ... and my thought is 'don't you want to actually be good at this?' To me, a good podcast should feel like a radio show, with quality hosts and sound, editing as needed, if its live, well, you better be good at going live, because it's not an easy skill to master.
As Evan said, I think people think people see or hear shows that they relate to and think "anyone can do that" but they don't realize, like anything, that doing something WELL takes skill, training and practice. Oh, and guess what, some people aren't ever good at it, even after all that.
I've done some episodes of a horror movie review 'face off' type show - just for fun. Even then, I rewatched the movies in question, knew the categories we discussed and came ready. And, well, I know how to talk in front of people.
Edited by John Popa on 23 May 2026 at 3:28pm
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Evan S. Kurtz
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 04 July 2022
Location: Canada
Posts: 328
|
| Posted: 23 May 2026 at 4:30pm | IP Logged | 12
|
post reply
|
|
I mean, it's really just the Dunning-Kruger Effect occurring on a mass scale. Maybe they should call it the "Cascading Dunning-Kruger Effect" because people see others doing shitty jobs and feel inspired to do their own shitty job, which in turn inspires yet more people to do shitty jobs on a large scale.
Kind of like the "duplicates" episode of Rick and Morty where the worst duplicate makes the worst duplicate makes the worst duplicate until at the bottom of the duplicate barrel are literal monsters.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
