Youtube Channel(Advice, Please!)

Hey my DkS friends

I'd like to start my own youtube channel, and as I hope some of you will watch my videos, I'd like some input as to how I should go about this channel!

A few questions being... What is okay to record? Is it alright if I start off with the crappy camera on my computer? What kind of editing software is acceptable? If I should get better equipment now, what should it be, considering a reasonable price? How can appeal to my audience?

I was thinking that for my first video series, I would do a playthrough of great club only. I would simply start the game as normal in the tutorial, but once I enter Lordran, head straight for the great club, and allow myself no other equipment until I have the stats to wield the great club. It would be a no-shield playthrough, where I wield only the greatclub two-handed. I would try to be as professional as possible, commentate as necessary, and provide background music.

So, is it too soon for me to start this with the equipment I have tomorrow?(With the utilization of an editing/recording pc program of your choice) Or should I order some sort of recording device for my PS3?

If you can't find a good recording program and have to resort to filming the screen with a camera(please dont) then at least make sure the camera is on a stand and as still as possible.

For your great club example, I'd start the game normally, and then as soon as I got out of the cell I would fastforward the progress as fast as possible until you got the cub and then start the video from there.

If you have an annoying voice then you can always just use subtitles.

Make sure to skip all the boring parts(unless it's being used as build up for something funny or exciting.

Be amusing when you can, have a good sense of humor.

Don't forget to put subtitles in the video to check the description below if you have any information there because NO ONE will look there if you don't.


Make sure to link me the video when you're done.

Don't do what I do, aka record with a cell phone that is in the same hands that are holding the controller to play since I have no stand or way to manage both. I often remove the audio tracks and replace them since they're god awful.

Spoiler:

@LunarFog - Oh yeah, well I assumed that much. And I'd like to think I have a pretty good voice.

But what I really need advice about here is what programs to use, or what devices for recording. I could easily set up my phone on a stool or something, but I feel that it may not be professional enough.

Okay dude, first of all, FIND A NICHE!!! Nobody really wants to watch someone else pvp. Theirs hundreds of videos of people who are good at pvp, and just post invasions. People won't pay attention to newbies like you to watch that ( NO OFFENCE) they are going to watch the veterans. I know it seems mean, but I'm not trying to be mean , I'm trying to be honest. Posting invasions will get you a few hundred Biews at best, mostly by friends you tell to watch it. I can't tell you how many videos their are of watching playthroughs with simply different gear. What's going to stand out, is a playthrough revealing every item, and a playthrough at level 1. See what I mean? They are completely different. Same thing goes with pvp vids, people won't want to watch you pvp because your a different person, they'll just watch the same veteran play with another build.

I think you need to watch the videos of other people and the big players on youtube, and find a way to differentiate yourself from them. From their, refine your niche, that way you can shine brighter than the other stars. I hope this helps, aand good luck. I will look forward to watching your videos.

I made a video with the cellphone and got 2000 views, so don't worry so much about equipment now. Keep progressing and acquiring equipment slowly. Good luck

Hmm, I agree to an extent. But I believe having a variety of videos, and being personable with my audience, and editing well will give me an edge.
Also, SL1 playthroughs are more common than you might think. I'm actually in the process of one already. Maybe SL1 PvP? SL 1 arena? xD

Edit: @Carphil: But if I plan on getting better equipment in the future, maybe my best bet is to start with a video of one unique subject, not a series like a playthrough of some sort. What do you think?

What Carphil said

My best advice after that is proper promotion. Most people here won't mind a thread as long as it's Dark Souls and you explain what you're showing. I got good views here and even a signature link will get good results for a short while.

I'll tell you. But this is just a very crazy idea that I had: I wanted to try to "re-create" my first playthrough, with the things I remember, and make a clip.

Some things would be very boring, like shooting 100 arrows on the red drake to get Drake sword. Some things would be dificult, like getting black knight sword on your first black knight, but I think with proper editing this could be interesting. I just don't think I would have the patience to die 41 times at Ceaseless Discharge or 30 for Bed of Chaos again


Anyway, keep asking for ideas, you can come up with interesting stuff

Also, do stuff you really like. Your passion will carry over. I'll keep referring to my prism one (since it's my only moderate success). I took the time to (attempt to) present it in an interesting way because I enjoyed doing it

I was actually thinking of allowing myself plank shield for the purpose of parrying mostly, and so that I'd look like an infested barbarian. And I kind of want to put a new twist on the whole thing by adding music, little effects, etc.

You should play the " Dave the Barbarian" theme ^^

Lol I'd certainly be using a lot of related music like that. I just need to know what editing programs to use :oops:

Off the top of my head, some common editing programs people use are:

Sony Vegas (will set you back a nice chunk of $)



Arcsoft Showbiz (Cheaper, less features than Vegas, bundled with Hauppauge PVR2 (at least it once was), does your basic jazz)



Windows Movie Maker (A confusing dinosaur to navigate but it has potential, I'm actually using it this very second, usually included free with Windows)


As far as devices go, you can go the capture card route to your pc or you can get a PVR. I have a Hauppauge PVR and connect it via USB to my laptop. It's a bit of a financial investment (100-300$) to get a capture device like these, so I'd recommend using camera footage until you know for sure this is what you want to do.

Thanks!

Yes, I've been looking into those devices, and I agree with your diagnosis. The question that remains then, is what device should I use in the meantime? My iPhone camera? Also, I have a new Windows 8 computer. Is it possible I have Movie Maker pre-installed on my computer that I just haven't discovered yet?

I use windows movie maker on my channel and I use audacity for the sound. They are both free and easy to use, download and install. Check out the link to my channel at the bottom of this post. Everything I have done was with these two programs. Plus bandicam for the recording.

Do original videos. No more "PVP in the forest omg". Use unusued weapons, cool tactics and troll a bit. I love watching trolling videos. Also, learn to edit and add funny things like a lot of youtubers do. Watch some OnlyAfro videos, for example.

I personally think a good mini-template for unique videos is to take a couple of Emarell's ideas. His/Her videos are msot of the time pretty funny, have quite a few jokes on-screen, and are original, such as: ('Hacker? No Ledge? No Problem!), which shows what I mean, and I think you could base your first videos off their style. Just a thought. The video is below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob0hV4JWonM