feedback on first video

[hard cloak]

me and a group of friends made our first video recently, wanted to get some feedback on the video in general (thumbnail, editing, storytelling, etc.) that we can implement before uploading a lot more. https://youtu.be/BcKvZtMfhyY?si=-kWWmV8hcTxx3pM4

[limpid stream]

Explanation:

I approach reviews step by step, focusing on levels. If I notice enough critical issues in your video, I’ll pause the review and provide guidance on how to address those key areas. This way, you can concentrate on improving a few things at a time rather than feeling overwhelmed with too much feedback at once. Some aspects of video creation are foundational and should be solid before moving on to more advanced improvements. These aspects are level 1, then less foundational are 2, and so forth!

Here's my grading system:

✅ : You're good here, or good for your niche's expectations! We'll keep going with the review!

🟦 : You're ok here (or it's only a small matter). I could pause the review if enough of these pop up.

❌ : You're weaker in this, but we can work on it! Get more than 2 overall and we'll stop to focus on them!

⚠️ : Critical issue here! We'll pause the review and focus here!

⚪ : This is not applicable to the video or your channel! No effect! Lets keep going!

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ LEVEL 1 ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

⋆ Video Clarity ⋆
✅ 1080 HD + (High-definition video for sharp details)
⚪ Lighting (Proper lighting for clarity and consistency.)
✅ Visual Composition (A balanced arrangement of elements within the frame.)
✅ Crisp Video (Sharp and clear video with no blurriness.)

⋆ Audio Clarity ⋆
⚠️ Crisp Audio (Clear and sharp sound with no distortion.)
⚠️ Sound Levels (Properly balanced audio, ensuring consistent volume without being too loud or too soft.)
🟦 Background noise (Minimization of unwanted ambient sounds that could distract from the main audio.)
🟦 Music / SFX LevelsIs any added sounds balanced and not over taking?

⋆ Video Structure ⋆
✅ Skeleton Structure (The basic framework of a video is there.)
🟦 Cohesiveness (The different parts of the video connect and flow.)
✅ Clear Narrative (The logical flow and development of the story or message from start to finish.)
✅ Pacing (The content doesn’t drag or feel rushed.)

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ LEVEL 2 ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

⋆ Editing Clarity ⋆
✅ Consistant Edits (Smooth and seamless edits that maintain continuity throughout the video.)
🟦 Consistant Style (A cohesive visual and narrative style that is maintained consistently throughout the content.)
✅ Transitions (A smooth movement between scenes that doesn't lose viewer engagement.)
✅ Pacing / Flow (The rhythm and timing of the video that keeps it engaging without feeling rushed or dragging.)
✅ Use of Effects / Graphics (The use of effects or graphics that enhance the video without distracting.)
⚪ Camera Work (The skillful use of camera angles, movements, and framing to enhance storytelling and clarity.)

⋆ Topic Relevence ⋆
✅ Topic (Interesting and aligned with the target audience’s interests.)
✅ Unique Selling Point (Reflects the channel’s niche and stands out from similar content.)
❌ Title Value (Short, relevant, and sparks curiosity.)

⋆ Video Skeleton ⋆
✅ The Hook (Starts with an attention-grabbing moment to pull viewers in.)
❌ The Intro (Introduction that sets expectations and establishes the video’s purpose.)
✅ The Clingy Minute (The first minute keeps viewers interested with key details or excitement.)
✅ The Substance/Body (Main content that delivers on the promise made in the title and intro.)
🟦 The Outro (Closing that wraps up the video and encourages further engagement.)

.........

I was supposed to stop reviewing your video right away from the second I heard your audio (it was so insanely loud and broken, it def needs repairs), but I figured I'd give you a bit more of a review to work with.

But def 100% absolutely, AUDIO is a MAJOR issue, and it's critical your audio is at least not ear splitting. Youtube themselves had to step in to lower your audio down by a ton (stats for nerds, it says your video was originally way too loud and YT lowered it for you).

So for audio first:

• You can get away with a bit of messy audio (your friend with the bad mic for example is ok) but i'd clean it up anyway when youre ready for professional sounding content. In this case, record all your mics and the gameplay seperate onthe best mics you can with the best recoridng situaitons you can and then clean up/adjust from there!
• For audio levels, your mic audio should range from -12 db to -8 db (and you can get away with a few beats at -6 when youre screaming-screaming for full realsies, but never for too long)
• Gameplay/background sounds can range from -35 to -25 give or take (you can play aorund here!)
• Overall sound levels should never ever ever be higher than -8 or -6 if youre scremaing and only briefly
• Overally loudness should be -14 LUFs (this is a loudness normalization you apply after the entire video is done to all your tracks combined to make sure theyre not ear splitting ro too quiet fro youtubes settings)

All the above can be done in audacity or in any major editing software!

I also would suggets a shorter, more entertaining intro

• intros are insanely important for some videos, and not at all for others.
• If this is a letsplay, then a quick and smooth intro is a must!
• If this is supposed to be a gameplay clip comp (which it doesnt vibe as at all) then you can get away with no intro but not a long intro.
• Intros usually need wrapped up by 30s or less of the video starting, with a second intro being ok for complicated videos

And fianlly, your title doesnt make your video come across as a letsplay or gaming, but rather an actual driving video (i know the thumbnail helps here, but its best to max out both over one or the other in your favor)

I think these need fixed before you work on your thumbnail, other editing, and storytelling

[hard cloak]

this is actually what we did for the audio, we recorded our personal audio in audacity and gameplay audio in obs. i’m just very bad at balancing out audio levels lol so all of that really helps

i slightly disagree with the title thing, just because the game being played is relatively small in terms of community and the video i think wouldnt really benefit as much from having the games name in the title than it would if it was a much bigger game like minecraft or something. you look at the most successful titles for similar long drive videos and none of them really include gameplay context because the gameplay is implied by the thumbnail

usually when i’m scrolling through i recommended i look at the thumbnail first, then the title, and it’s kind of like a package deal where the thumbnail gives me context to the title, so that’s kinda my thought process when doing that. some of the other videos we have that i’m in the process of editing have titles that kinda implement ur idea though

i agree that the intro should be shorter too, and that’s something i’ve definitely made efforts to improve on with these next videos coming up. i appreciate the thorough and detailed feedback!

[limpid stream]

Anytime! Happy to help!

[limpid stream]

no no, not the "game name" the fact that your title isn't "game orriented at all"

If I said "my friends and i go on a road trip" that says nothing about us being absolutely silly in this crazy game where crazy stuff is happening

I get "oh road trip story?" if you combine title and thumbnail not "road trip sim gone wrong and chaos + fun times ensure"

[limpid stream]

It kinda vibes together wrong, and while it can help, its not a deal. Its an issue I also have (getting gameplay to come across as a gameplay)

[hard cloak]

agree to disagree i guess, i see it a little differently but i appreciate the different perspective. thanks for the help overall!