Youtube Reviews

[JeCroisQue]

So I'm sitting here in my living room staring at a few stacks of plastic that I have been telling myself I will sell but haven't and the thought occurred that it would be a good idea to film some throws and put them on youtube. I have about 70-100 different molds and usually multiples of each in different plastics/wears. I have watched my fair share of youtube reviews, some good and some bad. I was wondering what you guys look for in a video review.

A little about me. I am an decent player (I think my rating was somewhere around 900 when I used to keep it). Max distance is right around the 400 ft mark. I am decent at everything, not great at anything. I am predominantly RHBH. I have a reasonable thumber and a serviceable sidearm that is comfortably 250, but I can push it out to 300 when I need to.



Here's what I will definitely include:

- Close ups of the disc at all angles showing the profile and maybe some comparisons with similar discs.

- Field testing with the occasional on course testing.

- Show the throw on multiple angles and multiple power levels.



Here's some things that other videos have that I am looking for feedback on whether you like it or not:

- Talking or a verbal description/summary of the disc vs text descriptions

- Music in the background

- Direct disc comparisons or VS videos. For example I could do a Buzzz vs truth or teebird vs rival etc. as opposed to doing single reviews on specific discs.I could also do a fresh vs seasoned vs beat or a champ vs star to show the flight characteristics of a particular mold.

- guest throwers of different skill levels

- Line up videos similar to the VS. except more complimentary. I could do videos on the overstable mid slot or a video on MVP's putter selections and the differences in the discs.

- What length of video do you prefer?

- Giveaways at certain like or view thresholds. Essentially I could give away the discs if the video gets enough views or likes or something like that.

- I would also eventually like to put out quick sub 1 minute clips of throws that I could maybe find someone who has a disc flight chart website and they could link the discs to videos of the throws.

- Weekly videos vs random releases



If you have any suggestions or thoughts I would love to hear them. Thanks for your time.

 

[Stable]

It's good to have different skill level players throw a specific disc to see how it flies with different skill sets.

If you have a decent speaking voice then add commentary. If not then leave your voice out and use text descriptions. As a viewer, I'll stop watching a review within seconds if the reviewer has an annoying quality to their voice.

Giveaways aren't necessary, just put up a good review and stick with everything that you plan on including.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

People watch disc reviews?

 

[slowplastic]

Good camera angle from behind is number 1 to me, so that it mimics how we see a disc fly when we throw it. Show 2-3 flat shots to show true flight path/consistency, and hyzer release and anhyzer release. Use judgement of course, if it's an understable disc that is meant to be thrown on a hyzer flip then use that as its main flight path, etc. But just show a consistent release and either say in voiceover or subtitle if it was released flat or slight hyzer, etc.

I do prefer a one disc review in general, but having its comparison to the gold standard for a couple of throws is ideal to me. So you focus on the one mold, say if it's something like a Thunderbird or Rival, but edit in a back to back shot of it with a Teebird on the same release to show the difference/similarities to the classic. Something like a Truth, then show how a Buzzz compares, etc. You have a hundred extra discs, I'm sure you know what compares best that people would relate to and this is already your idea you mentioned.

However the company "full lineup" is cool too, like you said doing MVP's mids compared to each other or something like that. I just think if you are shooting out "every company's" overstable mid slot or something, it's so easy to miss one and then it won't be complete, etc.

It is likely best to focus on a fairly fresh version of discs for reviews rather than something that has been beat in for 2 years, but it's always cool to see a shot or two of a beat in version and perspective on if a disc gets better with age or becomes finicky and needs replacements. But when people buy a new disc it should get to a similar point to the one you're reviewing soon.

But it sounds like you have a good handle on what you like and what is out there. People's attention span is short so that's another reason why I think more videos on individual or pairs of discs, rather than big shootouts on 5+ discs. Use your judgement on voiceover or whatever, but I definitely appreciate videos that get to throws sooner rather than trying to be a youtube personality as the first priority, and you can always talk over the footage to get everything in.

 

[RFrance]

A high drone shot of the throw would be very nice. In most review videos it's hard to see the disc fly because of the disc color or the disc just gets lost from view with the distance.

 

[joecoin]

No music

 

[DarkAce1978]

My 2 cents... Compare 2 or 3 discs. Use camara angles already suggested. 2 demo throwers, yourself and someone in the 275 to 325 max d range. A 3rd thrower farther than that could be beneficial but most of those guys already know what they prefer. At the end all throwers give a 30 second review on their thoughts about the discs.

 

[DarkAce1978]

I enjoy disc golf monkeys vids on youtube. They aren't perfect but I appreciated the work they did.

 

[Tripper]

People watch disc reviews?

I wouldn't.

 

[scarpfish]

Here's what I will definitely include:

- Music in the background

And with that, I'm out.

Unneccesary music in videos about most anything is the bane of Youtube, esspecially when its going on while someone needs to be talking.

 

[JeCroisQue]

And with that, I'm out.

Unneccesary music in videos about most anything is the bane of Youtube, esspecially when its going on while someone needs to be talking.

Where did I ever say I would definitely add music? The was clearly under the list of things I wanted feedback about. Not sure why you changed it round to make it look like I was quoted saying that.

If anything I am leaning towards leaving music out of it.

 

[Keller]

I'd give them a watch.

My thoughts;

NO MUSIC! It's freaking annoying. Half or more of your audience hates heavy metal, country, Rap or whatever. And trying to hear commentary over music is the worst.

Different levels of throwers is good. As long as they are actually different. Not one weak torque monkey and one muscle head torque monkey. I actually like watching average golfers throw discs I might be interested in, if I want to watch pros throw, I'll watch tournament footage.

Close up disc profiles are really good. Youtube is one way I research discs because most manufacturers won't even tell you if a disc is beaded or beadless much less take the time to show a "real" profile pic.

I like commentary as long as it applies to the discs and how they are thrown. Simple is best. No need to try and be a comedian, Mr tough guy gangsta disc golfer or ramble on about how pretty the stamp is.



There are lots of good and bad out there; for a few.

DGWeekly used to do a nice job, but he went to a new Trilogy career.

"Disc Golf Examiner" is horrible in my opinion. Annoying and piss poor commentary, when thrown on a flat release! Do you guys even watch the video you're commenting on? It was thrown on a freaking 20 degree hyzer!

I like HomeSlice. Can be a little Trilogy biased though, and I don't like when they advise people to not throw certain discs forehand. Guy's I forehand Sidewinders all the time, learn some touch! LOL


All in all, I like watching average and better players throw disc I'm interested in and I'll watch videos if the're available. They have helped me make decisions on disc purchases where I can't feel them in person.

Good luck, and yes, I'll watch.

 

[smarkquart]

I normally stay away from other people's videos because it only reminds me that I am currently in a situation where all I can do is watch videos instead of being outside and throwing myself.

Still, I find that when I do watch videos that the lack of commentary is very awkward and off-putting. I cannot stand watching silence, even if that is the way it would be if I were actually in that group. As for music, rarely does it work because usually it is the royalty-free variety that was not made specifically for the energy, story, or action of the specific video. The worst part is, that I am guilty of all this when I make my own videos (the difference being that I do not mind as much watching myself throw).

So, I would prefer commentary with music then used sparingly. Even poor commentary is better than none.

Ideally:

Commentary from people who know how to speak when a microphone is in front of them. No word fillers like, "like" and "you know" and "ummm".

Camera angles that show the majority of the flight that also show angles, breaks, turns, kicks, fades, etc. I am not sure what would be ideal, but maybe a drone hovering about 10 feet behind the thrower about 10 feet off the ground. If the throw is heading toward a basket, have a second camera that at some point has the basket in frame so we get a sense of how close the throw really was.

Simple but informative subtitles - maybe the player's name, wind direction and speed, the disc being thrown, and distance. Between run-up, release, the disc's flight, and coming to rest, you have time to flash quite a bit of information on the screen without making it seem overwhelming, too much, or too fast.

I would love to see more shot-tracker or graphic that displays the path of the disc. I seen a few productions do this, and would love to figure out how to do this for my own videos. I would not use it for every shot, but combined with commentary, makes great replay for those special shots.

 

[slowplastic]

Yeah to make comments on some of the ones that exist...

HomeSlice is amusing, good angles, honest evaluations on if discs are basically identical as each other or way off on the numbers. Lots of throws. Only minor complaint is they mix together flat/hyzer/anhyzers somewhat randomly, but they do a fantastic job of saying in the video what the release was, if disc plastic was different, and if headwind/tailwind.

Know Your Discs is great as well for throws. They show different thrower levels, different release angles, have distance markers that are easy to see, and have short videos. They could maybe have a bit more verbal description but the throws are good and give you a very transparent evaluation of flight paths, just open field lines with distance markers. The same music over the throws gets irritating to me and I just mute it.

Disc Golf Examiner is the most random to me. It seems like they let each person throw the disc once on each release angle "try" and just put it in there. As someone said, they'll say that it's a flat throw and obviously way on hyzer. Or the anhyzer was so nose up any disc more stable than an unLace would fight out. Or the forehand was OAT'd for the first hundred feet. If your throw sucked then throw it again cleanly so we can see what the disc is doing.

I like the DD videos a lot, just that 80% of people who are into disc golf enough to watch disc reviews are probably halfway between Bobby and Eric in their form/power. They won't be flipping an Enforcer but they also won't have it fade out of their hand.

 

[Dr. Bogey]

Like: Multiple throwers of different abilities; overhead views; flight tracking; concise commentary that identifies release angle and other important info; tightly edited, short videos.

Dislike: Rambling, repetitive commentary; videos that are longer than they have to be.

Meh: Music. I don't mind it if it's not too loud, but there are more reasons to leave it out than to include it.

I like the lineup idea. Maybe these exist already, but a video comparing, for example, the Comet, Meteor, and Buzzz SS or the various Aviar varieties would be helpful.

You're obviously putting some thought into this, and I will watch your videos if they come across my radar.

 

[Flick Maniac]

I have been with the Discmania Media Team this year, and trying to learn the Youtube game. It is not as easy as it may appear, and a lot of things are learned the hard way.

You can check out my videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/glaabaglooba
Some stuff came out surprisingly nice, others have issues. Live and learn.

Windproofing the mic is a big deal, or otherwise finding wind cover for the camera. This is something you will only hear in playback so test shoot something first and see what it sounds like. Also, if you attach the camera to something with a clamp or some such, make sure there is not some vibrations or whatever that travel to the mic via the structure. Ambient sound can be a problem too. A road (especially a wet one) will make huge amount of noise (well obviously the cars on it, not the road itself, har har), something that may not sound bad to your ears when youre there (since people are so accustomed to it) but it may be really disturbing on the video.

Think about adding subtitles if you get any disturbing sound on there. That way people may mute it but still keep watching.

I am still battling keeping the disc in the frame. Shooting in as high quality as possible may help. A bright disc and a dark background may also help, but might not be easy to arrange either. Catch cam would be nice but requires a second person. I did get to film one bit with a drone flying specialist and obviously that came out extra nice.



Youtube recently dropped the video editing tool, so I have to look for a free editing software. There are some nice options out there. Actually I prefer if I can edit the video directly on the device (top end smartphone), so that will be something I will be looking at when deciding on the next phone to get.