Automotive/Motorsport/project car vlogging

[mash.]

Hi there,

I'm looking at starting a vlog... no not the type of ste you see all the time, "here's me in my new Ferrari with cheery bomb exhaust" blah blah

I'm thinking racecar projects, and just general workshop projects etc.

I'm 22 and think I'm in a very good position to be able to get people to find the videos interesting. The only problem is i've never done anything like this before, I can pick things up easily (editing etc) but where do I start.

I have access to a gopro 3 silver, which I'm hoping to get a timelapse of when we move in and start grinding and polishing the floor and moving all our stuff in, that's basically where ive got to now.

So yeah any information ANYONE has of this cameras, editing, stuff to avoid, stuff to do, etc etc I know my questions is kinda starting off like how longs a piece of string but yeah didn't really know how to word it..

[singlecoil]

I suggest you start by looking at what your competitors are doing, especially the more successful ones. Look at each one twice, at least. Take a note of the technical aspects such as lighting, camera positions and edits etc.

Do you plan to talk in these videos? If so (and it's difficult to get people interested if you don't) then if you are talking on camera invest in a wired, or if you can afford it, a wireless lavalier microphone. Otherwise narrate it in post which isn't so demanding technically.

[Nigel_O]

mash. said:

I'm 22 and think I'm in a very good position to be able to get people to find the videos interesting.

mash. said:

The only problem is i've never done anything like this before, I can pick things up easily (editing etc) but where do I start.

firstly - well done for looking to do something, but the two statements above are mutually exclusive - with zero experience of anything similar, you believe that you are in a very good position to get people to find the videos interesting. What is it that you think you have that will make your material stand out from the rest?

mash. said:

I have access to a gopro 3 silver,

This is a four year old camera with suspect battery life. Whilst I imagine this is OK for general home videos, I'm not sure its going to be enough to generate the quality needed to prevent people navigating away after ten seconds.

That said - everyone has to start somewhere, so good luck in your endeavours

PS - I'm not speaking from a position of expertise in vlogging - its just an observation - feel free to ignore me and just dive in (which is often the best way - learn by doing)

[bazza white]

Have a go at making some videos and editing them. Find a style you are comfortable with.


I have an action camera for videos but got miffed by its limitations, I recently got a gx80 and it's a world away from action cams quality wise. Sound isn't the best but an external recorder will sort that. May be worth getting a cheaper mirrorless camera or dslr. My brother has a old Sony NEx 3 (or NEx 5) and it's pretty decent. Can be had cheap second hand.

As long as the content is decent you can use anything though. Decent content will always overrule poor quality.

I'm just learning to make videos, fun but so much to learn.

[gp1699]

I wouldn't use the hero 3 for vloging, watching a video recorded entirely on a go pro is hard! plus when you're talking to the camera you can't see if you are framed how you would like.

if you have a newish phone use that or get a compact camera to start with. By all means still use your GoPro for action shots etc.

[Craigwww]

Don't underestimate the number of hours work it will take to produce one 10min video.

It isn't as easy as it looks and those vloggers you see on YT have a team of experienced people behind them these days to be able to produce quality content, regularly.

Also are you comfortable on camera? Do you have the right presentation style? In depth knowledge of what you're presenting? Do you speak clearly etc etc etc....

I do fear from the tone and content of your post that you may well be in for a shock.

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

[mash.]

Thanks for the response,

Yep the camera is just something I've got lying around the house, I will look at getting something mirrorless, maybe with a flip screen to see if I'm framed right etc!

Yeah I would say I've got the personality for it, and I've certainly got more than enough projects on the go to keep an audience of automotive engineering/motorsport enthusiasts happy, yeh I agree presenting it will be hard, but I'm all for a challenge.

[mash.]

If anyone has links to "competitors" lol vidoes, that would be good, I'm yet to see any 22 years old with their own workshop knees deep in 2 m3 race car projects, clio 197 megane conversion, 205gti sprint car

[Jerry Can]

vlog here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhbu-MG5-78

go to his youtube page and he also vlogs the races including commentary.

[The_Jackal]

Content is king. Untill you start producing stuff, you can't improve or know where you are going wrong.
Get your channel set up and get some videos up and show them here.
You will get plenty of feedback.

Edited by The_Jackal on Monday 18th September 20:30

[MURRAY007]

Best use your mobile for vlogging, I phone also has a feature for timelapse videos, so you can use that while fixing the car.

Your GoPros will only be good for different angles.

Audio is key to any video, people can watch a poor quality video if the Audio is on point, But watch a 4K video with bad sound, and I'm turning away,

With regards to vlogging, how comfortable are you talking into a camera with no one there?
it's not as easy as you think. it takes time,
Content is a big part, but your personality is more important than anything.

don't make a 10min video if it can be done in 3min.

try and plan what topic you'd like to talk about, don't wing it until you get really good.

filming is straight forward, change camera positions or background every 1 minute or so, it'll get boring if you watch a chap talking and nothing else is happening,

editing will take the longest, learn to delete all the pauses inbetween when you speaking,
imagine your talking to a friend whos behind the camera and your showing them what to do.

Also, while you might be in a position to have an exciting topic or content, NO ONE will see it, unless you have subscribers, a good thumbnail, searchable title, popular title, a good description of the video, hashtags, upload consistently, promote on all other social platforms. use copyright free music, etc etc etc

But your young and seem very eager. So good luck, am always happy to give tips.

AND incase anyone ask's yes I have a YouTube channel, and I Film promotional videos for companies to use on all social platforms.

[mash.]

MURRAY007 said:

Best use your mobile for vlogging, I phone also has a feature for timelapse videos, so you can use that while fixing the car.

Your GoPros will only be good for different angles.

Audio is key to any video, people can watch a poor quality video if the Audio is on point, But watch a 4K video with bad sound, and I'm turning away,

With regards to vlogging, how comfortable are you talking into a camera with no one there?
it's not as easy as you think. it takes time,
Content is a big part, but your personality is more important than anything.

don't make a 10min video if it can be done in 3min.

try and plan what topic you'd like to talk about, don't wing it until you get really good.

filming is straight forward, change camera positions or background every 1 minute or so, it'll get boring if you watch a chap talking and nothing else is happening,

editing will take the longest, learn to delete all the pauses inbetween when you speaking,
imagine your talking to a friend whos behind the camera and your showing them what to do.

Also, while you might be in a position to have an exciting topic or content, NO ONE will see it, unless you have subscribers, a good thumbnail, searchable title, popular title, a good description of the video, hashtags, upload consistently, promote on all other social platforms. use copyright free music, etc etc etc

But your young and seem very eager. So good luck, am always happy to give tips.

AND incase anyone ask's yes I have a YouTube channel, and I Film promotional videos for companies to use on all social platforms.

Brilliant, thank you for the response! some great stuff in there!

yeah cameras great on my s7 edge, would you recommend a mic with it aswell? its coming up to Christmas so might start looking at proper cameras to start making some "good quality" as in image quality lol) videos...

any cameras that you would recommend, probably want a good all rounder, videos, photos and not bank breaking!

[singlecoil]

mash. said:

would you recommend a mic with it aswell?

Get a lapel Lavalier mic and plug it into a recorder in your pocket. Start your recording with a couple of handclaps and use the sound of them to synchronise the good quality sound to the camera's sound in post, then delete the camera soundtrack.

Key to good sound in your context is to get the mic as close to your mouth as possible, that way the signal (your voice) to noise (everything else) ratio will be optimum.

[jas xjr]

take a look at the soup vlogs. for content and quality of the camera work is head and shoulders above the typical vlogger. having said that he is struggling for viewers.
from my perspective it is good enough for tv. sorry i cannot link to his videos, but there are links in the youtube thread. good luck

[Vocal Minority]

mash. said:

If anyone has links to "competitors" lol vidoes, that would be good, I'm yet to see any 22 years old with their own workshop knees deep in 2 m3 race car projects, clio 197 megane conversion, 205gti sprint car

Your age is immaterial as is the fact you own your own workshop - well done, you've obviously done well for yourself, but it doesn't actually make you an interesting proposition in isolation.

As said earlier - first thing is content. What is your USP? Are you doing how tos? A video diary? Will it be funny/aspirational/truly enormously detailed?

How will you get people interested - your personality may be great but how will that come across on screen? What is different about you that will make you stand out? What do the others not have that you do?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh, but YouTube is full of kids c0cking about, people trying to be clarkson and adenoidal bores spending 15 minutes talking about a captive bolt housing.

You need to stand out - and you need a pretty strong answer in your own head to those questions.

I do some broadcasting as a hobby - and live is ok - but honestly narration is bloody difficult - so get lots of practice in. Nothing weirder to listening to your voice, and nothing worse than the shuddering horror of how wooden you sound when reading from a script for the first time.

But practice will fix that.

Also narrate your everyday life at home alone (so people don't worry about you) - sounds dumb i know - but unless you are very gifted you will run dry and run dry fast - but once again you will overcome that with practice.

Do screenplays and Story board it if you have to.

Get your vision down on the paper in detail and give yourself a structure to work to.

You will find you get awfully lost awfully fast if you don't, and the outcome will be much better and you will like it more.

I hope you can get this nailed, just if you want results, take it seriously.

[MURRAY007]

mash. said:

yeah cameras great on my s7 edge, would you recommend a mic with it aswell? its coming up to Christmas so might start looking at proper cameras to start making some "good quality" as in image quality lol) videos...

any cameras that you would recommend, probably want a good all rounder, videos, photos and not bank breaking!

Mic wise, you can use a Lavalier Mic, but you will need another sound recorder if you use your phone to film.

Camera wise, best run and gun is Sony a5000, has a flip up screen so can frame yourself or subject, plus interchangeable lenses, films in 1080, in built mic is pretty good, (but no port for external mic) hence use your phone with lavalier mic.

[mash.]

Vocal Minority said:

Your age is immaterial as is the fact you own your own workshop - well done, you've obviously done well for yourself, but it doesn't actually make you an interesting proposition in isolation.

As said earlier - first thing is content. What is your USP? Are you doing how tos? A video diary? Will it be funny/aspirational/truly enormously detailed?

How will you get people interested - your personality may be great but how will that come across on screen? What is different about you that will make you stand out? What do the others not have that you do?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh, but YouTube is full of kids c0cking about, people trying to be clarkson and adenoidal bores spending 15 minutes talking about a captive bolt housing.

You need to stand out - and you need a pretty strong answer in your own head to those questions.

I do some broadcasting as a hobby - and live is ok - but honestly narration is bloody difficult - so get lots of practice in. Nothing weirder to listening to your voice, and nothing worse than the shuddering horror of how wooden you sound when reading from a script for the first time.

But practice will fix that.

Also narrate your everyday life at home alone (so people don't worry about you) - sounds dumb i know - but unless you are very gifted you will run dry and run dry fast - but once again you will overcome that with practice.

Do screenplays and Story board it if you have to.

Get your vision down on the paper in detail and give yourself a structure to work to.

You will find you get awfully lost awfully fast if you don't, and the outcome will be much better and you will like it more.

I hope you can get this nailed, just if you want results, take it seriously.

I would disagree it's a very interesting proposition, the potential is crazy! canne wait! I may come across as arrogant so sorry for that, but I'm truly not. but I agree it doesn't make "me" interesting but yeah as above!

I have quite figured out a specific, but a bit of everything, I'm light hearted, and kinda have good wit. The videos will include, fabrication, welding, body work, bolting st together, painting st, making st look shiny you name it.

I agree with writing it down, that's one thing I need to do, make it clear from the start!

[mash.]

MURRAY007 said:

Mic wise, you can use a Lavalier Mic, but you will need another sound recorder if you use your phone to film.

Camera wise, best run and gun is Sony a5000, has a flip up screen so can frame yourself or subject, plus interchangeable lenses, films in 1080, in built mic is pretty good, (but no port for external mic) hence use your phone with lavalier mic.

That looks just what I need mate!

thank you!!

[satans worm]

if you have a hot, age appropiate sister, stick her in a bikini and let her narrate, pretty sure it will give you the edge you need over other car vlogs

[MURRAY007]

satans worm said:

if you have a hot, age appropiate sister, stick her in a bikini and let her narrate, pretty sure it will give you the edge you need over other car vlogs

hahahah Click bait would equal 10k plus views.