As someone who is trying to grow a small RU-vid channel but also KEEP the platform as a creative outlet for my own personal expression, a lot of the things you're talking about resonate with me. There's always a constant pressure to post more consistently, capitalize on trending topics, think about the thumbnail and title till the ends of the earth, etc, etc - and while I absolutely think those things are necessary if you want to grow on here, focusing on those things too much makes trying to grow on here feel like a chore sometimes. I started posting on RU-vid because I love creating things and sharing them with others. It gives me joy, and I enjoy creating most when it DOESN'T feel like work. For me the "hustle" - as you described it - can make it feel like that. I'm still trying to figure out how to balance forward progress and keeping my passion for it alive at the same time. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙏🏾
I found the biggest challenge with RU-vid was knowing how to make a good video is different than knowing how to make a good RU-vid video. And it's easy to fall into the trap of making something about the thing you want to make, rather than just making the thing you want to make. I found myself doing that in different ways time and time again. Sometimes I think it'd be easier if I took my skills and started a new channel in any niche except filmmaking. Would definitely love to hear more about making art and creations as you put it.
Im starting to see this narrative pop up more and im seeing it more as a personal problem rather a RU-vid problem. So idk why it keeps getting masked in an issue with RU-vid.. It's like people complain about IG when in reality it's made it easier than ever to get booked and seen.. it's a tool. Personally, RU-vid has made my creativity explode and has open the path for me to tackle my bigger goals. I think the next big filmmakers will come from these type of platforms. To compared the top dogs rn.. who started and grew in a time where the internet wasnt even a thing... is not fair to us and the generation to come. Overall I think people need to just stop comparing themselves to everything and to focus on their work and creating unique work that will get seen by the people who need to see it.
I think we are on the same page here. Just worded a little differently. Use it as a platform and try not to consume so much that it can put you in a comparison trap. Separate your art from the youtuber identity and the commerce. Just a perspective for people that haven't found what you have yet. Its an easy thing to lust after .
I completely agree with you man. Lately I’ve realized my personal issue with most social platforms is theres too many opinions thrown at me at once. Which i know is contradictory because my comment in itself is an opinion lol. But I’ve realized what inspires me on the internet is art. Not opinions. Opinions can be expressed through art, but heavy handed, direct opinions flying at me from every direction does nothing for me. It doesn’t help when one of my favorite RU-vidrs makes a video saying “don’t become a RU-vidr” and then another makes one saying “why you should start a RU-vid channel in 2024.” lol. This is a personal problem though, not a RU-vid problem. What I’m trying to say is, we all can agree that social platforms are best used with purpose and intention.
Interesting. I have been "meaning" to start a youtube channel for about 6 years now as a creative outlet and content business but recently my plans have been leaning much more toward splitting my efforts, on one hand focussing on the creative sid of things, and as a separate entity, the business (with a separate youtube presence focussing the audience toward elearning courses to maximise income from my youtube efforts). The more time goes by with this current wave of 'youtubers quitting' I'm definitely leaning more toward that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Refreshing honesty. Keep it up. You're a RU-vid success as far as I'm concerned. Watching your videos, I've thought, he's as good as the best DPs, and he's doing it alone -- in his house! Here's a Thoreau quote for you: "Do what you know you ought to do. Why should we ever go abroad, even across the way, to ask a neighbor's advice? There is a nearer neighbor within us incessantly telling us how we should behave. But we wait for the neighbor without to tell us of some false, easier way."
You're right, it's tough to draw the line between content and art. I agree it is all about discipline and being authentically you when it comes to creating something meaningful like films. I struggle with having my videos grab the attention of a wider audience. Yet, I still enjoy making them because there a representation of my ever-evolving filmmaking voice. Currently sitting at 327 subs, but I'm still loving this roller coaster ride of a filmmaker's journey. 😁✌🏻🎥
Really appreciated this insight Spenser. I feel like if you zoom out and decide what you truly want to do it cuts out all the noise and distractions that can be there (like youtube, or starting a filter company in my case lol). I needed this reminder right now so thanks!
With our perspectives I think we could have a really interesting conversation on RU-vid and creativity. This seems pretty accurate for creatives who are considering posting on RU-vid without RU-vid being their end goal for video projects
I had a similar realisation in the middle of last year. I have so few hours in the day and I can either spend them making RU-vid videos regularly enough to grow an audience or I can focus on collaborating with other filmmakers to hone my craft.
"I'm going to talk about the topic anyways" 😆 Vistek in Canada also touched on the "are we youtubers or artists" just a few days ago. Might be worth a look.
im about a year in, still figuring things out here. I think I mainly started because I changed career from videography work to what I actually have my degree in lol. but still have the urge to use my camera gear and talk about it. so far its scratching the itch I'm needing right now
Did you shoot this video on the Canon R7? It says so on the description. But I’m not sure. Looks fantastic. I’ve seen a lot of great footage shot with the R7, it has a really pretty image, organic and more importantly it has a really nice motion cadence Similar to a red or an Alexa. I think I’m gonna rent one and play with it. Dude you need to move to California or Florida to get out of that seasonal depression funk. I honestly don’t know how people do it in those dreary winter locations like Oklahoma. No offense it’s a great place but man the winters are brutal. And everything is brown always. Would be nice if they painted a little more color around town.
It’s sort of a weird dichotomy. One one hand, we have more opportunities as filmmakers to make things that could be seen and enjoyed by a larger audience than we could have ever done on our own. But at the same time, you can easily get caught up in the strategy or chasing virality or sustainability that you end up becoming successful but not at the thing you’re passionate about. I had a RU-vid channel as a kid and it was a fantastic way for me to learn how to make better videos and put them out there for people to watch. At some point I started trying to grow the channel more and ended up making a lot of videos that I didn’t enjoy and I got burned out. The question is, how can take advantage of the potential benefit and audience we can gain to watch our films or other creative projects without getting sucked into the “content” creation mindset? I’m trying to use short form (a medium I’m not really a fan of but has a huge audience) to tell stories and to gain an audience that will be excited to watch my films. I’m setting some boundaries and trying to make sure that I enjoy the videos that I make. I really enjoyed your video and the insight you have given! I can’t wait to see what you’re going to create this year!
I’ve been focused on pursuing my filmmaking career for a while but I’ve been yearning to start a RU-vid channel. I think I will be soon, I’ve planned the titles of the first twenty videos. The reason it’s taken so long is what you mention, how do you do it by keeping your real passion priority number one and not letting YT take over. I think my plan is what RU-vid seems to be leaning towards, less edited, more authentic videos like this one where you’re talking to the audience like a friend. It seems less time+energy consuming, and more useful. You can pursue your work and talk about the things that are interesting and useful in the pursuit of your passion rather than be a snake eating it’s own tail making content in the context of only being a successful RU-vidr. If you’re in the filmmaking space of YT you have to be walking the talk, being a FILMMAKER, and you’re a good example of walking the talk Spenser!
I feel like in the last four years I was trying to make films that I thought might be popular and I neglected what I wanted to make, I’ve since focused on cutting out personal projects that I wasn’t truly passionate about. As a result I’m currently writing a feature script I’m incredibly proud of and plan to direct. I found when the well our inspiration pours from is poisoned, we have to empty it to make it pure again. It’s a process of reinvention, you have to set boundaries for what types of work you’re willing to produce because it will effect the whole. You have an audience who enjoys your work, but you know better than them what’s right for you to make your work better and you much more fulfilled, in the long run your true fans will support your toughest decisions.
I find that people are all copying each other. Especially youTube persons that have more subs and views - but just like everything, they are also copying mistakes. Especially mistakes that are the feature on some and when someone copies it, its no longer a feature, it comes off as mistake. There was a day when you could spot an ameteur because they had "jump" cuts. But the whole retention video thing, puts their videos into making an infomercial every week - And the sheer work involved for that kind of video, I think hurts the actual content. Its like an overly produced piece of music, for most great songs - just playing it on an acoustic guitar and singing it - you should be able to hear a great song. A film is the same - adding CGI and fancy editing, won't make it better without a compelling story.
2024 resolution… thank others for the insane amount of work they’ve put into this space. There are several channels including yours that have made me hungry to learn more about creating. I’m glad you’re here, I’m grateful for your willingness to teach, the creativity that you’re inspiring, and I’m looking forward to what you create in the future. 🤙🤘
Is RU-vid your main source of revenue ? I’m noticing all camera RU-vid channels are posting this same video right now, in regards to not wanting to do it any more.
@@sotocine99 RU-vid is a time suck, but can be very rewarding financially when you reach a certain level. RU-vid pays more than photography x10. So RU-vid will win over most peoples passions.
the majority of your videos dont crack 15k views. youre not just speaking as a youtuber, you’re speaking from one thats not very successful from it. There are thousands of pages that get 100k+ views that speak the opposite.
