HOW I MAKE REACTION VIDEOS 2021!!! 

can we get a updated 2023 version of this please nattie ? im just about to start recording my first movie reaction your a huge inspiration

Detailed timestamps for those who are interested: 00:00-2:31 Intro 2:32-3:36 Audio (i.e. the most important element): General Info 3:36-4:32 Audio: Using an iPhone/Smartphone (best for beginners) 4:33-6:37 Audio: Using a separate mic (buy a good quality one) 6:38-8:10 Audio: Recording reaction & movie audio separately 8:11-9:39 Lighting: General Info 9:39-12:35 Lighting: Soft Light (lights & flatters face) 12:36-14:11 Lighting: Practical Light (adds depth/color/interest to video background) 14:12-15:22 Lighting: Hair Light (lights hair/head/shoulders---Natalie doesn't generally use this one) 15:23-16:23 Cameras: General Info/Advice 16:24- 18:05 Cameras: Webcams 18:05-19:24 Cameras: Other Options 19:25-20:09 Filming: OBS Streamlabs software 20:10-20:18 Filming: Other Options 20:19-20:47 Filming: Syncing Audio 20:47-22:20 Editing: Use free/cheap software in the beginning 22:21-27:45 Editing: Tips for staying within Fair Use/avoiding copyright strikes 27:55-28:58 Outro Thanks, Natalie! It was neat to get an idea of how people make these things.

"React to the movie and record it later. Then edit" That was so helpful. I suspected that this is how it's done, but NOBODY talks about it....

Great to get to go behind the scenes of the Nattie G magic. No ears were damaged in the making of this video! 😃 So many things you've learned and changed along the way. I still remember your bulbs going out mid-reaction! Your mood light is fun to match up to the movie your watching. Great, informative video Nat. Thanks.

I love Brandon’s channel I’ve been following it just a little longer than I thought yours! Top quality content

Thanks for doing this, you actually answered a lot of the questions I had. I don't comment much but I just wanted to say that I love your channel and your videos always brighten my mood in these stressful days, so thank you!

Bravo. Typical Nat: thoughtful, kind and considerate.

This is the kind of video I have been wanting to see for a long time. Like you said nobody really goes into the details about how its made dealing with copyrights and what not, so thanks!

Thank you so much for this vid! It's great to see an in-depth video that explains EVERYTHING. Like you said, there are a ton of videos about how to edit, or what equipment/programs they use, but nothing about the 'dangers' of being a reactor and what to do to try an avoid being slapped with the copyright gauntlet. Anyway... back to watching ;)

This video is awesome!! You've answered so many questions that I've had about how to properly get started. Thank you for posting!

You're the only person who went into detail how you record your videos. Thank you. I enjoy your movie reactions!

This was amazing!! Answered a lot of my questions about longer form reaction videos. Thanks for the great video!!!

Great video! I always enjoy seeing the behind-the-scenes of how other people make their videos. It's especially great when they not only show, but also explain the "hows" and "whys" of their techniques. Good job!

Thanks so much for sharing! I enjoy your videos, and they are part of what is inspiring me to start a channel myself. I’ll probably do more commentary than reactions, but this has been so helpful!

Nice video Natalie. I like how you put things in simple terms and relatable scenarios. Keep up the awesome videos. Cheers!

I’ve been playing with the idea of doing my own and this was awesome to take in. I’ve been running a watch party page on Facebook and figured I might reinvent it as my reaction page. Thanks much!!!

This was so helpful, feel like I got a lot of great lighting tips for my videos, thanks Nat!

Always a good day when Natalie pops up. Fun to have an informative video. Congrats on the engagement

Thank you so much for this video!!! I have loved your channel since Star Wars and look forward to see new videos, they really make my day.

I've literally made all these mistakes lmao! Such a great video Nat. Thanks for sharing this viable information :)

Nat, i cannot tell you how much this helps! I just started back in December but alot of these tips will really assist me, especially the Fair Use information! There isnt alot of plain information out there. You are a national treasure!

This takes some of the mystery out of the process. Thanks so much! Love your stuff!

This is so interesting, thank you!!! 🥰I'm not going to be making videos but I loooove reaction videos so learning how they work is so fascinating.

I'm still on RU-vid because I've set boundaries for myself and have kept it fun for me. The instant it stops being that, I'll be done. Great advice Natalie!

Brandon Likes Movies is the man! Thanks for this video Nat!

The Thing was the first reaction video of yours I saw. Glad I found your channel (channels). Keep up the good work. 👍

Thank you so much for making this video! It’s been a lot of trial and error over on my channel but it’s also been a lot of fun.

Thank you so much Nat! Just starting my YT journey and wasn't sure how to get the reaction and movie recording separate. Also the editing part was very useful in regards to fair use. Again thank you!

You literally taught me about the clapper thing directors use! I never knew that! Awesome video!

ahhh I wish I saw this ages ago, been demotivated making reactions because of the effort it took but the tips you've said have given me hope :D thanks Nat!!

Thanks a lot for this video. I've been trying to figure this out and I learned so much more too.

Thank you for sharing with us what you do with your videos to try and avoid issues with copyright. I'mreally enjoy reactions and was thinking about doing some myself maybe next year but was scared about getting a strik and my channel take down. But your video really helped me figure out the basics and what to look out so. Thank you! :)

I wish I had this info months ago when I started my channel 😂😓 thank you for sharing!! Love your content

Is it really a Natalie video without crying or an "I'm sorry! What!?"

Starting up a knew channel and this helped quite abit, thankyou and sending love from London ❤

As for lighting, I bought a kit on Amazon that was $100 but it came with 4 light stands, including 2 umbrellas and 2 softboxes. It also came with a backdrop stand and 3 backdrops, white, black, and green. I've only used the green. That may be overkill for reaction videos but for mine I'm mainly standing up behind a table. I use the umbrellas to light the green screen and the softboxes for me.

i like all the tips and info that you gave especially the ones related to filmmaking/videography, like it kinda proves more of what my lecturer said about the importance of those stuff in filmmaking/videography and seeing how you did those for your vids does it for me and which might also been the reason why i love watching your vids cuz of good video quality overall + your whole talking thingy LMAO😅😂 also, it would be nice to see some vids or vlogs of you with Tyler (or just you) talking about more filmmaking/videography tips or doing some filmmaking stuff or something :D

Thanks, Nat, this helps a lot! I've been having all sorts of problems.

You and Brandon are my main reaction channels, nice

Thank you so much for this exactly what i was looking for! So helpful

Awesome and insightful video! I know the pain of having recorded both my mic and desktop audio through OBS. I had to scrap two reaction videos because of it. Ugh lol Love your reaction videos! You're an inspiration for my own channel. Keep up the fantastic work! :)

Thanx Natalie, I really appreciate you making this video. I really like your explosive yells, and your crying is a gem on your reactions. (Tony Stark dying) I'm just getting started and I'll be using your advice to really be good on my own channel. Again thank you.

Thanks Nat! Love your videos!

Great advice and video, love the clapping part and pro tip!

Thank you so much, so kind of you to share ❤

Very informative and helpful! Thank you, Nattie!!!!!

you're a queen for this thank you so much

Thank you for this one, Nat! I'm looking to start doing this as a hobby(not going to monitize)... So tips to avoid mistakes are appreciated.

This was awesome, thank you for sharing! 😃👍

My reaction when I pointed my ring light at my wall..... You're the best!!!

Thanks so much for all the information!

Thanks Nat. I am starting a film production company sometime this year and in movie after movie I see lighting mistakes. I was curious about sound and equipment. You saved me from six months of film school. Your presentation was like the Cliff's Notes version of film school. With that said, I want to hire you (in the future) as a voice talent on an animated movie and you answered my question today on what was needed-the animation or the recorded voices.

Great video. I learned a thing or two I didn't know. Thanks!

I didn’t know that about the click at the beginning of scenes in movies. That was cool! I use DaVinci Resolve for video editing, and I would probably recommend it for someone who is experienced with editing software and whose main issue is price!

Years ago, a "pop filter" was designed in recording studios by making a wire hanger into a hoop, about 4" - 6" diameter, then stretching a nylon stocking over it. This reduces some of the explosive word segments people say when talking or singing (sounds like "puh," "cuh" or "tuh"). It reduces air traveling over the microphone that causes sharp spikes in recording levels. When using one, it's critically important to NOT attach it to the mic, as it may transmit vibrations through to the mic. Modern recording studios still use them for voice actors and singers. Modern pop filters are a little more professional looking and only cost about $10, but they are still made the same way. It's not a miracle cure, but it tends to normalize spikes.

This was soooo helpful! My subs been asking for Hannibal reaction but I cannot get it pass copyright approval. After listening this, I might have found the reason why. Thanks sis❤

Rooms may reflect back sounds that increase the projection of sounds. For instance, if you "talk to" a wall, or window the sound might reflect back louder than you're saying it. By putting a sound absorbant barried between the wall and microphone, may reduce this reflection. Something soft like cardboard, or foam works, but the harder it is, like wood, or glass, the more it will reflect. Also, objects in the room may increase or decrease this reflection. A couch is soft, made with foam and cloth. A rug on the floor (not a short pile or berber carpet, but a tall pile) would likewise reduce reflective sounds. Hard objects like wooden shelves, and tile floors reflect sound and increase levels. Malls, hospitals, bathrooms and government buildings, no matter how low people talk, amp up any conversation. Why? Tile floors, metal and or glass, and possibly tile walls (in hospitals and bathrooms) reflect the sounds made within. I'm an interior designer by trade. Purpose or use for a room, are critical information for decisions of how a room is designed, and what furnishings go into it.

Thanks for sharing Nattie!

This is a very helpful video and I really thank you for being so open about your own success with your fans. My only question is how do you screen capture series like Mandalorian that are original from a platform and you can’t screen record?

Thank you for making this video! It was really informative and insightful, you definitely shed light on things like copyright strike. I was wondering how useful it is in your opinion to do things like flipping/darkening/editing the movie itself. I've seen that on quite a few channels, but I'm curious how much that helps.

I really wish I saw this about a year ago while building my horror channel reaction. I had to learn so much on my own. but I'm still glad to hear all the information thank you 😊

this is my first nataliegold video and shes great!

My favorite nat reaction... THE THING!!! We still got to get her into cobra kai in 2021.

I knew there was a window behind the camera. but Good Googly moogly, that window is HUGE! So Nat filmed herself talking about the lights, then went back and shot additional footage of the lights. I was wondering how video was playing but the camera lense was covered. Nat, when you mention your second channel, you make it seem like its only gamming, but I Think this is a lovely video, your main channel viewers would be interested in.

I very much appreciate your attention to these details. I guess I’m an easy audience though. As long as I can hear “grab a drink and grab a snack”, I am in. (Seriously, when you remind me I pause and do it.)

In OBS Studio, I record my desktop audio to tracks 1 & 2 and my mic to tracks 1 & 3, that way I have a synced and separate audio tracks.

Nice! I have a T6I. Canon rebel cameras do really well. I also appreciate how much you comment in your reactions. It’s a so entertaining and your highly enthusiastic laughing always makes my day. But everything you say is also so constructive. What kind of work does your fiancé do? I am a film student and always love to see other people’s work.

I'm a sound engineer for live events. Ideally you would set your gain for your mic so that it can handle anything from a whisper to a jet engine, but a $100 mic isn't going to be able to cope with recording a jet engine, so we compromise! And on that, I'd like to suggest having two mics recording at the same time. One with a lower sensitivity/gain (or further away) so that if you blow out your normal mic while screaming, you can simply mix in/out the mics to suit the required sensitivity while editing. I've done this before manually mixing live broadcast a few times. Smooth fades and people won't even hear the change! The alternative is to get a single mic with a high SPL tolerance and then run that through a compressor.. but that's just making things expensive AND complicated. You do you, though! Love what you do and how you do it. I just love trying new things, because you never know! - An Australian fan

Silently we watch. And we enjoy your videos. You see nothing, but you have a happy audience.

sorry if you've answered this already, but how do you record the film/series(with audio)? and do you compress your videos to reduce file size? if so, how? thanks in advance! this video was super helpful :)

Coincidence that you post this the day before I'm planning to film my first reaction to WandaVision? :) Thanks for the tips!

4:09 In my film classes they would tell us if you're filming inside to unplug the refrigerator while you film because it makes noise. For my screen captured videos (software tutorials mostly) I bought a Blue Snowball but I found it on ebay for $30. The seller said her son used it once then never again. 😂 It works great for me.

Just came across this and its helpful but would love to see you doing the actual editing part so can see how it actually happens. Want to try do a bit of reactions to help with my mental health thanks

I had no idea how much I didn’t know about filming a reaction video. I was impressed with myself when I sent my sister a 20 second birthday clip with my iPhone. lol

Great vid🧡 I have a question, If you record your reaction and the video you reacting seperately (so you can edit sound and image seperately), how do you sync it if you pause throughout the reaction when/if needed?? Or the only option is to sync it at the beggining and then not pause? 😩

YOUR LITTERALY AMAZING

Hey Nati! Quick question, you said you record the movie after. What program do you use for recording the movie? I’ve been stuck on figuring out how to do it. Thanks!

Really enjoyable watch very interesting indeed and will definitely help anyone wanting to get into reacting without a doubt 👍 I see your tissue box is looking a little sparce you haven't been crying have you Nat 😉😃

great video Nat

Have you considered a double mic setup? Record with a close mic (most likely a lavelier) set to a comfortable level for your ordinary speech volume, and set up a second mic at a slight distance with lower input settings to capture louder moments with minimum peaking/overload. It would mean editing between the two channels but it should be easy to identify the loud moments from the audio waveform, and there shouldn't be any phasing issues if you're only actually using one track in the edit at any time. Definitely a luxury rather than a necessity, but just a potential route if you really want to maximise audio quality :) Also, a lot of sound recorders (or sound recording software) allows for dual recording, recording two tracks - one your normal input setting and a second set to a lower input level. It doesn't quite fix awful blown out audio, but I commonly use this as a commercial filmmaker in interview scenarios where I want to maximise the key input level, but also want a backup recorded at -6 or -12db lower than the key input level just in case.

Sorry for commenting so much, but I guess you're used to that! I just wanted to say thank you very much, definitely going to watch this with my son who like you is a chatterbox when it comes to watching films! He's a little young to be doing this sort of thing but he does TikTok and will probably tell me he knows it all already but I don't! I have shied away from putting myself on camera to this point, I use a slideshow sort of approach because I felt that was a good way to avoid copyright issue. I've had the odd claim but typically where my commentary was a similar length to the original episode so I guess the algorithm thought the frames were close enough that I was copying the episode. I've pushed back on a fair use basis and the claims have been rescinded so that was good. I now tend to try and keep more concise to avoid that problem. If I could ask, when you say you record the films separately, how do you do that? I generally use DVDs and just screen shot them while I take notes but it would be nice to be able to be a bit more dynamic. Thanks for producing this, I wasn't even looking for this topic but I had your Serenity reaction recommended and very much enjoyed it, I've lost track of how many times I've watched it. I do love Whedon's work. OK, stream of consciousness done!

I have been recording video game let's plays and the Blue Yeti Nano is what I've been using. It took me a while to figure out the right settings in OBS Studio to make the mic work for my quiet voice without picking up background noise. I started off with the built in webcam and mic on my laptop but eventually upgraded to a little Logitech HD webcam, the Blue Yeti Nano, and now recently got a 3.5" ring light (that's surprisingly powerful!) that comes on a gooseneck clamp stand that also can hold my Logi webcam! And all of these have been very affordable. It's a shame I didn't get myself a light until just the last few weeks! Editing is the only thing I don't do for my let's plays, since the free program on Windows can't edit .mkv files and make my video files larger when I export them, which then makes videos take waaaaaaaaay longer to upload to RU-vid since my internet sucks. Internet quality is the main reason why I just don't bother with certain things, sadly.

This was very helpful thank you for creating this! I was curious about promotion, do you just rely on youtube/algorithm or did you promote externally on social media, etc?

Also, EpochCam Pro by Elgato gives you the possibility to use your phone with OBS pretty easily, and it's dirt cheap!

Don't know if it works for a reaction video setup, but in obs or streamlabs obs you can record different audio sources (mic, desktop) to different audio channels at the same time that should show up separately in your video editing software.

thanks for doing this!

I was so concerned when you pulled out the gloves 🤣 I was like… ma’am I think they scammed you 😅 but yes, you can totally DIY that

Isn't your Blue Yeti Nano a "side address" microphone? You seem to have the top pointed at your mouth but it is actually recording out of the side - so it is actually pointed at your lap. For better sound, point the front (side) of the mic at your mouth and make sure the pattern is set to cardioid (the bean shape) so it isn't recording all of the reverb off of your window. Great video. Thanks for the behind the scenes peak!

Hey Natalie,I was wondering how many hours it takes to edit? ps:loves your videos!!

Hello Natalie, please could you share how you record the footage from the film? Thanks!

I've got a Blue Snowball, it's a spherical microphone but sound seems OK - about half the price of the Yeti at least here in the UK? I started using what I had to hand which was a headphones mic which was pretty variable, and I'm being generous, so I would definitely endorse what you're saying about getting a decent mic as a starting point. Now it would just help if I had a laptop that wasn't ancient!

Just uploaded my first reaction video!!! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks for all the great info! How do you record the movie itself that you're recording, tho? I tried using Quicktime to record the screen but there's no audio.

how can I record the movie / movie audio by itself if OBS always blocks out the visuals for the movie or show in the capture screen through obs.. any tips ?

Hey Nat, are you still using the t3i for filming it did you upgrade? Also, are you using the Canon Webcam Utility software via usb or going the clean capture hdmi route?

Do you have like a default Pitch and Volume Change that you use when editing your videos? Like what is the sweet spot you've found?

THAAANKS!!

Very helpful, thank you 🙏

in obs you can you can separate tracks so you can have youre video on one track and audio in another that's what i do!

Question. So I am probably going to record video on my iPhone, and audio onto my laptop (not a Mac) using a decent mic. So OBS stream labs can be used to record audio tracks onto but not to edit on? Would I need to dump the video and audio into a separate editing program? And if so, would it be better to just record audio into something like audacity and then edit in some freeware editing software?