2. • 'Cancelled Game Consoles', is a video made by YouTuber 'Scott The Woz' who focuses only on video essays surrounding video games, or
anything related to them.
• It has a very unique and standout style, something that would only fit with this kind of video, he mixes commentary, his own live action
videos, pictures, and clips, all as visual representation.
• Something that stands out the most with his videos is his Script work. It's clear that he thoroughly thinks through his delivery, what's going
to be on the screen at any particular time, and what exactly the editing is going be, this is all so clear when you watch anyone of his videos,
because they all flow together so well. He mainly only cuts to live videos of himself for comedic effect, but it's still very much connected to
what he says in the commentary.
• He also uses things like borders and a variety of different pictures and colours for the background, which assists in keeping the video look
visually pleasing.
Examples of what some editing style is like:
• Zooms in slowly on pictures, while a blurred version of the same picture is in the background
• Audio editing like cutting up the commentary and placing it in various parts of the videos
• Moving text and text transitions
• Smooth video/picture transitions (pictures quickly zooming into frame to replace what was in the old frame)
• Very light video graphics, (pictures moving side to side, text popping in and out of frame)
• What I learn from this is, it's possible to present the viewer with a subject, or question, and address it in so many different ways within the
same video. While at the same time, keeping it entertaining, funny, and quick paced, while he has much longer videos than this one, the
amount of information and editing he can cover in 9 minutes gives me confidence that it's very possible if you know what to do.
• He does enough visually to keep people watching a video about a subject that they otherwise wouldn't really care about.
4. 'Tales From TheVarus' a video made by Internet Historian is a very unique video. Much like every video he makes. They're all video essays with a
slight twist.
His style is very special and easily recognisable, for a few reasons.
• His videos feature no videos of himself talking to a camera, everything that features just him, is only his commentary. Which is just as
entertaining than if he was just talking to a camera, if anything this style is much better, it allows for more creativity, and MUCH more editing.
• He uses articles, videos, screenshots, and pictures as evidence and visual representation.
• While the commentary is very entertaining, that’s not all his videos feature. They feature a VAST amount of editing, things like:
• audio editing, (sound effects, different commentary clips)
• photoshopped images that have been edited to move around and act like characters.
• Music in the background
• Videos, clips, and pictures all being meshed together to make a coherent, constantly moving video.
• Zooms in on videos and pictures
• Videos/pictures being used for visual representation
• Light video graphics. (pictures popping up all over the frame, JPG's moving into frame, text moving around, etc)
To name a few
He presents the viewer with a topic they may be familiar with, but he approaches it in such a new and unique way, while also going deeper and
telling the viewers, new and fresh perspectivestories that they may not know about. And, it's constantly entertaining and funny, every single one
of the videos have reply value, and I think it's because of two main reasons
• The videos always have something going on, no matter how long the video is, or what the subject matter is, videos and pictures are always
being flashed on the screen. Watching it is an almost addictive nature.
• The commentary is fast and interwoven with the video, which means it may take viewers multiple watches to realise that they might've
missed a few things.
6. 'The Importance of Near in Death Note' is a much bare bones and simplistic style of video essay.
While still completely watchable, it's definitely got much less in terms of editing and pacing.
The structure of the video is pretty simple and easy to understand, a short 30 second-ish intro, then it gets to the main point of
the video, which lasts for around 8 minutes, then a breif outro with a simple and easy to understand recap of what you just
watched (think of something like a TL;DR)
The background of the video is only really clips from the show that it's talking about, there's basically nothing outside of that.
The commentary is constant and never really stops, which isn't really a bad thing since the creator of the video really just
wanted to get his point across, and it does help that it's sometimes funny, so it isn't just a lifeless husk of a video that you don't
really enjoy watching.
Theres some very light editing used in the video
Such as:
• Zooming into the frame (only used one time in the intro)
• A variety of clips that are lightly connected to what the video author is talking about
• A few clips from the manga the shows based on
I'm looking at this particular video for a multitude of reasons:
• It's a lot simpler, it presents the viewer with a statement and then they give evidence to back up their claims, using a few
clips form the media they're discussing.
• There isn't as much editing, there isn't even any background music. I wanted to look at a stripped-down version of this video
format, more as a good starting point, to see what the very bare minimum should at least be.
8. This is a much more formal video with a budget, it's a part of a series that’s owned by a pretty big company, so it's
obvious that the production value, special effects and audio are all going to be much more polished and finalised.
Still though, there's a lot to pick apart, and some things I can look at including in my own project, largely because my
own video essay project is going to cover the exact subject matter that this one does.
Some of the biggest editing stand outs to me included:
• The presenter was made to look like he was in a video game. Often in the style of the game they're talking about,
(if he's talking about an 8-bit game, the presenter will have an 8-bit effect put over him, it’s a good way of adding
extra polish to the final product)
• A vast amount of special effects are used, (moving and animated text with a font of a well-known known video
game title, a fully rendered and premade video game for the video setting to take place in. )
• Custom made and remixed audio effects, that have been made by people who are well rounded in that
department.
A few things on the production side I noticed, they included fully researched and backed up points to fully support
their arguments, while these articles and such are never really directly shown on screen (some animated graphs are
used from time to time, they do tell us visually where they got the source information from, for the viewers that
want to research the subject for themselves.
In addition they brought in an actual researcher on video games to bring in his own evidence and claims as an extra
layer of affirmation.
10. Lastly, I felt the need to go look for a video that went in DEPTH something that covers EVERYTHING about the subject
matter, while also making varies points and backing them up with evidence as well as personal experiences.
While being such a gargantuan video there isn't going to be quite as musch editing in here when compared to some of
the previous examples, however, there is still a very solid amount here to keep the viewer completely engaged and
interested.
Some light examples of editing and production I liked
• A complete collage of videos/screenshots from various outsourced media to bring together a finalised and coherent
point.
• The commentary is a lot of the video, it's obviously been done in parts with multiple takes, which makes for a much
better and enjoyable product, it's witty, funny, and informative when it has to be, sometimes all three.
• Theres zoom transitions, audio transitions, as well as audio levelling, leaving a complete feeling to all the audio
included. (this is especially impressive when you consider the amount of outsourced audio is actually
included here)
• A connection between the script and visuals were both clearly thought through while both were being put together.
After watching a video like this, I have a pretty good idea of the major points that were made, and some stuff I found
less interesting that could've easily been skipped for me. I could think of a few ways to really shorten down the points
to no more than a minute while also connecting them to a few other points, just to make up for the MUCH shorter run
time that my own project will have.
12. Research summary:
• Major take always from this wave of research (all of which I hope to include elements of in my own project):
• Relatively fast paced video editing, whether it be in the commentary, or just the clips/screenshots being used for visual representation; it's
always good to have something going on, visually, at all times, it's a subtle and easy way of keeping people hooked to at least one element of
the video.
• Visual representation is very important in video essays or documentaries like this, be sure to include them frequently to back up your points.
• Theres almost like a skeleton to the commentary audio, the absolute stripped-down version of it is just having a single commentary track with
absolutely nothing else going on. It gives an empty and isolated feeling that could be used to create a certain atmosphere if that’s something
that I aim to achieve. The next few parts of the commentary skeleton is: Having very light background music to keep the viewers' attention
hooked, it helps to have at least two or three different tracks, depending on the video length. Lastly, it's things like sound effects, and audio
altering being played at the right times to coincide with the visuals.
• Having different editing techniques REALLY helps even out the video and gives it a more professional feel for example:
• Animated text (nothing too fancy, just give the text a good-looking font, and animate it to move over a moving background, it's
very visually pleasing and should leave an impression on the audience.
• Moving pictures and zoom effects, they just add a certain kind of flare to the video that would otherwise be absent, they don't always
have to be overdone, just appear every so often to remind the viewer of the context of whatever it is you're addressing.
• Having occasional subtitles, they bring the viewers back in if you suspect they might start to lose interest. They can also be used for
comedic effect, or if you have a good quality point that you REALLY want to get across.
• Timing. This is probably the most important thing, if the timing of the script, or visuals is off, it can render most of the video redundant,
because it's not as concise, and not as fun to watch. This also applies to things like comedic/dramatic timing, if you put it in at the
wrong place, or if you've never even established any of those tones prior, it can throw the whole video off, and leave the viewers
confused.
• Also having a clear subject matter, it's a given, but if you stray too far away from your established point, the video no longer makes sense and
gives a bad impression. So if you're outsourcing clips or audio, connect it back to your actual point.
13. Bibliography:
• The Truth about Video Games and Violence - Adam Ruins Everything - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzaI3IsCuko&t=183s
• Channel - truTV
• Cancelled Game Consoles - Scott The Woz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS7u2skk_Qg&t=370s
• Channel - Scott The Woz
• Tales From TheVarus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rRIqrWuYy4&t=397s
• Channel - Internet Historian
• The Importance of Near in Death Note | Death Note Analysis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN4fBYe2tjw
• Channel – Kato
• The Witcher 2 - A Grand Experiment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htYR2GdA7OE&t=61s
• Channel – Joseph Anderson
Notes de l'éditeur
Context affects what is produced, how it is produced and who can produce it.
Technology is part of the context. Early fanzines were hand made because there was no InDesign or Photoshop. Web-series simply didn’t existing because the web didn’t exist.
People who don’t have access to jobs in mainstream media, to become journalists or editors, might produce work independently of that system.
People who don’t see themselves or their interests being represented in main stream media, might produce something that represents them or their social group.
The political situation will influence what someone decides to make. The cultural situation will influence what people make.
Every media text is a product of its environment, just like people.
Style: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance
characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
For example, a podcast could be two people talking, it could be interviews and a voice over, it could just be a recording of a teaching session… how it is done, is the style.
Techniques:
How are these things being made? What methods are being used? Find out and also use your own experience. For example, is a fanzine being hand written or word processed? How do people making a web series set up their shooting spaces? The more you can find out about technique, the more you can get ideas for your own work.
Content:
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
What is actually in this product? Break it down. Is it interviews, monologues, reviews, instructions… Identify the different types of content in the items you research, to help your own ideas.
Context affects what is produced, how it is produced and who can produce it.
Technology is part of the context. Early fanzines were hand made because there was no InDesign or Photoshop. Web-series simply didn’t existing because the web didn’t exist.
People who don’t have access to jobs in mainstream media, to become journalists or editors, might produce work independently of that system.
People who don’t see themselves or their interests being represented in main stream media, might produce something that represents them or their social group.
The political situation will influence what someone decides to make. The cultural situation will influence what people make.
Every media text is a product of its environment, just like people.
Style: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance
characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
For example, a podcast could be two people talking, it could be interviews and a voice over, it could just be a recording of a teaching session… how it is done, is the style.
Techniques:
How are these things being made? What methods are being used? Find out and also use your own experience. For example, is a fanzine being hand written or word processed? How do people making a web series set up their shooting spaces? The more you can find out about technique, the more you can get ideas for your own work.
Content:
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
What is actually in this product? Break it down. Is it interviews, monologues, reviews, instructions… Identify the different types of content in the items you research, to help your own ideas.
Context affects what is produced, how it is produced and who can produce it.
Technology is part of the context. Early fanzines were hand made because there was no InDesign or Photoshop. Web-series simply didn’t existing because the web didn’t exist.
People who don’t have access to jobs in mainstream media, to become journalists or editors, might produce work independently of that system.
People who don’t see themselves or their interests being represented in main stream media, might produce something that represents them or their social group.
The political situation will influence what someone decides to make. The cultural situation will influence what people make.
Every media text is a product of its environment, just like people.
Style: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance
characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
For example, a podcast could be two people talking, it could be interviews and a voice over, it could just be a recording of a teaching session… how it is done, is the style.
Techniques:
How are these things being made? What methods are being used? Find out and also use your own experience. For example, is a fanzine being hand written or word processed? How do people making a web series set up their shooting spaces? The more you can find out about technique, the more you can get ideas for your own work.
Content:
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
What is actually in this product? Break it down. Is it interviews, monologues, reviews, instructions… Identify the different types of content in the items you research, to help your own ideas.
Context affects what is produced, how it is produced and who can produce it.
Technology is part of the context. Early fanzines were hand made because there was no InDesign or Photoshop. Web-series simply didn’t existing because the web didn’t exist.
People who don’t have access to jobs in mainstream media, to become journalists or editors, might produce work independently of that system.
People who don’t see themselves or their interests being represented in main stream media, might produce something that represents them or their social group.
The political situation will influence what someone decides to make. The cultural situation will influence what people make.
Every media text is a product of its environment, just like people.
Style: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance
characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
For example, a podcast could be two people talking, it could be interviews and a voice over, it could just be a recording of a teaching session… how it is done, is the style.
Techniques:
How are these things being made? What methods are being used? Find out and also use your own experience. For example, is a fanzine being hand written or word processed? How do people making a web series set up their shooting spaces? The more you can find out about technique, the more you can get ideas for your own work.
Content:
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
What is actually in this product? Break it down. Is it interviews, monologues, reviews, instructions… Identify the different types of content in the items you research, to help your own ideas.
Context affects what is produced, how it is produced and who can produce it.
Technology is part of the context. Early fanzines were hand made because there was no InDesign or Photoshop. Web-series simply didn’t existing because the web didn’t exist.
People who don’t have access to jobs in mainstream media, to become journalists or editors, might produce work independently of that system.
People who don’t see themselves or their interests being represented in main stream media, might produce something that represents them or their social group.
The political situation will influence what someone decides to make. The cultural situation will influence what people make.
Every media text is a product of its environment, just like people.
Style: The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance
characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
For example, a podcast could be two people talking, it could be interviews and a voice over, it could just be a recording of a teaching session… how it is done, is the style.
Techniques:
How are these things being made? What methods are being used? Find out and also use your own experience. For example, is a fanzine being hand written or word processed? How do people making a web series set up their shooting spaces? The more you can find out about technique, the more you can get ideas for your own work.
Content:
The material, including text and images, that constitutes a publication or document.
What is actually in this product? Break it down. Is it interviews, monologues, reviews, instructions… Identify the different types of content in the items you research, to help your own ideas.
Write down a summary of the key things you have learned in this research, that will help you with your project. Short sentences and bullet points are acceptable.