Ideal Flying Video?

Jon Weiswasser

Jon Weiswasser

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J Weiswasser
What would you consider to be the IDEAL flying video? What kind of content other than the actual flying and piloting part of the process matters most to you? Would you want to see the planning part or is that boring? Is 20-30 minutes too long?

I've seen other popular videos, and I'm trying to create something with some nugget of truth or knowledge to it by trying to capture the whole process - the decisions and planning, as well as the actual flying. I am also throwing in a little about the purpose of each trip. It is a vlog, so I am committed to filming every time I INTEND on flying; IFR, VFR, good, bad, ugly... even the times I cancel.

Please check out the channel and tell me honestly what you like or don't like about the concept. I'm not doing this for money or anything other than for the love of flying and for contributing to a community which I have been a part of for 26 years.

Here's the trailer:

There are four episodes posted with a new one going up every other week. Here's a link to the channel where you can find them:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9CTZjYXYBMCrKLCXdOaMqQ?view_as=subscriber
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
No right answer. You just have to be able to get people's attention and keep it.
Lemme know when you figure out how to do that.
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Wow. So I take it you don't care for my videos. Can you be more specific about what you don't like or find objectionable?
 
PaulS said:
He didn't say that, but you really do need a thick skin.
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I'm aware of the thick skin - BELIEVE me. But the way that was worded suggested that, at present, what I have created is not "able to capture people's attention." So, in the spirit of accepting constructive criticism and the desire to make a better product (which takes a considerable amount of time), I simply wanted some clarification.
 
donjohnston said:
If 100 people watch your video and 95 like it, you may hear something positive from one person. But you will hear from all five that don't.

I'm guessing it's not much different than the music biz.
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AMEN
 
Jon Weiswasser said:
Wow. So I take it you don't care for my videos. Can you be more specific about what you don't like or find objectionable?
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He also makes lots of videos, I believe he was being ironic or somewhat self-deprecating.. he's putting himself in your shoes, that when you figure out how to keep someone's attention and the perfect formula to let him know..

IE, there is no secret sauce

It's cliche but just be yourself, and make your videos as if you were talking to a small group of friends who are interested in what you have to say. When it's genuine it'll grow..

Goodluck and cheers
 
Got it. THANK YOU! Yeah - I think I may have misread his post.
 
When I make a video, it's primarily to show my immediate family how I'm squandering their inheritance.
Secondarily it's to show my extended family I still can, and that they are all geezers, ready to be shuttled off to the nursing home or dog track depending on their circumstances.
It's also a secret message to a group of people who NEVER leave their studies to actually rub elbows with the folks out in the real world.
 
And to answer your questions, since no one else has yet:

Jon Weiswasser said:
What would you consider to be the IDEAL flying video?
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-good shots of flying, with not much music or if there is music leaving the air traffic control and ambient sound mixed in

-don't be too full of yourself there are lots of aviation videos out there I can't stand because it seems more like an ego stroke fest. @motoadve has great videos

-something a little different, got a cool plane, or cool local airport, or some new piece of tech you want to try out? That's something people would be interested in

Jon Weiswasser said:
What kind of content other than the actual flying and piloting part of the process matters most to you?
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-outside shots, views of the scenery
-good to learn from others, so while they don't have to be educational or instructional, always nice to hear other's tips and tricks

Jon Weiswasser said:
Would you want to see the planning part or is that boring?
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-unless you're flying into someplace different like Aspen, Telluride, Catalina, Gay Head, or doing something else a little unusual, then I would consider it boring

Jon Weiswasser said:
Is 20-30 minutes too long?
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Yes. at least personally, most of the YouTube channels I watch and follow enjoy keep their content to around 8-12 minutes

These are just my personal preferences. But check out Mustard at YouTube or Just Plane Silly, or motoadve's videos on YouTube as well for at least what I like to see in the way of aviation videos..

On the flip side, I absolutely cannot stand Niko's Wings
 
Lots of editing. "If in doubt, cut it out." A lot of people hate music in flying videos... I'm not one of them, unless the music is drowning out the wonderful sound of a big radial engine. But carefully selected music can make a video less boring, especially if you carefully fade it (and the background noise) in and out.

But the most popular aviation videos today have pretty girls in them...
 
Dana said:
Lots of editing. "If in doubt, cut it out." .
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This! Figure out what story you're telling, then edit, edit, edit. Every word, every shot, every sound should be relevant to your topic; if it's not then cut it. If you're doing a voice over, practice it until it's fluid. I like vids that focus on one topic at a time. You want to discuss route planning, then that's the topic. Tie your planning into the actual flight and stay on point. If you want to discuss weather, then stick to weather. Also think about your audience for each vid. Are you talking to students who are just trying to wrap their heads around not falling out of the sky or are you wanting to speak to more advance pilots? Pick a point of view for the vid and stick with it.

These recommendations are just my preferences. I don't think there is one RIGHT WAY to do anything so be creative and have fun!
 
I have watched all of your videos Jon, and will watch more. I think you're doing a good job and wouldn't suggest changing anything at this point. Lots of guys make 20-30 minute vids, and maybe there are many that won't watch them, or don't have the time, but there are others that will. If everyone was doing the same thing, only a few would be happy!
 
Jon Weiswasser said:
Wow. So I take it you don't care for my videos. Can you be more specific about what you don't like or find objectionable?
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Hahahahahaha!!!!!

That's not even remotely what I was getting at dude.

I also make videos. If you can figure out how to keep people's attention please let me know.

Lol. I'm not critiquing your videos I'm asking you to tell me the secrets when you figure them out LOL!
 
It should have lots of death-defying dare-devil material:

- Flying through a RR tunnel and escaping out the end just before a train smacks you head-on.
- A fast run through a box canyon, doing a vertical loop at the end and flying back inverted.
- Paying for a new autopilot without the wife catching you.
 
Regarding music, I don't mind it if it is kept soft enough to hear ATC transmissions, conversations in the cockpit, voiceovers, etc. When I miss what people say because the music is too loud, I move on to another video. The same issue irritates me on TV and at the movies, as well.
 
My $0.02 since you asked...

Just be you. Have fun making flights/videos you enjoy. Don’t try to figure out any magic code that people like. As @SixPapaCharlie was joking about...it doesn’t exist. You can’t make everyone happy...especially on the internet. You’ll evolve your own editing style as you continue making videos but I think you’d go crazy and suck the fun out of flying by trying to figure out what “people” like.

Oh and you should for sure incorporate a Mogwai Hat into one of your upcoming videos. @OkieFlyer should be able to point you in the right direction. :)
 
I watched a couple of your vids. My 2 cent advice would be to stick with what makes your story unique....flying a small plane across the country to play rock shows. I would build episodes around that storyline..include some of the flying, rockin' and unique stuff that happens along the way. I would ditch all the flight planning, or at least severely chop it down to the bare essentials and how it relates to that particular episode. But in the end...make what is interesting to YOU. These videos require alot of time to make, as you probably know. If you're not enjoying it...you will burn out.

I make flying vids and I also like to watch them. What I personally find most entertaining are all the original ways that people tell their stories. Good luck and keep it up!!!
 
Okay, I have only had time to watch the trailer. Here was my initial impression As I watched it:

I was initially thinking.....friggin cool this will be a mix of the Eaglemania tribute bands hijinx and adventures with you flying them around. Maybe you'll even run into Don Henley and he'll yell at everone :) As I finished the trailer I learned it's much more about flying (as you stated) and some about the band. So it didnt quite go the way thought would be fun or different. Some first impression was off

I'll watch a few and follow up.

What is your true goal? Lots of likes and subs and money? Or something else like supermodels, drugs and free love :)
 
Something out of landing at another airport that just looked like the first one, going to a big name FBO and going to a city that looks like stock photos of city life.

The back country stuff is cool, landing out in the middle of nowhere, shooting some clays, bon fire and talk about stuff.

Basically if Joe Rogan and back country cowboys got meshed into one.
 
Okay, just watched Episodes 1 and 2.

There was a bit more of the music than I expected after watching the trailer which was working for me.

What really stood out was that somewhere in #1 and then again in #2 you started using your actual voice during the flying vs voice over. I found that much more real or should I say connected than all the voice over.

If you watch the Steveo, Guthmiller, Trent Palmer, Barron Pilot, etc they rarely do voice over. I know FlightChops does this more often so perhaps you like that style better?

I hate to admit it but i found myself fast forwarding over the flight planning sections the most often. That is not to say they were done poorly. Actually they were done extremely well! I bet that takes a lot of work so definitely not trying to pick on you. Plus at just 5 videos you are figuring out your style.

I think your production quality is excellent. Nice clear steady camera shots. Tne sound quality is great. You are obviously comfortable with graphics and the editor and editing.

And that plane! What a great platform to shoot videos. If you are comfortable, a bit more time of the camera on you. And the shot of the panel could be just a bit wider. Like 24mm to 20mm.

Things I expected that didnt happen. I thought you'd be flying more of the band. More about the band...and no better time than in the cockpit with the autopilot on. What your day job is. More about your pilot background. How you ended up with the Meridian. How you got into music.

The Rock N Roll Hall of fame was was good. Background on some of the venues is interesting.

Pushing 20 minutes is too much for your style of video. YouTube monetization will reward longer videos but only if they hold the viewers attention. I'm thinking if you could edit down to under 10 minutes would be more likely to keep full attention.

Now the bummer. If you want high views I think you need a babe riding shotgun or recurring via the band. With the cool plane and band it would fit nicely.

Just my opinions.

If you love making them dont change anything. If you want 1M views then you'll find yourself making changes.

You seem like a good, safe humble pilot :)
 
I'm not one that likes music in flying videos other than the introduction or outtro when the video is being set up. Once the flying starts, no music so one can hear all transmissions. It's really annoying to me having music play during the actual flying and transmission part. I actually turn videos off and don't watch any further because of that. @Radar Contact is good with that. Music at the beginning and end, but leaves it out everywhere else unless maybe an interlude. Steveo1Kinevo's videos are a good example too.

As far as flight planning, some is fine. But I did find myself in your first video skipping through some of your flight planning to get to the flying in that 4:00-7:00 minute or so period. Then when you went back to flight planning for a few. And even the flight planning is well done. I just don't care for too much of it. But your videos are well-produced. Nothing wrong with production and flying content at all.
 
Croomrider said:
I have watched all of your videos Jon, and will watch more. I think you're doing a good job and wouldn't suggest changing anything at this point. Lots of guys make 20-30 minute vids, and maybe there are many that won't watch them, or don't have the time, but there are others that will. If everyone was doing the same thing, only a few would be happy!
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Thank you!!
 
Sinistar said:
Okay, just watched Episodes 1 and 2.

There was a bit more of the music than I expected after watching the trailer which was working for me.

What really stood out was that somewhere in #1 and then again in #2 you started using your actual voice during the flying vs voice over. I found that much more real or should I say connected than all the voice over.

If you watch the Steveo, Guthmiller, Trent Palmer, Barron Pilot, etc they rarely do voice over. I know FlightChops does this more often so perhaps you like that style better?

I hate to admit it but i found myself fast forwarding over the flight planning sections the most often. That is not to say they were done poorly. Actually they were done extremely well! I bet that takes a lot of work so definitely not trying to pick on you. Plus at just 5 videos you are figuring out your style.

I think your production quality is excellent. Nice clear steady camera shots. Tne sound quality is great. You are obviously comfortable with graphics and the editor and editing.

And that plane! What a great platform to shoot videos. If you are comfortable, a bit more time of the camera on you. And the shot of the panel could be just a bit wider. Like 24mm to 20mm.

Things I expected that didnt happen. I thought you'd be flying more of the band. More about the band...and no better time than in the cockpit with the autopilot on. What your day job is. More about your pilot background. How you ended up with the Meridian. How you got into music.

The Rock N Roll Hall of fame was was good. Background on some of the venues is interesting.

Pushing 20 minutes is too much for your style of video. YouTube monetization will reward longer videos but only if they hold the viewers attention. I'm thinking if you could edit down to under 10 minutes would be more likely to keep full attention.

Now the bummer. If you want high views I think you need a babe riding shotgun or recurring via the band. With the cool plane and band it would fit nicely.

Just my opinions.

If you love making them dont change anything. If you want 1M views then you'll find yourself making changes.

You seem like a good, safe humble pilot :)
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GREAT advice. Thank you. I feel like eliminating the flight planning would rob it of what makes them unique for flying; you do not see a lot of that in others' videos and IMO that oversimplifies the endeavor (of flying). As I have progressed with this (I am currently editing #12), I have made the plan presentation part of it much quicker, rote, and efficient.

Part of the problem with the overall content is that it is hard to please the music people with all the flying on top of it, and the music content bores a lot of the flying people. That you FF through the briefing part is what I would expect. The good news is that it is there and at some point, hopefully, you will watch one where you will want to go back and see the briefing to understand the context of a weather situation that came up in the body of the piece.

THANK YOU for spending the time to watch this and offer your critique.

Jon
 
James331 said:
Something out of landing at another airport that just looked like the first one, going to a big name FBO and going to a city that looks like stock photos of city life.

The back country stuff is cool, landing out in the middle of nowhere, shooting some clays, bon fire and talk about stuff.

Basically if Joe Rogan and back country cowboys got meshed into one.
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And BTW - I don't think I CAN monetize this; the copyrighted material alone would preclude that. I am doing this much more as a labor of love for flying and band.
 
mr_happyland said:
I watched a couple of your vids. My 2 cent advice would be to stick with what makes your story unique....flying a small plane across the country to play rock shows. I would build episodes around that storyline..include some of the flying, rockin' and unique stuff that happens along the way. I would ditch all the flight planning, or at least severely chop it down to the bare essentials and how it relates to that particular episode. But in the end...make what is interesting to YOU. These videos require alot of time to make, as you probably know. If you're not enjoying it...you will burn out.

I make flying vids and I also like to watch them. What I personally find most entertaining are all the original ways that people tell their stories. Good luck and keep it up!!!
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Thank you! From a flying-video standpoint, I want to capture the decision making process that goes into flying cross-country when you HAVE to be there. To me, that is the most challenging aspect of flying; beyond hard IFR, crosswind landings, training, etc. To that end, I have committed myself to including all that - and I will try to parse it more as time goes on (further episodes for sure have this aspect limited to a minute or so) but, compared to what else is out there, I think that that is what makes this unique. Interesting the reaction though - most people (not surprisingly) find it dry. Maybe I should include a 'cue to' point in there so people could FF past the briefing...(?)
 
[QUOTE="- Paying for a new autopilot without the wife catching you.[/QUOTE]

HA! for sure. DEATH defying!
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Hahahahahaha!!!!!

That's not even remotely what I was getting at dude.

I also make videos. If you can figure out how to keep people's attention please let me know.

Lol. I'm not critiquing your videos I'm asking you to tell me the secrets when you figure them out LOL!
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I know I know - I TOTALLY misread your post. Thanks for reaching out and commiserating.
 
Jon Weiswasser said:
And BTW - I don't think I CAN monetize this; the copyrighted material alone would preclude that. I am doing this much more as a labor of love for flying and band.
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If there is copyright content, you may get dinged. monetized or not.
I've had videos (before monetization) flagged because the radio was on in the background.

The ideal flying video for me doesn't involve so much flying as going into the what's why's and how's.
I could watch this all day long:

I make videos that I would want to watch. If no one else wants to watch them, not my problem.
 
mr_happyland said:
I watched a couple of your vids. My 2 cent advice would be to stick with what makes your story unique....flying a small plane across the country to play rock shows. I would build episodes around that storyline..include some of the flying, rockin' and unique stuff that happens along the way. I would ditch all the flight planning, or at least severely chop it down to the bare essentials and how it relates to that particular episode. But in the end...make what is interesting to YOU. These videos require alot of time to make, as you probably know. If you're not enjoying it...you will burn out.

I make flying vids and I also like to watch them. What I personally find most entertaining are all the original ways that people tell their stories. Good luck and keep it up!!!
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I will comment on the videos you make, and maybe this will help the OP out. I really enjoy your videos. You talk to the viewer, both from the cockpit, and through voice overs. You explain what you're doing with that flight, and give interesting details about some of the places you fly over and visit. I find them very enjoyable. The ones that I find boring are the ones that don't talk to you much, and spend way too much time showing long taxis, way too much flying time when just cruising along, etc. Your videos are a good length to watch. Most are less than 15 minutes.

There is another young couple that flies a Tiger, and I really want to watch their videos and see them succeed. But they spend long periods of time just cruising along and showing scenery, but not talking to the viewer. And I keep thinking, show me your panel, show me your panel, but they just keep showing scenery shots.

I think one reason steveo1kinevo has been so successful is because he makes his videos interesting. He talks to you a lot, and he will explain a different component of flight on every video. It might be the cabin pressure controls on one flight, weather radar on another, the autopilot system, etc. and of course, he is blessed with getting to go to some very interesting places. Most people don't have the options he does. And that's okay. A video doesn't have to be about flying to one of the cays in the Bahamas. But as you said, it does need to be interesting.
 
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The ideal flying video would be 45 seconds of Frank Borman giving Margot Robbie instruction in a replica SR-71 (which was built on the Red Green Show with Bruce Dickinson as a special guest) and asking TRACON for a speed check, plus a 15-second cut scene to show how duct tape was used to prevent fuel leaks at subsonic speeds as the original SR-71 experienced. The only music would be Bruce performing an acoustic instrumental version of Flight of Icarus in the background of the cut scene, with the equalizer and levels set perfectly so you can hear Morgan Freeman's voice-over about the build without the music needing to duck under.

100% of all other flying videos merely aspire to that ideal. You will not reach it, and that's okay. What you can do is focus your aspirations and combine as many of the elements of the ideal video as you have available: Hero worship, sex appeal, exotic airplanes, humor, interesting construction techniques, aviation crossover celebrity appearances, tasteful use of music bespoke to your videos, an appealing speaking voice, good audio mixing, editing the video to tell a story, and, above all, brevity appropriate to the story you are telling so your audience remains engaged and never pauses, skips ahead, or closes the window when an ad interrupts your work.
 
Dana said:
Lots of editing. "If in doubt, cut it out."
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That's Ted Nugent. "When in doubt, I cut it out, got me a Hero Pro and it's a free for all."

OP says he in an Eagle's tribute band. "Take it easy, take it easy, don't let the length of your videos drive us crazy."
 
Jon Weiswasser said:
What would you consider to be the IDEAL flying video? What kind of content other than the actual flying and piloting part of the process matters most to you? Would you want to see the planning part or is that boring? Is 20-30 minutes too long?

I've seen other popular videos, and I'm trying to create something with some nugget of truth or knowledge to it by trying to capture the whole process - the decisions and planning, as well as the actual flying. I am also throwing in a little about the purpose of each trip. It is a vlog, so I am committed to filming every time I INTEND on flying; IFR, VFR, good, bad, ugly... even the times I cancel.

Please check out the channel and tell me honestly what you like or don't like about the concept. I'm not doing this for money or anything other than for the love of flying and for contributing to a community which I have been a part of for 26 years.

Here's the trailer:

There are four episodes posted with a new one going up every other week. Here's a link to the channel where you can find them:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9CTZjYXYBMCrKLCXdOaMqQ?view_as=subscriber
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Include the panel and a good view outside, from the cockpit. No stupid music and don't show a wing view of the landing.
 
In the only flying videos I found really entertaining the pilot was doing something outright illegal or just plain stupid.
 
mryan75 said:
Include the panel and a good view outside, from the cockpit. No stupid music and don't show a wing view of the landing.
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Agree -- although, I am in the midst of editing one where the stupid gopro quit literally 0.5mi from the threshold.... Ugh. Thanks for reaching out.
 
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