Great Topic Brion. We can learn a lot from this discussion and we have a lot to discuss. Our video Channel serves the obvious purpose of providing educational videos for our members and knife enthusiasts, but it also introduces the ABS to many around the world.

First, some background on our ABS YouTube Channel. As of today we have had more than 203,007 views of the videos on our ABS YouTube Channel and 885 subscribers.Our ABS YouTube videos have been viewed in 158 countries during 2013. We currently have 66 videos uploaded to the ABS YouTube Channel. We have the highest rating from YouTube for our Channel because of how it is administered. I read and follow the rules from YouTube. This gives us additional benefits. There are no annoying commercials run at the beginning or bottom of our videos, quicker admin upload times, and I have authorization to film a video live to our Channel from my IPhone or a similar recording device that is connected to the Internet.

Second, I would like to know what new videos you are most interested in seeing on our Channel. I constantly check the very detailed analytics reports that YouTube provides to see what interests everyone the most but this is good opportunity for you tell us what you want most to see.

Third, we are looking for members to film videos for the ABS YouTube Channel. This is a great opportunity to give back and at the same time be seen around the world on our Channel. We will also discuss the best techniques for filming videos for YouTube. I just completed the first ABS YouTube school and I will share the techniques I learned for making popular YouTube Videos.

So, Let's get started. Don't be bashful. Tell us what you want to see.

This should be a great topic! I would like to see something on shaping handles and guard. Different styles and how they are made. The videos wouldn't have to be long if different people would do one. I plan on attending the class, but it will be next spring before I can do it. Thanks for asking!

Yes, I too think short video clips of specific techniques would be in order. Guard shaping, hand sanding, etc. along with the maker's commentary as he/she is working, showing the tools, backing sticks, ect. It seems to me that the basics are often taken for granted by the more experienced guys while most of the ones asking questions are the new makers.

Also, I would like to see video catalog of interviews of individual Mastersmiths covering a few questions about their backgrounds, how they got started making knives, what brought them to the the ABS, what served as their inspirations, any philosophy that influences their work, etc. I feel like technology is there so we need to use it. It would be a shame not to have it after they are gone.

Yep!!

|quoted:

Yes, I too think short video clips of specific techniques would be in order. Guard shaping, hand sanding, etc. along with the maker's commentary as he/she is working, showing the tools, backing sticks, ect. It seems to me that the basics are often taken for granted by the more experienced guys while most of the ones asking questions are the new makers.

And these can be short, and to-the-point videos. Not necessary to do long winded discussions or commentary on building an entire knife, just a short video on small steps.

Could make one heck of a library of information.

(I've been wanting to try out my new camera, anyway! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />)

Lin Rhea, on 01 July 2013 - 09:27 AM, said:

Yes, I too think short video clips of specific techniques would be in order. Guard shaping, hand sanding, etc. along with the maker's commentary as he/she is working, showing the tools, backing sticks, ect. It seems to me that the basics are often taken for granted by the more experienced guys while most of the ones asking questions are the new makers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Karl Andersen said: And these can be short, and to-the-point videos. Not necessary to do long winded discussions or commentary on building an entire knife, just a short video on small steps.

Could make one heck of a library of information.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Yes! Both Lin and Karl are on right track. Short and to the point "How To" videos are what most of our viewers want to see and what YouTube recommends.

Also both Lin and Karl have filmed and sent me some outstanding videos that are now on the ABS YouTube Channel.

Not all of us can attend the various hammer-ins and none can attend them all. Videos of the demos at the various events would be a great idea.

Gary

Gary

The location where the YouTube videos are filmed can be anywhere bladesmithing techniques are being demonstrated or talked about. We have videos on the ABS YouTube Channel that were filmed at hammer-ins, ABS schools, shops, monthly knife maker's meetings, and even in someone's living room.

The length of a YouTube video should be short and to the point and about 6 minutes or less in length. ABS Hammer-In demonstrations are generally about two (2) hours in length and those videos are more appropropriate for DVD's than YouTube videos.

This is a great topic!

I would be interested in seeing some information posted on editing and loading videos to YouTube. Cheap, or free video editing software. What is the best video format for both small file size and good resolution? Anything else about using our own YouTube channels that is good to know?

Steve:

There are several video file formats that work well with YouTube. I convert all of my videos into MPEG4 file formats. These files upload and display well. YouTube has a list of additional file formats.

I use several software applications for the videos that I post on the ABS YouTube Channel including Video editing software ( Adobe Elements, IMOVIE, and Windows Movie Maker), Photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop), and screen capture software (SnagIt from Tech Smith). A good link to free photo editing software is, Click: Tech Radar

First, You need to create a YouTube Account and below is a current video on "How to Create a YouTube Account":

[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=nvFWI2uNDWM [/media]

In addition, YouTube has many tools for video editing which are available after you create a YouTube account including YouTube Video Editor. With the Video Editor from YouTube, you can:

[list]

Great ideas!

I've been wanting to make video tutorials for my high schools students for some time. Have had a student or two attempt to record my demonstrations a few different times. Haven't got any good footage to work with yet though for various reasons. It's amazing how easy it is to be challenged with various aspects such as lighting, sound (clear voice / background noise), steady camera hands, focus, composition, etc all play a part in the quality.

Lately I've been thinking of trying to wear a GoPro head-cam while doing the demo.

If I ever get anything done I'll make sure to share it up.

Thanks for the editing application tips Dan...and Lin, Karl and everyone for your videos!

Aloha, Phil

How to Post Videos on the ABS Forum

ABS members can post YouTube videos on the ABS Forum. We are always looking for more "How To" videos that show bladesmithing techniques or demonstrate the building or use of tools and jigs for knife making.

After a video has been filmed and uploaded to the ABS member’s YouTube channel, it can be can be embedded in a post on the ABS Forum as follows:

1. In a new Topic or reply post describe and tell us about your YouTube video.

2. After you have your video displayed on your computer screen, locate the code for your YouTube video by looking at the navigation bar at the very top of your computer screen which will look like this:

h

3. Copy the entire code on the line which begins with http.

4. Go back to your topic or post on the ABS Forum and click on the “Insert Media” button on the tool bar as shown below.

5. Done! Your video from YouTube will now display and play within your post on the ABS Forum.

Let's talk about shooting videos for YouTube. I have used several devices including a JVC Everio HDD video camera and an Apple IPHONE to record videos for the ABS YouTube Channel. Many of our members have smart phones that they carry with them and could be recording videos that we could use on the ABS YouTube Channel. The short video below has some very good tips for recording videos with an IPHONE.

[media] http://www.youtube.c...be_gdata_player [/media]

__________________________

The most important tip is to shoot in landscape mode and NOT portrait mode. Examples below:

[left]

Landscape Mode - The images fill the entire screen on a PC.

[/left]

[left]

[left]

[left]

Portrait Mode - Only a portion of the screen is filled.

[/left][/left][/left]

[left]

[/left]

[left]

[/left]

I love seeing WIP videos on just about everything and anything. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> So more of those are always good. I like the ones that fallow one knife build and there may be 5 to 15 videos covering the build in 5 to 15 minute long videos.

Something else I really like are the short videos Karl Andersen has made a bunch of showing completed knives in detail and giving some info about each knife. They're really great to watch, entertaining, they give great info to the details of the knives and they help people see things about a custom knife that they may not have ever noticed. That in turn raises their interest in knives, raises their knowledge about knives and like I said before, they're just awesome fun to watch! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />

The longer the ABS YouTube channel is out there the higher number of subscribers we'll get. It's like a snowball effect in a way. As time goes by the number will go up exponentially. My YouTube channel has over 1,300 subscribers and 457,000 views, granted it's been running for 4 years now unlike the ABS channel which is much newer and already has so much. My point is that my last series of videos is two years old and yet every month I get more subscribers than I did the month before and more views too. I think after a little time the ABS channel is just going to explode and the views will be in the millions and the subscribers will be in the thousands.

Some good suggestions here.

I am the "official videographer" at NESM, and I will try to do some more short format videos. It is pretty difficult to capture stuff as it is happening. Often there is a lot of "stream of consciousness" dialogue going on and it can be tough to edit it down. My videos always end up being 15 minutes long!