I was struck by how YouTuber Jeff Marshall, in his dramatically titled video “Quit YouTube… (But Let’s Quit),” neatly sums up some of the concerns many people have about the platform.
Like many YouTubers, he has a niche – in his case Transport for London – which he has explored to the point that at least one of my father and son’s school friends has become an avid follower.
Like many things online, YouTube thrived on passion: people made videos about subjects that mattered to them, and viewers were forgiving of their lack of equipment and experience that a professional team might bring to the table. In Jeff’s words, “I used to do the odd vlog,” he says, adding, “My style and technique have definitely improved over the years.”
Quit YouTube… (But Don’t Quit) – YouTube Watch On
It’s true, as he points out, many YouTubers are getting better – of course, better equipment has come along, and the best vlogging cameras and vlogging tripods play a role, but what I loved about Marshall’s video is that he also shares the details of his artistic improvements.
But now, along with a host of tips for video makers, he describes an “existential crisis” caused by two factors: short, vertical video formats like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, and people’s tendency to watch YouTube on TV apps, like Netflix.
To be honest, while I watched the video listening to every word of his thoughtful analysis of the situation, I wasn’t really sure how to feel about the fact that I was watching it on my TV using the AppleTV’s YouTube app.
Marshall is “not a fan” of vertical video (though he doesn’t claim to be outraged by it, like George Cairns), and while it may not be surprising that it’s his preferred format, born in 1972, Marshall’s discussion of the differences between vertical and horizontal is cleverly interwoven with what they mean for creators.
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Rather than discussing the cinematic concerns that many focus on, he looks at it from the perspective of the platform, which is ultimately something we all need to consider (if we’re trying to build an audience).
He said, “A lot of people came back and said the shorts were a no-no,” and the comments on the video seem to back that up (although ironically, the most brief comments seem to get the most likes).
But the crisis stems from the fact that the polar opposite of shorts, full-length documentaries that can be played on a TV app (and would likely require the best YouTube cameras), are expensive to produce, at least in terms of time.
Is there still a place for original 5-10 minute YouTube videos? I’d be sad if there wasn’t one as that’s the only format I’ve ever tried to make and it was liberating, but I think he has a point and a lot of people may need to level up, at least to accommodate 4K TVs.
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