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Hi all, I am passing on a tip that was passed on to me a few years ago. It has to do with video tutorials or anything that is recorded for that matter. When watching some really great tutorials there is habit of some (that used to include me also) to use: "uh", "um" "and um" in just about every sentence or between sentences. It is very distracting and becomes the focus instead of the great instructions that are being shown. On some of these tutorials that are really great have comments left by others that reveal their frustration with it and some even give a count! While I think that is not constructive criticism, something does need to be said for improvement.
One of my experiences with this, I had given a deposition once and was shown and heard the recording, I was so embarrassed by the amount of times that I said these. But I took it to heart and removed them from my vocabulary. I think we tend to get into a habit of doing this, especially when recorded so that we cover any perceived or real "blank spaces". It could also be out of nervousness because we want to "get it right". Could be just habit or that we do not know what to say for a transition to the next sentence. I find that it helps to practice what you want to say several times before I do it for real to be more comfortable with it. Write a script of what you want to say, practice it a bit. Also in this digital age, there is no wasting of tape and it can easily be recorded over if mistakes are made. Relax.
It takes a good amount of time and effort to make, edit and share these wonderful and generous tutorials, and we want them to be the best that they can be (those making them). I thank those friends online and close by for their tips and for ways to improve my crafting in any way and leave this tip in the same heart.
I totally agree! What is even more distracting to me is trying to watch a tutorial with someones long acrylic French manicures :( I can even see what they are doing as the eye goes right to the fingernails and honestly thats all you can focus on. It's like a neon light or something. I love the look of a pretty French manicure, but honestly in a video it is really distracting.
Its very hard to break that habit. I took a public speaking course in university and the coach said that most people say "um" when they are thinking and formulating what they are going to say next. Most people think that if they are speaking in front of someone they need to be "talking" or at least making some sort of noise and feel self-conscious with silent breaks. Being prepared and having an outline of what you want to say is probably the best way to avoid this. Also, having little breaks allows the listener to catch up and digest the information.
When I was getting my degree in teaching (100 years ago!) we had to speak in front of our peers and each had a word on which to focus.
I won! I had the most 'so' in my teaching! (which is funny because I am a Home Ec major) (get it?) (so for sew?) (I crack myself up sometimes!) It takes a heck of a lot of practice and teachers in Texas are even evaluated on this.
I totally agree. We also need to get rid of the "eeaands" ("ands") and "doo-doo-doos"/singing that some of us stick in when there are little silent moments or something goes wrong. The nails don't bother me; but, for some reason, all of the rings that Tim Holtz wears are very distracting. That's why I can't watch his videos. I do appreciate all the time and effort it takes to make these videos, because I make them too. As the OP said, these are just some helpful pointers; and I hope they are taken as such.
Yes, rings are another one :( .... (Aside from your wedding ring, of course)
It took a lot of nerve for Sea777 to bring this up, we can learn so much from this topic if we realy want to improve our teaching skills.
Since it was a point of improvement for myself, one of several, I put myself out there as an example. I study those who make good tutorials and try my best to learn from them. But there are always something that will "not be right" for someone. We tend to gravitate to what we like. Even though some video tutorials have these things that annoy and distract us I try to find the good in it, the new technique, the project etc., it's always there. Some have the means to have professional help to make these videos, the majority don't.
Those that do produce the excellent videos have done their homework, made their mistakes, studied to improve, taken constructive criticism and tips and worked hard to make them them the best that they could and the fruits are visible to see. The only way to do it, practice, you can't play with the symphony until you practice!!! I thank all who put themselves out there, I have learned a lot from the online community, and my paper art wouldn't be where it is today, or where it will be in the future without it!!!
I am so impressed by the tutorials...awed....and inspired. But, incorrect grammar is especially difficult to accept. I wonder how someone can be so darn creative and then listening to them speak is so sad. It has made me very aware of my speech and I pay particulare attention to using the correct tense. i.e. "I seen this ...." drives me up a wall! Oh well....
One of my pet peeves is the word "basically". It's SO overdone and distracting. I find myself waiting for the next "basically" instead of the next step in the video. I once counted 37 "basically" in one short video! ARRGHHH!!!
I am just sooooooo grateful for the tutuorials I can't complain about a thing! Without them, my crafting would be at a complete stand still! I am not on the Oscar committee and I'm no public speaker either, so who am I to throw stones at these tutorials. Yay to the people who make these and keep them coming.
Location: In my stamp room, stamping, painting, and gluing... with the dogs playing under my feet....
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I chuckled when I read some of your "pet peeves".... so RIGHT on the money! I, too, love well-made tutorials and have also struggled to get through so many that suffer the shortcomings you all pointed out, but it was worth it to get the pearls of wisdom or to learn a new technique.
I have no illusions about the difficulty involved in making them. I tried my hand at some short shorts for a gardening project I was asked to participate in in and oh my golly gosh, Gina, you're my idol LOL. Maybe SOMEDAY I'll be able to be as smooth as you are (although my guess is that it's going to take some serious anti-anxiety medications and hours of practice for a 30 second spot.... cue cards, anyone????)
I do have to say that however frustrated I may get with all of the same things that frustrate everyone else, I'm the kind of person who learns best by seeing how it's done either in pix or a video, and so I am VERY forgiving if it's a technique that I really want to learn more about. I've been known to skip through a vid just to catch the parts that I really need to have cleared up for me, and to turn off the volume and just glance up from time to time to catch the parts I really want to see. Like Jaxmom, far be it from me to criticize when someone has worked so hard to record and post it, no matter the quality, and I glean so many pearls from these tutorials. One can only hope that the folks making them stumble upon this thread and take some constructive ideas from it back to their stamp rooms!
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I should have added to my signature...... from the gal who once did a short vid in which she said "basically", and "Anyway" and "So", and "Okay, the next thing......" MORE than she said words related to what she was demonstrating.
That sorry piece of video never made it YouTube (there IS a God and She spared you all) and I STILL get a lot of razing for that one take, but we did manage to get SOMETHING close to reasonable down with stuff edited together from a half dozen stabs at it LOL.
I chuckled when I read some of your "pet peeves".... so RIGHT on the money! I, too, love well-made tutorials and have also struggled to get through so many that suffer the shortcomings you all pointed out, but it was worth it to get the pearls of wisdom or to learn a new technique.
I have no illusions about the difficulty involved in making them. I tried my hand at some short shorts for a gardening project I was asked to participate in in and oh my golly gosh, Gina, you're my idol LOL. Maybe SOMEDAY I'll be able to be as smooth as you are (although my guess is that it's going to take some serious anti-anxiety medications and hours of practice for a 30 second spot.... cue cards, anyone????)
I do have to say that however frustrated I may get with all of the same things that frustrate everyone else, I'm the kind of person who learns best by seeing how it's done either in pix or a video, and so I am VERY forgiving if it's a technique that I really want to learn more about. I've been known to skip through a vid just to catch the parts that I really need to have cleared up for me, and to turn off the volume and just glance up from time to time to catch the parts I really want to see. Like Jaxmom, far be it from me to criticize when someone has worked so hard to record and post it, no matter the quality, and I glean so many pearls from these tutorials. One can only hope that the folks making them stumble upon this thread and take some constructive ideas from it back to their stamp rooms!
LOL!- You should see my bloopers video! It's pretty funny!!
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
Gina, you are definitely a natural, but I've seen that "bloopers" video. Hilarious! We all have our moments, don't we? The trick is to never let them see you sweat (or swear).
Yeah, I know, right? LOL! You're too funny... "...or swear" Ha-ha-ha!!
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
I totally agree. I actually get annoyed when I'm watching something and there is too much worthless interjection. Most of the time, I won't make it through the whole video. I rarely use these when speaking every day as it is. I think most people get nervous and this is how they calm themselves?
When I started this thread I knew that there would be other "pet peeves" and, for my part, I wanted to know them all so I could do a Barney Fife on them, nip them in the bud, before they even had to be edited out.
Gina you have a distinct advantage over those of us who don't have the desire (or courage, lol!!!) to show our faces, your smile and personality are so beautiful and add to your awesome videos. They are very informative, professional done and very appreciated. And I loved the Bloopers!!! Thankfully for me there is an erase button on the digital camera and editing software, as I am still working on them!! After all my years on stage I still do not like to watch or hear myself on tape, I can be so over critical on myself.
And I agree with those who have improved their abilities, learned new techniques etc. from even a poorly done, pet peeve full video. I wish that when I first discovered quilling that there was even a bad video demonstrating it.
Another thing that I learned is to think of yourself as speaking to a friend or loved one (pretend they are looking over your shoulder), explaining what you are doing. It makes it more personal and eases the nerves because you are not thinking that there is an audience of thousands. And that is how it is seen, one person at a time, by themselves on their computer, right? And remember also some are naturals at this, others have to work at it, the same for anything we might do! I thank you all who give encouragement along with constructive critiques! And also, to those who share their talent with us!
Location: In my stamp room, stamping, painting, and gluing... with the dogs playing under my feet....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gina K. Designs
LOL!- You should see my bloopers video! It's pretty funny!!
I watched it last eve with my DH.... just hilarious! The funniest parts (I think) are when you started giggling and then couldn't stop. WE started giggling and then we had to pause the video.:p
Tip for video tutorials, "uh/um/and um"
Hilarious! We all have our moments, don't we? The trick is to never let them see you sweat (or swear). 
