be a garbage creative

My most recent YouTube video is my best-performing. Possibly ever.

It’s a super boring collection of things I keep in mind while I’m filming documentary-style corporate or commercial work. B-Roll specifically.

Don’t worry, this newsletter isn’t really about b-roll footage.

B-roll is the other shots, the supplementary footage you see in a doc to support the story or what is being said (on the a-roll). B-roll is sometimes gathered at a time in production where you’re not quite sure what’s important or not story-wise, so some basic frameworks are helpful. If you also happen to be the editor, this framework respects future, editor-you.

I had no idea the video would take off. I consistently fail to predict which videos will land with viewers (I had an inkling the LED video I posted last year, which this video is outpacing, would touch a nerve).

The comments are overwhelmingly positive. My ego runneth over.

To paraphrase the comments, they’re a mix that includes a lot of “I kinda felt these tips already” and “thanks, now I’m excited to film something”.

I could read into the first comment type defensively, but that’s what my channel is about: me, formalizing some random niche instincts I’ve built over the years to help someone who’s actively doing build, or even just confirm their own professional standards. And hopefully learn a thing or two from you. Us people moving through the garbage.

To apply a saying by Seth Godin, the video is “your b-roll needs to be up to spec”. It doesn’t have to be amazing. It doesn’t have to be aesthetically mind blowing. It needs to be up to spec. Technical spec, and story spec.

Setting standards, specs for every time you hit “record”, pick up a pencil, pull out a paintbrush, will turn you into a professional.

It’ll get you to the art faster.

“I’m almost ready”

The other group of commenters, (I feel I’m in both groups, all the time) is the people who want to be ready.

We want to film something great, but don’t quite have enough knowledge.

We just need to watch a few more tutorials.

We need to watch a few more behind the scenes of our favourite directors, our favourite artists.

We’re running out the clock hoping to make our magnum opus in one shot. Without having to touch the garbage.

“Waiting”, “not quite ready”, “just a few more tips and tricks”.

But that’s not how creative projects work. I know this and I struggle with it.

We just gotta make stuff. Garbage at first, then slowly and consistently to spec.