Filmmaking / Directing : Youtube and FIlmmaking by Vasco Saraiva

You may want to look into Vimeo as it's a platform designed and curated for filmmakers more so than YT. It has a much smaller but more professional reach, IMHO.

Lifewire has a pretty good comparison article:

https://www.lifewire.com/vimeo-vs-youtube-which-is-better-3486370

Hey DC, thanks. Yeah, Vimeo I'm very familiar with it and have been on it for many years. My question was specifically in creating a youtube channel. Like becoming a you tuber as well.

OK cool, should have known if you're a filmmaker you would have been on Vimeo lol

YT is also a great platform to get your name out there. A lot of content creators get notice from YT and are now in film productions.

Utilizing traditional outlets and all new media outlets is how you become a true filmmaker to build your name, brand, publicity, connections, etc.

make it all! let me know if you need help with youtube, mine is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChE6A1AHW9u2yds31bxCNng?view_as=subscriber

Julin Jean FoxForce

Think about the filmmakers you aspire to emulate. Do any of them have youtube channels?

Thanks everyone!! And Julin Jean I will have a look at your channel and take you up on that.

M L. I know, that i sone of the things that is making me pounder, but in truth be told they did not had YT before becoming full on filmmakers.

The only filmmakers I know of using Youtube are people like Doug Liman. They are already established and shooting Youtube Originals. Shows like Impulse. etc. Jordan Peele has a new one called Weird City. You can now see all this without a subscription. You'll just have to sit through ads.

I would think for nobody filmmakers using YT is a way to showcase your talent.

There's a long list of Nobodies to Global Stars discovered on YT. From filmmakers David Sandberg & Aneesh Chaganty to actress/TV creator Issa Rae to pop star Justin Bieber.

I was just at AFM and I got the distinct impression the more you can make available on video (and the less you require anyone to read) the more you likley you get noticed. Lots of advice on shooting sample scenes and that sort of thing. Also there was talk of developing your personal brand but I'm not sure about being a youtuber. I have friends working that format and it's hard to present yourself as professional, skilled, and someone people want to work with unless your videos are truly crafted. Just my two cents. I would take a look at folks who are doing it and ask myself if watching their videos made you more or less likely to want to work with them?

M L. Did not knew those shows were free now... I had my eye on "Impulse" since it came out, I'll go give it a try, thanks.

Dan MaxXx Thanks, like always a very clarifying reply. I'm going to have a look at those guys you mentioned. Think I know Sandberg ... the horror movie right?

Also, I would be using the channel to promote other Videos such as corporate, travel videos and so on... But you did answered my number one question. Thanks again.

David Gray That's interesting ... Talks of personal brands for film directors and so? (I would make it nice and polish channel yes)

I think for audience building you'd probably want a YouTube channel. My stylist watches YouTube videos. She probably doesn't even know what Vimeo is. See my point? You probably want both though.

Jacob Buterbaugh For sure Youtube has a bigger reach than any other video platform. My question was mainly in how becoming a youtuber would affect my "Director image"

I'm asking cuz I don't know. How much money can you really make off of YouTube? Is it really worth the time & effort?

Looking for help to raise funds to continue my horror webseries "Serial School ", continue my production company for more horror/thriller films.

Please help.

Doug Nelson I'm not too sure on exact numbers. But I'm sure you can make quite some money on it and generate leads for video work and sponsorships and so on from it... If is it worth it?... That's what I'm trying to clarify for my personal situation.

Paul J.J. Pastore Here is a piece of advise... If you are looking for help from strangers it might be a good idea not to spam them in a completely unrelated comment.

YT has a paycheck based on viewerships & followers and a channel only needs 10,000 subscribers to use YT’s production headquarters in Los Angeles & NYC for free. They have 4K RED cameras, grip & lighting gear, editing suites, sound stages. All free.

I don’t think it could hurt your reputation, as long as you’re putting out good and relevant content. I’ve thought about it too; and just talked to Amanda Toney from Stage 32 at a summit event and she confirmed that I should be doing one too!

I go back to my question (because I don't know); do you make any money at it?

I think YT would be just another platform for you to showcase your knowledge and creativity. You will need to approach as a business rather than a personal channel. Definitely do it. I want to do one too.

Doug Nelson you will only money from youtube if you have enough subscribers before this was 10k subscribers but I think they changed this recently. you will make money from adds and that would depend on how you set up your channel. You need to enable that, once you reach a certain point then you can start attracting people who want to work with "influencers".

If the YouTube channel was quality storytelling/Interesting and well-done, I wouldn't think less of you and would likely think more of you. It all comes down to the quality of your work. Heck, Ridley Scott got started in commercials.

In conclusion: I've done the research now and have determined that you don't make money off of YouTube The best I've found so far is a filmmaker who collected $38.40 after 4 years. His rent is over $1,200 per month so that's not workin' out real well.

Ya'll talk about 'exposure & experience': To Who? How many big time studio execs do you think spend time prowling YouTube for hot new talent?

Earl - there is money (some) in commercials. Generally in August/September I used to shoot a lot of auto add B roll for a couple of grand each. I produce commercial 'how to' videos for $2,000 per finished minute. Informational DVDs for Doctor handout at hospitals, Optometrists and Dental practices go for $2,000 per finished minute as do recrutement DVDs for Police & Fire Departments. When I first retired, it was easy for me to generate between $3K & $5K monthly - I don't do that stuff no more. My point is that there are a lot of ways to make a buck filmmaking other than relying on You Tube, Think about it.

I have not studied the income from YouTube like you have. I made no comment for or against YouTube and only said I would not think less of you for doing so - if well done. I have heard but not seen their check from some YouTubers that claim to make more than $38.40 but it was off the commercials they sold and not from a sale of content. But that is just the big names on YouTube.

Doug Nelson Watch a YT video on how to make money on YT.

My guy here on the east coast makes car videos. He's got over 80K YT subscribers. He makes over $40,000 yearly now but he's had his YT channel for over 7-8 years, building content and a brand. Car manufacturers like FORD pay for his plane/hotel/travel expenses to review cars.

Chris Joye The content would be good yes, but also my dilema is that I would put quite a bit of content non related to "narrative filmmaking and so" But brand a bit video making business... But great comment, think you convinced me to do it heheh

A youtube channel makes money for youtube. They and their parent google are not only famous for manipulating their stats and search results, they don't even pretend any more. They pay you out about ten cents on every hundred dollars in advertising you make for them, if they pay you at all. So... in my opinion, nothing professional should even consider going to youtube, feature, short or anything else.

Dan M, I've watched quite a few trying to sell me on the Youtube 'way' - but I remain unimpressed. If your guy is makein' $40K a year after several years ($3.3K/month); in today's market, that's just pocket change. Hrll, I did better than that after I retired. I'm pretty sure anyone with a little talent, skill and gumption can do it.

Cristiane A Gomes Yes, I'm thinking 100% professional channel. Thanks, I think I will. Hope to see yours as well

Earl Tom Devere Thanks. Think I will go forward with it. Even if I use it as a marketing tool for corporate videos as well, I don't need to publish the actual videos that I don't want.

Doug Nelson I'm sure that there are many of ways to make money with video. But a lot of people make very money in and from youtube. My main financial goal with YT would be marketing and make money outside of it.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg I get what you are saying. But the money aspect... is not really the most important for me in regards to YT. Something to consider is that it is the place where people watch videos. Big reach.... and second search engine world wide. But again I totally get what you are saying, one just needs to clarify his own priorities.

@Doug and @Dan Thanks for the info about artists gaining tips from the advertising (behind their own slots) on u tube. Prior to reading this thread I always thought videos/film u tube were free, cos I never got asked for any payment. Just shows there are hidden doors, behind doors aswell as wheels within wheels. LOL I admit I am not web savvy.

I don't think posting to YouTube on its own will affect you one way or another because it's just another outlet. Many people who started on YouTube now have their own shows, so it won't break a career. If you look at the film 'Arctic' from 2018, that was directed by a YouTuber named MysteryGuitarMan. So, it all depends on how you utilize the platform. Another example is Neill Blomkamp. He now runs a YouTube channel called Oats Studios that frequently posts incredible short films. His first one was starring Sigourney Weaver.

Marc Mifsud Thanks for your comment. I think I will start a channel soon. And thank you for that Oats Studios tip... was not aware. Going to go see a short right now.

Get it out there and let the chips fall where they may. The cool thing about YouTube is you never know who might come across your work. My understanding is that you want every tool working for you, and YouTube is definitely a powerful tool. Good luck and hit us with a link when you have it up and running.

Mike Romoth Thanks! I will.

YouTube is a platform that many people have used to propel themselves onto bigger things. You can get insane viewing figures on there! It won't hurt your career, if anything it will give you a window to show what you can do. Go for it. :)

Thanks Alex De Luca

I agree with a lot of the points made above about making a name for yourself, but I love YouTube as an outlet for experimentation and practicing social media branding. I'd say give it a shot!

There's plenty of YouTubers who have made features (to varying degrees of success) and it never hurts to build an audience. I'd be curious to hear what were the pros and cons you heard.

Laura Torlaschi Yes, I'm also considering the experimental side of it, it can be a lot of fun. I guess I will thanks.

Jose Jovel For sure ir never hurts to build an audience, that is a great, great point. the points are mainly, people won't take you seriously, they will put you in a box as a video technician or whatever, Nobody will trust you with big things... stuff like that.