New video content
My new webcam, perched on the ring-light with Blu Tack.
I primarily use a desktop PC, so a fancy webcam isn’t part of the standard setup. I used to create video content with my old mirrorless DSLR plugged into my PC, but the connection is clunky, and it doesn’t always detect the camera properly.
Recently, I took advantage of the 9.9 sales and ordered a decent webcam to replace the VGA potato I’ve been using for Zoom calls. It’s nothing too fancy, but the 2K resolution is a significant upgrade over the muddy footage I was able to get before.
So what did I do with my new toy, other than appear more nicely on calls? I started making video versions of my Story Stripdown podcasts! I’m still making the long-form 18-min audio podcast versions, but starting with the episode about The Accountant, I’ll be making shorter, 90-second video versions for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
If you’ve been enjoying my Story Stripdowns on Spotify but would prefer a punchier version, you can check them out on any of the social platforms above!
The transition from audio to video wasn’t exactly a simple process… a new format meant more than just sticking about 30 seconds of video over an excerpt from the 18-min audio podcast (which was literally what I used to do to make the Spotify clips - which didn’t provide much traction at all). I was learning new ways to maximize the format by restructuring the visuals and recordings.
Condensing 18 minutes into 2 means I can’t just snip little bits of the podcast audio, so it requires both rewriting and re-recording my voice-over script. And once I have that, I need to figure out how best to edit it into a video format. I also have to add subtitles, because while everyone listens to Spotify with the sound on, that’s not necessarily the case for TikTok and IG.
Check out this first draft of The Accountant reel:
Now compare it with the updated version:
I’m learning as I go (thanks to everyone who's been giving me feedback), and I’m now 4 videos in, with improvements in each new one.
Please let me know what you think!
