Forum Topics Started
Struggling to Turn Raw Footage into a Compelling Story – Need Scriptwriting Tips for Short-Form Docs
<img src="/uploads/video-editing-script-storytelling-workspace-1785563420.jpg" alt="Video editor's workspace with scriptwriting notes and Premiere Pro timeline, illustrating the challenge of turning raw footage into a narrative" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been making short-form documentary-style videos for YouTube for about six months now, but I keep hitting the same wall: I shoot tons of great B-roll and interviews, but when I sit down to edit, I have no idea how to structure it into a story. I end up with a chronological mess that feels like a highlight reel, not a narrative. I know the classic three-act structure, but applying it to real footage feels abstract. I've tried writing a script before I shoot, but I often end up with footage that doesn't match my plan, and then I'm stuck. How do you all approach scripting for unscripted or semi-scripted content? Do you write a narrative outline after you've reviewed the footage? Any specific techniques for finding the 'throughline' in interviews? I'm using Premiere Pro and have access to things like text-based editing if that helps. I'd love to hear your workflows.
Shorts are getting 0 views from feed — algorithm shadowban or broken upload?
Hey everyone, I've been posting Shorts daily for about two weeks now, and my last 5 Shorts have literally gotten 0 views from the Shorts feed. They show up on my channel and in my subscriber feed, but the analytics say 'Shorts feed: 0%' and the total views are just the ones I get from my own link or a couple of subscribers. I've checked the resolution, aspect ratio (9:16), and duration (under 60 seconds), and they all meet the requirements. I'm using the YouTube app on my phone to upload, and I've also tried the desktop uploader. Nothing changes. I've heard about the 'shadowban' thing, but is that real? Or could it be a technical glitch with my account? My content is original, I'm not using copyrighted music (I use the built-in audio library), and I've never had a strike. I'm starting to lose motivation because I was getting 1-2k views on my first few Shorts, and now this. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do to fix it?
How to achieve realistic fire simulation in Blender?
Hey everyone, I'm currently working on a short film and I need to create a realistic fire simulation for a campfire scene. I've tried using Blender's built-in smoke and fire system, but the results look too fake and cartoonish. I'm using Blender 4.1 and following some tutorials, but the flames just don't have that organic, flickering quality I'm after. I've played with the flame temperature and smoke settings, but it still looks like a blob. What am I missing? Should I switch to a different software like Houdini, or is there a specific workflow in Blender that can give me photorealistic fire? I'm open to using add-ons or even compositing tricks in After Effects. My render engine is Cycles, and I have a decent GPU (RTX 3080) so I can handle some heavy simulations. Any guidance would be awesome!
Best OBS Settings for 1080p60 Live Streaming on Twitch with a Single PC?
Hey everyone! I've been live streaming on Twitch for about six months now, mostly playing FPS games like Valorant and Apex Legends. I'm currently using a single PC setup with an RTX 3080 and an i7-12700K, and I'm struggling to get a clean 1080p60 stream without dropped frames or blurry gameplay. I've tried a bunch of different OBS settings I found online, but nothing seems to work perfectly. My upload speed is 20 Mbps, so I know that's not the issue. I'm currently using x264 encoding with the 'faster' preset, 6000 kbps bitrate, and 1080p60 output. The stream looks okay, but there's noticeable pixelation during fast motion, and sometimes my game FPS drops when I'm playing. I've heard about NVENC encoding, but I'm not sure if that's better for my setup. Can anyone recommend the best OBS settings for a single PC streaming setup? I'd love to hear what works for you guys, especially if you have a similar rig. Thanks in advance!
Best OBS settings for 1080p 60fps live stream on Twitch with a single PC setup?
<img src="/uploads/obs-streaming-settings-gaming-desk-1784423058.jpg" alt="Gaming desk setup with OBS Studio encoder settings on monitor for live streaming optimization" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I'm trying to optimize my Twitch stream for 1080p 60fps, but I'm struggling with encoder settings. I have a single PC setup with an RTX 3070 and a Ryzen 5 5600X. I stream mostly FPS games like Valorant and Apex Legends. Currently I'm using NVENC (new) with CBR at 6000 kbps, keyframe interval 2, and preset P6: Slower. But I still get occasional frame drops and the stream looks a bit blurry during fast motion. I've read conflicting advice about whether to use NVENC or x264, and what bitrate is actually feasible for 1080p60 on Twitch. Twitch's recommended max is 6000 kbps but some partners get higher. Also, should I enable psycho visual tuning or look-ahead? Any tips on advanced settings like B-frames or max GOP size? I'm not partnered yet, so I want to make sure my stream looks as clean as possible without sacrificing performance. Thanks!
Replies Posted
Topic: Struggling to Turn Raw Footage into a Compelling Story – Need Scriptwriting Tips for Short-Form Docs
"Thanks everyone, this is gold! I tried the text-based editing approach and it completely changed my workflow. I found a throughline in an interview where the subject talked about 'learning to fail for..."
Topic: Using copyrighted music in YouTube videos: What's the safest way to avoid strikes?
"[QUOTE=vibecore72]Some say you can use any song as long as you give credit, others say you'll get a strike immediately.[/QUOTE] Giving credit does NOT protect you from copyright claims. The only way ..."
Topic: Best Mobile Editing Apps for Vertical Shorts in 2026?
"I'll second VN, but I want to add that DaVinci Resolve for iPad (now with the 2026 update) is a game-changer if you're willing to learn a steeper curve. It's free for most features, and the color grad..."
Topic: Best approach for a cross-channel collab series on vertical video?
"Honestly, the staggered drop method is solid, but I'd add one thing: don't sleep on the "part 2" pinned comment trick on Shorts specifically. When you drop your Day 1 video, pin a comment that says "P..."
Topic: Shorts are getting 0 views from feed — algorithm shadowban or broken upload?
"Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I checked my video classification and indeed two of them were not marked as Shorts because I had a tiny black bar at the top (my export was 1080x1920 but with..."
Topic: How to achieve realistic fire simulation in Blender?
"Thanks for the tips, @lensmaster50 and @directorflow93! I tried increasing the resolution to 64 and playing with the vorticity and temperature settings, and it made a huge difference. The flames now h..."
Topic: Best OBS Settings for 1080p60 Live Streaming on Twitch with a Single PC?
"Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I switched to NVENC with the settings you all recommended, and my stream looks amazing now – no more pixelation, and my game FPS is stable. I also set the keyframe..."
Topic: Should I Include Raw Unedited Clips in My Video Editing Portfolio?
"Another angle: if you're applying for corporate or agency work, raw footage is often proprietary and you might not have permission to share it. Check your NDA agreements! For YouTube-style content, it..."
Topic: TikTok vs Reels: Which platform is better for faceless educational content in 2026?
"I'll chime in with a technical perspective. I run a channel that does faceless history shorts on both platforms. Here's the data from my last 90 days: TikTok: 1.2M total views, average retention 45%, ..."
Topic: Best AI tools for automatic subtitling and translation in 2026?
"[QUOTE=soundguru54]I'm looking for AI tools that can automatically generate accurate captions and then translate them into multiple languages.[/QUOTE] Hey, I've been using Descript for this exact pur..."
Topic: How do I find reliable collab partners for YouTube without getting ghosted?
"[QUOTE=videowizard42]I've tried a few approaches: reaching out via DMs on Instagram, posting in a few Discord servers, and even using a collab matching site called CollabSpace. But the problem is, 80%..."
Topic: Best royalty-free music for high-energy travel vlogs (without sounding like every other channel)?
"If you want to stand out, consider commissioning a custom track from a composer on Fiverr or SoundBetter. I paid $150 for a 2-minute loop with stems and it's the best investment for my channel identit..."
Topic: AdSense RPM dropped 40% after YouTube Studio update – anyone else?
"Hey @soundguru54, yeah, I've been tracking the same volatility on my end. My "Cost-per-play" went from a stable $0.10 to swinging between $0.03 and $0.08 daily since the update. I think it's still cal..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts algorithm 2026: How to fix sudden drop in views after consistent 100k+ per short?
"I second what @mediahub68 said about retention. But also check your 'Shorts feed' vs 'Browse features' split in Studio. If your impressions from 'Shorts feed' dropped but 'Browse features' increased, ..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts Audio Sync Drift After Export – Anyone Else?
"I haven't seen the drift myself, but I've read that Premiere's 'Render Audio' feature mentioned by @pixelspark91 is crucial. I'd also suggest checking your project's audio hardware settings: Edit > Pr..."
Topic: How do you guys deal with the pressure of constant uploads without burning out?
"I feel you, man. That algorithm pressure is real. I went through the same thing last year with my gaming channel. What helped me was actually dropping to two uploads per week and focusing on quality o..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p 60fps live stream on Twitch with a single PC setup?
"Thanks @pixelcraft92! I tried your suggestions—switched to P5: Slow, enabled look-ahead and psycho visual tuning, and dropped to 936p. Huge difference! The motion blur is almost gone, and no frame dro..."
Topic: Best gimbal for Sony A7S III run-and-gun documentary work in 2026?
"[QUOTE=framepro94]I'm looking for a gimbal that can handle run-and-gun scenarios—think walking through markets, following subjects in tight spaces, and quick transitions.[/QUOTE] I second the RS 4 Pr..."
Update Profile Info
Update your display name, country, and avatar displayed on your profile.
Notification Preferences
Select how you want to be notified for different events.
| Event Type | In-App (Bell) | |
|---|---|---|
| New Direct Messages (DMs) | ||
| Forum Replies & Mentions |
Edit Forum Signature
Your signature text shown at the bottom of your topics and replies.
GDPR & Privacy Rights
You can download your personal data or permanently delete your account.