ShortsZone35
@shortszone35
Joined: May 2024
London
Forum Topics Started
Best Way to Color Match Sony S-Log3 to Rec.709 in DaVinci Resolve?
Hey everyone! I've been shooting with my Sony A7 IV in S-Log3/S-Gamut3.Cine for a while now, but I'm struggling to get consistent, natural-looking color grades when I convert to Rec.709. I've tried using the official Sony LUTs and the CST (Color Space Transform) method, but my skin tones always end up looking a bit off – sometimes too green or too magenta. I'm editing in DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.6. I've watched a bunch of tutorials, but they seem to conflict. Some say to use the CST on the clip's input color space to 'Sony S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3' and then output to 'Rec.709 / Gamma 2.4', while others recommend using the 'DaVinci Resolve' color management (RCM) and setting the input to 'Sony S-Gamut3.Cine' with a gamma of 'S-Log3'. I'm also confused about whether I should use the 'Sony S-Log3 to S-Gamut3.Cine' LUT or the 'S-Log3 to Rec.709' LUT from Sony's official pack. Can anyone share their preferred workflow for clean, accurate conversions? I'd love to hear what works best for you, especially if you're shooting with Sony cameras.
Using copyrighted music in YouTube Shorts – what's the actual risk in 2026?
Hey everyone! I run a Shorts channel where I do quick movie and TV show edits with trending audio. I know the rules have changed a lot over the years, but I'm still confused about what happens if I use a popular song in a Short. I see big creators doing it all the time, and some say it's fine because Shorts are 'fair use' or that YouTube just monetizes the video for the rights holder. But I've also heard stories of channels getting strikes or even terminated. My question is: what is the actual, current policy in 2026? If I use a copyrighted song in a Short, will I get a Content ID claim, a copyright strike, or does YouTube's Shorts licensing deal cover it? And does it matter if I use the song from YouTube's Audio Library vs. a random MP3 I found? I want to keep making edits without losing my channel, but I also don't want to miss out on growth opportunities. Any clarity would be awesome!
How to land brand deals as a small Shorts creator with 10k subs?
Hey everyone, I've been grinding on YouTube Shorts for about 6 months and just hit 10k subscribers. My niche is DIY home improvement tips—think quick 30-second fixes like unclogging a sink or patching drywall. I'm getting around 50k views per Short on average, but I'm struggling to get any brand deals. I've reached out to a few tool companies like Milwaukee and DeWalt via their influencer marketing emails, but no responses. Am I too small? Should I be targeting different brands? Also, what's the best way to structure my pitch—should I include a media kit or just a simple email? Any advice from creators who've cracked this would be huge. Thanks!
Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming on Twitch with a single PC setup?
Hey everyone, I've been streaming on Twitch for about 6 months now and I'm trying to nail down the best OBS settings for a smooth 1080p60 stream. My rig has an RTX 3070, Ryzen 7 5800X, and 32GB of RAM. I'm currently using NVENC (new) at 6000 kbps bitrate, but I still get occasional frame drops and encoding overload warnings when playing high-motion games like Warzone or Apex Legends. I've tried lowering the output resolution to 936p (1664x936) but it looks blurry on mobile. What settings do you recommend for a crisp 1080p60 stream without sacrificing performance? I'm open to using x264 if it's better, but I worry about the CPU load. Also, should I enable psycho visual tuning and look-ahead? Any advice on keyframe interval, preset, or profile would be awesome. Thanks!
YouTube Shorts retention dropping after 3 seconds – any fix?
Hey everyone, I've been posting daily Shorts for about two months now, and I'm stuck. My average retention rate is around 70% for the first 3 seconds, but then it plummets to under 30% by the 10-second mark. I'm using fast cuts, text overlays, and trending sounds, but it's not helping. My niche is gaming highlights (Valorant). Is there a specific hook structure or editing trick that keeps viewers past that initial swipe? I'm editing in Premiere Pro, and my videos are usually 15-20 seconds. Any advice would be killer.
My first short film portfolio – need feedback on color grading and pacing
<img src="/uploads/short-film-portfolio-editing-suite-davinci-resolve-sony-a7iv-1784280798.jpg" alt="Video editing workspace with DaVinci Resolve color grading and Sony A7IV camera setup for short film portfolio" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I finally put together my first short film portfolio after months of shooting and editing. It's a mix of cinematic B-roll, street photography, and a few narrative clips. I’m aiming to apply for a videography internship, so I want this to stand out. I’m struggling with two things: color grading consistency across different lighting conditions (some shots were golden hour, others overcast) and overall pacing – I feel like the transitions are too abrupt. I used DaVinci Resolve 18.6 with a custom LUT I built, but skin tones in a few indoor scenes look greenish. Also, the sequence feels rushed in the first 30 seconds. Would love any constructive critique on the rough cut I uploaded to YouTube (unlisted). I’m using a Sony A7IV with a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and I edit on a MacBook Pro M3 Max. Any tips on smoothing out the flow and fixing the color cast without re-shooting?
Replies Posted
Topic: Shorts getting 0 views after posting – is there a shadowban or just algorithm roulette?
"Hey! That's frustrating. I've been through this too. First, check if your Shorts are actually being indexed – go to the video's 'Stats for nerds' and see if it says 'Not visible' or something. Also, m..."
Topic: How to Price Your First Freelance Video Editing Gig Without Underselling Yourself?
"Hey @audiomaster71, congrats on your first gig! The fact that you're thinking about pricing already puts you ahead of the curve. Here's my take: for a beginner, I'd recommend starting with a per-proje..."
Topic: Best Way to Color Match Sony S-Log3 to Rec.709 in DaVinci Resolve?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed replies! I tried the CST method as suggested by vlogflow85, and it made a huge difference. The skin tones are now much more natural, and I can finally see the colors I..."
Topic: Using copyrighted music in YouTube Shorts – what's the actual risk in 2026?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed answers! I think I've got a clear picture now. I'll stick to YouTube's Audio Library for music and avoid using movie/TV clips altogether – I'll create my own original ..."
Topic: Best way to stream 4K60 from Sony A7IV to YouTube with OBS?
"I'm a bit late to the party, but I've been streaming 4K60 from my A7IV for a while now, and I want to add a few tips. First, in OBS, make sure you're using the 'Simple' output mode with 'Stream' set t..."
Topic: Best mobile editing app for vertical YouTube Shorts in 2026? (CapCut vs. VN vs. PowerDirector)
"I've tried all three, and honestly, for Shorts specifically, I keep coming back to CapCut because of its massive template library and trendy effects. But if you're outgrowing it, VN is the best free o..."
Topic: TikTok views suddenly dropped to zero after 3 months of steady growth – algorithm shadowban or content fatigue?
"Adding to the great tips above: don't ignore the 'content fatigue' theory. After 3 months of daily posting, the algorithm may have saturated your core audience. Try a 'content pivot' – make a video ab..."
Topic: Feeling completely drained after 2 years of daily Shorts – anyone else hit this wall?
"[QUOTE=mediahub68]I'm thinking about scaling back to 3 times a week, but I'm terrified my channel will die.[/QUOTE] I've been there, man. I was posting 5 times a week for about 18 months and hit the ..."
Topic: My first YouTube Short is flopping – is it the editing or the algorithm?
"[QUOTE=help.php]I used a jump cut every 2 seconds, added text overlays for key points, and even put a trending song from the YouTube Audio Library.[/QUOTE] Hey @help.php, first off – congrats on your ..."
Topic: How to Properly Export YouTube Shorts from Premiere Pro Without Quality Loss?
"Great points from both. I make Shorts daily and here's my workflow that gives me consistent quality: 1. **Edit in 1080x1920** (like you do) – fine. 2. **Export a high-bitrate ProRes 422 LT** (not HQ ..."
Topic: How to land brand deals as a small Shorts creator with 10k subs?
"Wow, this is all gold! Thanks everyone. I took your advice and reached out to Ryobi via their AspireIQ page, and also made a sample Short using a Black+Decker drill I already own. Got a reply yesterda..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for 1080p60 live streaming on Twitch with a single PC setup?
"Thanks everyone for the detailed suggestions! I tried combining your advice: capped my in-game FPS to 60, used NVENC with P5 preset, Look-ahead on, Psycho Visual off, and set audio to 48 kHz with a si..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts retention dropping after 3 seconds – any fix?
"Thanks @cliphustler93! I went back and checked the retention graph – the drop was exactly at the 4-second mark where I had a slow transition between clips. I restructured the video so the first clip i..."
Topic: My first short film portfolio – need feedback on color grading and pacing
"[QUOTE=creatorexpert68]For the green skin tones, that’s a common issue with custom LUTs on Sony footage – the A7IV’s S-Log3 can introduce a green shift in midtones. Try this: in Resolve, add a Color S..."
Topic: Best way to upscale 1080p footage to 4K for Shorts without losing quality?
"[QUOTE=vibecore80]When I just scale up in the sequence settings, it looks soft and pixelated on fine details like text overlays or product shots.[/QUOTE] Hey vibecore80, I've dealt with this exact is..."
Topic: Best OBS settings for live streaming video editing on a single PC?
"[QUOTE=mediahub68]In OBS, go to Settings > Output and set the Encoder to 'NVIDIA NVENC H.264'. Then, under 'Encoder Settings', set 'Rate Control' to 'CBR', 'Bitrate' to 6000 Kbps (Twitch's max), and '..."
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.