SoundPro78
@soundpro78
Joined: Mar 2024
Tokyo
Forum Topics Started
Showcasing my first client wedding film – need honest feedback on color and pacing
Hey everyone! I've been editing for about two years now, mostly family vlogs and small business promos. I just delivered my first paid wedding film, and I'm both excited and nervous. The couple loved it, but I know there are things I could improve. I'd love some honest feedback from the community, especially on color grading and pacing. I shot with a Sony A7 III and a 35mm f/1.8, using S-Log2. I edited in DaVinci Resolve 18.6. I used a LUT from a free pack, but I feel like the skin tones are a bit off in the outdoor scenes. Also, I'm worried the highlight montage before the ceremony is too long – it runs about 3 minutes. The final film is 12 minutes total. Should I tighten it? Any tips on matching shots between the ceremony (which was in a shaded area) and the reception (which had mixed lighting)? I've attached a link to the video – would love your thoughts!
Best way to find and vet collab partners for a small tech channel?
Hey everyone! I run a small tech review channel (about 12k subs) and I'm finally ready to start doing collabs to grow. The problem is, I have no idea where to even look for potential partners. I've tried a few Discord servers but they're either dead or full of people just spamming their own links. I'm looking for creators in a similar niche (tech, gadgets, maybe productivity software) with a similar sub count, and ideally someone who's actually reliable and fun to work with. What's your process for finding and vetting collab partners? Do you use any specific platforms (like CollabFinder, or just cold DMs)? And what red flags should I look out for when checking out someone's channel? I want to make sure I'm not wasting time or getting into a bad deal where I do all the work and they just ride on my audience. Any advice would be super helpful!
After Effects 2026: Best way to create a realistic 3D camera shake for a 'found footage' horror intro?
Hey everyone! I'm currently editing a short horror film for YouTube and I want to create a really convincing 'found footage' intro for the title sequence. I'm using Adobe After Effects 2026 (the latest version) and I've been trying to add a handheld camera shake to my 3D text and background plate. I've tried using the Wiggle expression on the position and rotation, but it looks too random and mechanical. I want something that feels like a real person holding a camera, with subtle breathing movements and occasional jerky motions. I've also seen some tutorials about using the 'Camera Shake' effect (the one that uses the Advanced 3D engine) but I'm not sure if that's the right approach for a 3D scene. My composition is set up with a 3D camera, a few 3D layers (text and a grainy video plate), and I'm using the Cinema 4D renderer. I'm on a Mac Studio M2 Ultra, so performance is not an issue. Can anyone recommend a workflow or a specific expression that mimics realistic handheld camera movement? Also, should I add a slight rolling shutter effect or is that overkill? Thanks in advance for any help! I'm really struggling to get that authentic 'shaky cam' feel without it looking like a bad CGI effect.
YouTube Shorts RPM tanked after 1M views – is this normal?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-shorts-rpm-drop-analysis-1784898378.jpg" alt="YouTube Studio analytics dashboard showing RPM drop after 1 million Shorts views" 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 uploading daily Shorts for about 3 months now, and one of my videos just crossed 1 million views. I was excited to see the analytics, but my RPM (revenue per mille) dropped from around $0.12 to $0.04 on that specific video. My channel is in the tech/gadget niche, and I’m monetized via the YouTube Partner Program. I use mostly original footage, no reused content. Is this a known pattern where RPM decreases after a certain view threshold? I’ve heard rumors about YouTube throttling ad rates for viral Shorts, but I can’t find any official documentation. Also, my average view duration is 95% (for a 15-second clip), and the audience is mostly US-based. Any insights would be appreciated.
How do you push through the 'it's not good enough' phase before publishing?
<img src="/uploads/creator-burnout-perfectionism-editing-desk-1784696715.jpg" alt="Creator feeling burnout and perfectionism while editing video on dual monitor setup with color grading timeline" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> I've been editing a video for the past week, and every time I think I'm done, I find something else to tweak. The color grade feels off, the pacing drags in the middle, and I keep second-guessing whether the hook is strong enough. I know this is classic perfectionism, but it's killing my upload schedule. I used to post twice a week, now I'm lucky if I get one out every two weeks. For context, I make tech review videos (laptops, monitors, peripherals) and I'm sitting on a review for a new OLED monitor that I finished filming three weeks ago. The footage is solid, but I keep re-cutting the intro. I've watched it so many times I can't tell if it's good or garbage anymore. How do you guys break out of this loop and actually hit publish? I'm starting to think I need a 'done is better than perfect' mantra tattooed on my arm.
My talking head videos feel lifeless – any critique on lighting and delivery?
<img src="/uploads/talking-head-lighting-setup-sony-a6400-premiere-1784553320.jpg" alt="Sony A6400 talking head video lighting setup with Neewer LED panels and Premiere Pro Lumetri color grading" 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 talking head videos for my tech review channel for about six months now, but I feel like my retention is stuck around 40%. I’m using a Sony A6400 with a Sigma 16mm f/1.4, shooting at f/2.8 to keep my face sharp but the background slightly soft. My lighting setup is two Neewer 660 LED panels with softboxes at 45 degrees, and a small RGB panel for a hair light. Despite that, the footage looks flat and my delivery comes off as monotone. I’ve tried varying my pitch and adding hand gestures, but it still feels like I’m reading a script. I’m editing in Premiere Pro 2025 and grading with Lumetri – mostly just a slight S-curve and a teal/orange look. Can anyone point out what I’m missing? I’ll drop a link to my latest video if needed.
Staring at a blank timeline for hours – how do you push through creative block?
<img src="/uploads/creative-block-blank-timeline-editing-burnout-1784451676.jpg" alt="Empty video editing timeline in Premiere Pro with coffee and notes on desk in dimly lit studio" 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 running a documentary-style channel for about two years now, and lately I'm hitting a wall that I can't seem to climb. I sit down to edit, open Premiere, and just stare at the empty timeline for hours. I have all the footage, a rough script, but the moment I try to assemble something, my brain goes blank. I end up watching YouTube or doom-scrolling instead. It's not that I don't have ideas – I do – but the execution feels paralyzed. I've tried taking breaks, changing my workspace, even switching to DaVinci Resolve for a fresh UI, but nothing sticks. Has anyone else dealt with this? What actually helped you break through that initial inertia? I'm worried this is more than just a slump and might be burnout creeping in.
Replies Posted
Topic: How to Make My Editing Reel Stand Out to Production Companies?
"Great question! I've been in post-production for over a decade, and I've reviewed countless reels. The key is to show your range but also your specialization. Production companies want to know you can..."
Topic: AdSense RPM tanked after algorithm update – anyone else seeing this?
"I've been following this thread closely and just wanted to add one more data point that might help others still struggling. I run a music production tutorial channel (65k subs, mostly US/UK traffic), ..."
Topic: Showcasing my first client wedding film – need honest feedback on color and pacing
"Thank you both @pixelflow28 and @actions.php for the detailed feedback! I tried the CST and it made a huge difference – the skin tones are much more natural now. I also trimmed the montage to 1:20 and..."
Topic: Why does my 4K footage look soft on YouTube after export? (Premiere Pro settings)
"[QUOTE=cutwave45]I've read about YouTube's VP9 compression, but I can't figure out the right export settings to preserve detail. Is it just a limitation of YouTube, or am I missing something in my exp..."
Topic: Best Royalty-Free Music Libraries for YouTube in 2026?
"I'll chime in as an audio engineer. If you're serious about music, check out Artlist – they have a unique licensing model: one subscription covers all forms of media (YouTube, podcasts, even commercia..."
Topic: AdSense RPM Dropped 40% After YouTube Shorts – Anyone Else Seeing This?
"Honestly, I went through this exact same panic back in late 2024 when I started posting daily Shorts to promote my long-form tutorials. My overall RPM tanked from like $7.20 to just over $4.00 in a mo..."
Topic: After Effects 2026: Best way to create realistic fire for a sci-fi short?
"Hey! For realistic fire in AE, the best approach is to use a combination of particle systems and fractal noise for the core and glow. In 2026, the go-to is still Trapcode Particular (now part of Red G..."
Topic: Why is my Reels retention dropping after the 3-second mark? (New editing style working against me?)
"I feel your pain, man. That drop-off right at the 3-second mark is brutal, and it's usually a sign that the hook isn't matching the content that follows. You mentioned you're using a cold open with a ..."
Topic: Hello from a Sound Designer Diving into Video – Where Should I Start?
"[QUOTE=audiocraft39]I've already got a decent mic setup (Shure SM7B, Focusrite interface) and a treated room, so audio is covered.[/QUOTE] Great start – audio is half the battle! For lighting, you wa..."
Topic: Shorts getting 0 views after posting – is there a shadowban or just algorithm roulette?
"That's a solid tip about re-uploading with a slight edit, @videowizard10. I've actually done that a few times when a Short felt "stuck" in limbo – just a tiny trim or changing the cover frame, and it ..."
Topic: How do you deal with burnout when the algorithm stops pushing your videos?
"I feel you, man. That sudden drop is brutal. I went through the same thing in November last year. What helped me was to stop looking at analytics for a full week. I know it sounds counterintuitive, bu..."
Topic: Best way to find and vet collab partners for a small tech channel?
"[QUOTE=pixelspark91]I look for at least 10% of subs as average views (e.g., 1k views on 10k subs).[/QUOTE] That's a solid metric, thanks! I'll definitely start using that. I think my biggest fear was..."
Topic: Best AI tools for auto-generating YouTube Shorts from long videos?
"I’m a sound guy, so I’ll chime in on the audio side. Many AI Shorts tools automatically sync captions to speech, but they often ignore background music levels. In my experience, you want the music to ..."
Topic: AdSense RPM Dropped 40% After Switching to 4K Shorts – Anyone Else?
"[QUOTE=editormaker84]my RPM has tanked from around $0.18 to $0.11, and my overall AdSense revenue is down about 40% even though my view count is up 20% month-over-month.[/QUOTE] Hey! That's frustrati..."
Topic: How to Fix Audio Drift in DaVinci Resolve When Using Proxy Files?
"[QUOTE=editorcraft36]If your BRAW files are 24fps but the timeline is set to 25fps (or vice versa), the proxy gets created at the timeline rate, and the audio is resampled incorrectly, causing drift o..."
Topic: Best royalty-free music sources for YouTube videos in 2026?
"Hey @cliphub48, great question! I've been through the same struggle. For affordable, high-quality music, I'd recommend [Epidemic Sound](https://www.epidemicsound.com/) – they have a huge library and t..."
Topic: How to Find Reliable Collab Partners for Gaming Commentary Videos?
"[QUOTE=audioguru78]I've tried a few subreddits and Discord servers, but most people either flake out or don't have the same editing style.[/QUOTE] That's a classic pain point. I've been doing collabs..."
Topic: Best AI tools for auto-generating YouTube Shorts captions and highlights in 2026?
"[QUOTE=lenswizard95]I use TubeBuddy's AI feature—it generates SEO-friendly titles and tags based on your video metadata.[/QUOTE] Good tip! I've also found that using the AI caption tools built into P..."
Topic: Dialogue audio sounds thin and boxy – what am I doing wrong?
"Hey @cutzone37 and @pixelflow28, great thread! I’ve been down this exact rabbit hole with a similar setup, and the blanket trick is honestly the best $30 you’ll spend. One thing I’d add—if you’re stil..."
Topic: Best LumaFusion export settings for YouTube on iPad Pro M4?
"Hey, great thread—this is exactly what I needed a few months ago when I started exporting from LumaFusion on my M4. I’ve been running similar settings to what @vlogmaker25 and @cliphustler93 suggested..."
Topic: After Effects 2026: Best way to create a realistic 3D camera shake for a 'found footage' horror intro?
"Thanks both for the detailed replies! I tried the combination of the wiggle expressions and the keyframed null approach, and it works perfectly. I also added the rolling shutter effect at 2% as sugges..."
Topic: How do you handle brand deal exclusivity clauses when you have multiple sponsors?
"Great question! Exclusivity clauses are super common, but they're almost always negotiable. The key is to communicate early and propose a solution that works for both sides. I've had success with narr..."
Topic: Best bitrate and encoder settings for 1080p60 live streaming on Twitch with a single PC?
"[QUOTE=actions.php]I've read that Twitch recommends 6000 kbps for 1080p60, but I've also seen people say that you should go higher if you're not Twitch Partner. What's the actual deal?[/QUOTE] Great ..."
Topic: How to find reliable collab partners without getting ghosted?
"Hey! I feel your pain – ghosting is super common in this space, but it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. I've been on both sides of the table (currently at 120k subs) and here's what I've lear..."
Topic: Best budget-friendly 4K camera for YouTube talking-head videos?
"Just to add a practical tip: whatever camera you get, make sure to set your shutter speed to double your frame rate (e.g., 1/60s for 30fps) to get natural motion blur. Also, use a custom white balance..."
Topic: Is it safe to use music from YouTube Audio Library for monetized videos?
"Just to add to what @help said, I'd also recommend double-checking the 'License terms' section for each track. Some tracks are cleared for YouTube only, meaning you can't use them on other platforms l..."
Topic: Using copyrighted music in YouTube tutorials – what's the actual risk?
"[QUOTE=focushub54]I've read conflicting info: some say using even 10 seconds of a song is risky, others say it's fine if you give credit. I know about the YouTube Audio Library and royalty-free music,..."
Topic: Struggling with pacing in my storytelling videos – any tips?
"Hey @vlogwave41, glad the three-act structure and mini-conflicts worked for you! I actually just wrapped a video where I applied a similar approach, but I added one extra layer that might help take it..."
Topic: Best way to integrate affiliate links in a gear review without looking spammy?
"[QUOTE=videospark77]Right now I just paste the links in the description and mention them at the end of the video with a verbal disclaimer.[/QUOTE] I'd suggest moving that mention to the beginning or ..."
Topic: After Effects expressions for auto-scaling text to fit a dynamic lower third?
"[QUOTE=zoomcore47]The key is to use `sourceRectAtTime()` on the text layer to get its width, then drive the shape layer’s rectangle size with that value.[/QUOTE] Great start! One thing to add: if you..."
Topic: How do you bounce back after a video flops? I'm seriously questioning everything.
"[QUOTE=directorflow93]I'm sitting in my editing suite staring at a half-finished script for a video on lighting techniques and I have zero motivation.[/QUOTE] I feel you, man. I've been there—actuall..."
Topic: How do you handle client revision requests that go beyond the original scope?
"Great points from both of you. I want to add something about communication timing. When you deliver a first cut, I always include a message that says: "Here's the first draft based on our agreed scope..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts RPM tanked after 1M views – is this normal?
"Thanks everyone, this really cleared things up. I checked the ad fill rate as frameclub13 suggested, and it was down to 35% on that video vs. 70% on my others. I’ll start experimenting with longer-for..."
Topic: How do you push through the 'it's not good enough' phase before publishing?
"[QUOTE=studiocore30]Another trick: watch your video at 2x speed. If you still get the main points and the pacing feels okay, it's good enough. The audience won't notice the 0.3-second gap you're agoni..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts views tanked after 3 days – anyone else seeing this?
"[QUOTE=videopro31]My first few videos got 2k–5k views within 24 hours, which felt great. But now, every new Short I upload gets maybe 200 views in the first hour, then completely flatlines.[/QUOTE] T..."
Topic: How do you write a compelling hook for a 30-second short that actually retains viewers?
"[QUOTE=focusguru37]Start with the most shocking or interesting fact, then backfill context.[/QUOTE] Great advice. I'd also recommend checking your 'audio waveform' in your editing software. If your h..."
Topic: My first short film portfolio – need feedback on color grading and pacing
"Glad you got the green cast sorted – that CST trick is a lifesaver for Sony footage. One thing I’d add: if you ever want to push the grade further without reintroducing that shift, try using the HDR p..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts views plummeted after 3 months of steady growth – algorithm shadow ban or content fatigue?
"I agree with @audiowave77 on the time shift, but also look at your audio. YouTube's algorithm now heavily weighs the 'audio retention' metric for Shorts—if your background track is too repetitive or m..."
Topic: My talking head videos feel lifeless – any critique on lighting and delivery?
"Thanks everyone – you all nailed it. I opened up the aperture to f/1.8, moved my background back about 8 feet, and adjusted the key/fill ratio to 80/40. That alone made a huge difference – the bokeh i..."
Topic: How do you keep going when your channel growth is completely flat?
"I want to chime in on the audio side because I think it's underrated for retention. If your AVD is 60-70%, that's decent, but could it be better? I noticed a huge jump in my retention when I started u..."
Topic: Best way to create a realistic hologram effect in After Effects?
"One thing often overlooked is the sound design of the hologram. A subtle high-pitched hum or a data-stream sound effect can sell the visual. In post, I'd also recommend adding a 'Lens Blur' to the hol..."
Topic: Staring at a blank timeline for hours – how do you push through creative block?
"Thanks both. I tried studiozone98's method today – I literally just dropped one clip, trimmed it, then added a second. Within 20 minutes I had a rough cut of the first segment. The timer trick from st..."
Topic: New Creator Here – Need Advice on First Camera and Growth Strategy for 2026
"[QUOTE=directorflow93]Audio quality is actually more important than video for retention.[/QUOTE] Absolutely second this. I've tested both cameras for client work – the ZV-E10 also has a headphone jac..."
Topic: How to price sponsorship deals as a mid-tier short-form creator?
"[QUOTE=lenswizard95]What's the standard rate card structure for short-form creators in 2026?[/QUOTE] Great question! First off, congrats on hitting 150k. For mid-tier creators in 2026, the industry s..."
Topic: Best gimbal for Sony A7S III run-and-gun documentary work in 2026?
"[QUOTE=framepro94]I've read conflicting reports on battery life and stabilization smoothness when using the A7S III's IBIS in conjunction with the gimbal. Some say to turn off IBIS for best results, o..."
Topic: Talking head video looks flat and lifeless – critique my lighting setup
"Hey @videowizard42, thanks for sharing the setup! I think the main issue is that your lights are too frontal and not creating enough separation. With the Neewer 660s, you've got continuous LEDs, which..."
Topic: YouTube Studio Analytics: Why Is My Estimated Revenue Dropping Despite Views Staying Consistent?
"Another thing to consider is the type of ads being served. YouTube has been pushing more non-skippable and bumper ads lately, but those pay differently than skippable ones. Check your Ad Type report i..."
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