Opinions Sought

**mantic** · 08-05-2006, 07:59 PM

Gents-- I've already mentioned this on another thread but I want to repost here because its designed for the "newbies:"

I have completed an "Introduction to wetshaving" video. I had to break it into two parts for YouTube:

Part 1
Part 2

This is a proof-of-concept, so I'm looking for honest, critical feedback on how it might be improved. I already know that the narration is a bit choppy and some of the lighting is off.

Its aimed at the "newbie" just getting interested.

--Mark

**mrob** · 08-05-2006, 08:29 PM

Congratulations on putting together a resource that will be very helpful, especially to newbies.

I think the video looks good and contains lots of good info. It may, however, be a bit long at 15 minutes. While a recently converted wetshaver would happily spend 15 minutes looking at this video, I'd guess that the average newbie who is trying to decide if traditional shaving is for him will spend no more than 5 minutes watching a clip like this.

I'd also suggest that the pace of the dialogue be sped up a bit--it seems to drag at times, and I think a faster cadence would hold the watcher's/listener's attention better.

All in all, I think you have tons of good info here, and with a few tweaks you'll have a good resource available. Congrats!

**Queen of Blades** · 08-05-2006, 08:58 PM

I think one brush, one cream/soap, and one track mind. Go with what is most readily available for soon-to-be newbies. Don't discuss any other options at this point. You can do that in a later video.

I hope this helps.

It looked very professional though. Good work.

**mantic** · 08-05-2006, 08:59 PM

Mitch-- Thanks for the comments. The narration will definitely be re-done. I really struggled with the length; I'm not quite sure I communicate anything useful in only five minutes. Given YouTube's restrictions, maybe I could break each "segment" of the video down into independent videos. I'll have to think about that some....

--Mark

**mantic** · 08-05-2006, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by mrs. chefchris

I think one brush, one cream/soap, and one track mind. Go with what is most readily available for soon-to-be newbies. Don't discuss any other options at this point. You can do that in a later video.

Joanna-- Thanks for your thoughts. Interesting idea, particularly given Mitch's comments. It would definitely simplify things....

--Mark

**Mama Bear** · 08-05-2006, 09:04 PM

I learned a lot from it and enjoyed it also! I am not even a newbie, I am a person who has never shaved her face at all...(and God I hope I never have to....lol) and yet, here I am, hanging out on a regular basis with a bunch of hard core shaving men..... scarey stuff!

Worse yet, I am not even married. I don't have a boyfriend and my dog doesn't shave...... How totally in the dark can a person be? There is not one person on this forum who knows less about shaving... I believe that is a gimmee...

So, I have to say... if you don't mind hearing this from a woman, I loved the video. I never saw a man cross the grain shave and there is something about seeing it firsthand that will replace all the images I had in my head from men trying to explain it to me. Ask me about soap... I will bore you to tears for as long as you handle it without running away with your hair standing on end..... shaving... ummmm I am drawing a complete blank.

I loved your facial expressions, the time and care that you put into this and the proffessional level that it was done on. I loved your voice... and the fact that you hit on every imaginable nuance. I spent 20 years in broadcasting. I loved your video.

On the other hand... and you know with women, there is always another hand..... I want more! I want to see DE's and Straights...! I want to see more fancy brushes... and oh, I think you should use MY soap...

Thank you.

Sue (Mama Bear)

**Queen of Blades** · 08-05-2006, 09:05 PM

Oh yeah, female voice over would be better. If possible, of course.

How's your female impersonation voice sound?

JoAnna

**htownmmm** · 08-05-2006, 11:14 PM

Great job!

I think if one is a newbie, then the 15 minutes spent watching will be time well spent.

I too vote for female voice overs......

Marty

**Suzuki** · 08-06-2006, 04:49 AM

I think that it might make sense to have a 5 minute introductory video that just discusses the benefits of wetshaving and the basic routine - and then have separate videos discussing products and other types of razors, etc.

Finally, when you compare the badger and boer brushes, you should use the same cream as a control (a minor nit, I'll agree).

I agree that a female voiceover might be good, or perhaps a female male dialogue, with the female asking questions and the man answering.

**Tito** · 08-06-2006, 07:03 AM

Mark,

For first time out the gate I thought it was pretty damn good. A touch long but that's it.

Great job.

**Buzz** · 08-06-2006, 08:20 AM

For somebody who (presumably) isn't a professional, I thought the video was VERY well done. It hits all the high points and gives a nice overview of the good/better/best products.

The folks above have a fair point about the length being a little long. Editing the commentary down and going a little faster would probably be enough to hit right on target.

**mantic** · 08-06-2006, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mama Bear

... and oh, I think you should use MY soap...

Sue (mama bear)-- I've been reluctant to try many soaps, as my face is sensitive to bendonite clay. But if you want to send me a sample, I'll certainly try it.

--Mark

**mantic** · 08-06-2006, 08:58 AM

Female voiceovers are probably not going to happen.

The narration will definitely be "brightened" however.

--Mark

**Sue** · 08-06-2006, 09:02 AM

Mark,
From this woman's viewpoint, it is very, very good. It was informative, case in point; my husband didn't use a second or third pass. Just a minor touch up here and there with no re-lathering. No under the nose due to a mustach, so I wouldn't have thought that a problem area. To picture the process by reading is entirely different from seeing a demonstration

The narration was somewhat hesitant at times but this isn't Dateline. If you redo the audio, adding a female questioning you, may be a plus in that being questioned will probably eliminate most, if not all, of the hesitancy of going it alone. Another possibility I think would be a nice touch, is teaching a beginning teen the proper way to shave and have him ask questions.

I liked it Mark. Thank you for posting the links.
Sue

**mantic** · 08-08-2006, 06:20 AM

Thanks everyone for your comments! Based on the feedback, I'm doing the following:

Breaking down the original video into four discrete segments: Intro (the original first 6 minutes or so up through products, brushes and razors, and general technique. It'll also have more discussion of the "Zen" and pleasure of traditional wetshaving), Lathering, Shaving, and Aftershave Care.

Re-shooting some of the lathering segment to be more consistant (using the same cream when generating lather with a boar brush and a badger brush). Also reshooting some of the shaving segment for a more even/slower shaving pace and going through a four-pass shave.

Adding some additional video with close-ups of lathering and shaving.

"Tightening" and "brightening" the narration.

It'll probably take me a week or so to make the changes, then I'll post a link to "take two."

Interestingly, there have been 300+ views of the video so far.

--Mark

**Henrique** · 04-07-2009, 07:16 AM

The birth of a legend!

**New Orleans** · 04-07-2009, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Tito

Mark,

For first time out the gate I thought it was pretty damn good. A touch long but that's it.

Great job.

I'm not sure if it is long, or not. You would need to show it to a group of people who have never seen anything about wetshaving. Our group can't be objective at this point.

**Pureslab** · 04-07-2009, 08:33 AM

This video has been removed by the user.

???? After I clicked the link

**gooferbert** · 02-20-2010, 08:51 AM

I was just searching one day (about three months ago) for a solution to get rid of razor irritation and stumbled across your videos. I watched all of them several times. I have been wetshaving ever since.

So...coming from a complete newbie, your videos:

1. got me interested
2. kept my attention
3. explained the fundamentals to get me started
4. provided a new found hobby (dare I say passion??

)
5. made me laugh at times!!

I know this is an older thread, but just wanted to let you know that you are still changing lives with your videos

.

I think you have done an excellent job!

**Shillelagh3** · 02-20-2010, 10:43 AM

I imagine, judging by the dates of the posts that make up the "meat" of this thread, that any modifications made to the original videos have already been made; so I'll just say that they're excellent, informative, and enjoyable. They've been a vital resource for me as a newbie. Thanks!