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Eric, I miss your old style of videos. They seemed very laid back, you’d crack a joke every once in a while, and it just seemed like you were having fun. Now that you have your new shop your videos seem to get slower, more tiring, and safe as to offend or upset anyone.
I loved in your old videos how you’d always see a crush washer and say, “you should probably replace this, but I’m not going to.” People would fuss and complain in the comments, but you didn’t mind them. Now you seem to actually mind what these people are saying, I guess because they write your paycheck in a way, and are staying on a safe and proper ground to please them.
One of the things that irks me and an example is the use of the word “fastener.” You use it to describe every nut, bolt, clip, tie, and strap that you see. I know that’s what they are, and it’s 100% proper to call them that because that’s what they do, they fasten. But I feel like you’re trying to make these videos too proper and professional to the point where it’s losing its character.
Take this as input in the comment box, you obviously know what you’re doing and have become very successful at it. Here’s an example of the humor I am referring to in your older videos [around 9:45].
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I would suggest having a beer or two before shooting a video. Hell, have one during the video.
banana: banana: banana:
Things have changed no doubt. What I see is better lighting and camera work, a shop that doesn’t feel like a dungeon, and someone who is more comfortable in front of the camera. The truth is that I don’t want to spend a lot of time answering to those that like to ‘tear up’ my videos. Also, you need to consider that my videos are shown in many classrooms around the world. This is something I’m proud of but something I also take very seriously.
People are always trying to give me direction it seems, and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, what I’m saying is that it gets hard to tell what direction to follow. The way I handle this is that I just do what I do and try to make the best repair videos that I’m capable of. I figure the rest will take care of itself. Keep in mind ETCG is 100% produced by me and me alone. Trust me, it’s not easy to set up the lights, the camera, make sure the sound is good, and present as I try and repair something.
I think the humor is still there and I’ve always called ‘fasteners’ fasteners, I don’t do that special just for you, that’s just how I think of them. You also have to consider that I post weekly now, in the beginning I didn’t have a regular posting schedule so there were a lot less videos back then. I guess my point is that it’s difficult to make the comparison since there were less videos to draw on in the past.
Everybody wants something from my videos. These days that ‘everybody’ totals almost 200,000 with 500-1000 more being added daily. I can tell you that from where I sit, I’ll never make everyone happy, especially as my popularity grows.
The truth is that ETCG is a lot of things to a lot of people. Trying to please each one is pretty much impossible. What I do is a series of compromises that lead to a result. It’s my hope that the ‘result’ is one that gets the message across and doesn’t contain misinformation.
I appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind as I shoot future videos.
I have to agree with the o.p.. You will not make everyone happy, just hope you are happy and that is what matters. Some of your character is what help brings a lot to life in the videos. I try to watch some electronic channels once in a while, and find my self leaving the video before it is done. Some are comparable to watching chess on tv! Now do not take that wrong, I did not mean you,,,, yet! LOL!
i like using the term “fasteners” as opposed to “nuts and bolts”… ever since we did a study of the different classes and ratings of fasteners in auto fundamentals it’s become standard terminology.
Eric, I can’t claim to have been through what you have.
I know I can’t do what you do.But I have been through my own trials in life, and there’s one thing I’ve learned that I think you might need to hear.
You cannot make anyone happy unless you can make yourself happy. If you are unhappy, it comes across in everything you do.
That’s not criticism against you or anything you do, but something to keep in mind as you go forward. If you’re unhappy and not having fun making your videos, then it’ll show. Your style has changed, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing if it makes YOU happy. Be yourself, that’s all.
I’ll shut up now. But… I do hope you’re enjoying what you’re doing and that you can actually be happy doing it.
-Hinoki
No offense is taken with any of these suggestions or comments. The truth is, you’re right, the videos have changed. In some ways for the better but in other ways the pressure of having to put out a certain standard of ‘product’ can be daunting sometimes. I think my life will be a bit easier if I can at least find a good cameraman. That way I’ll be able to focus more on the content then the technical aspects of shooting and I can just be just myself rather than a camera man, a technician, and a presenter.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
Im always in love with you Eric, no matter what(no homo) I truly appreciate and admire you and what youve been doing, keep up the great work, amd be casual as much as possible
Eric your videos are awesome!
Now what would be cool is having a trained monkey as a sidekick. Monkeys make people laugh, like the one’s in the Super Bowl commercials.
[quote=”college man” post=58830]Eric this ones for you buddy. 🙂 something we all feel. Sing along if you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpn8MANhdLU%5B/quote%5D
🙂
I agree you will not make everyone happy… that is simply an impossibility. As careers go, getting bigger and bigger with each passing year it will become harder and harder that is just fact. You are doing great work and supplying everyone with great information that is what ETCG was created for and it is therapy I am sure for you in many ways. If people are “missing” you on a more comic relief personal level for which I really have yet to notice for the record (You are still personable IMO)… I would suggest maybe doing a stand-up “Mechanics” comedy DVD/YouTube routine for the lack of a better analogy once every couple of years. (I am sure have some pretty cool/funny stories to tell from your career… you have already demonstrated that in other video’s.) You have been compared to Mike Rowe “Dirty Job’s” and that is something to be proud of… but ETCG is about giving the best info. you can to us and that is what you are good at.
Thanks Eric.[quote=”brnmw” post=58872]I agree you will not make everyone happy… that is simply an impossibility. As careers go, getting bigger and bigger with each passing year it will become harder and harder that is just fact. You are doing great work and supplying everyone with great information that is what ETCG was created for and it is therapy I am sure for you in many ways. If people are “missing” you on a more comic relief personal level for which I really have yet to notice for the record (You are still personable IMO)… I would suggest maybe doing a stand-up “Mechanics” comedy DVD/YouTube routine for the lack of a better analogy once every couple of years. (I am sure have some pretty cool/funny stories to tell from your career… you have already demonstrated that in other video’s.) You have been compared to Mike Rowe “Dirty Job’s” and that is something to be proud of… but ETCG is about giving the best info. you can to us and that is what you are good at.
Thanks Eric.[/quote]Thanks very much for that. I LOVE your suggestion. Perhaps I’ll try that at the MeetUp this year.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58826]No offense is taken with any of these suggestions or comments. The truth is, you’re right, the videos have changed. In some ways for the better but in other ways the pressure of having to put out a certain standard of ‘product’ can be daunting sometimes. I think my life will be a bit easier if I can at least find a good cameraman. That way I’ll be able to focus more on the content then the technical aspects of shooting and I can just be just myself rather than a camera man, a technician, and a presenter.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.[/quote]
Eric, have you ever considered “hiring” an intern from a local college or university media program of study to help do your camera/audio work (and even edits, uploads, etc)? They would get valuable real world experience with a major YouTube video producer (you) and you get the “free” help. Giving them written credit in the videos would no doubt be a great thing for them to have on their resume. You could contact a college’s job placement office and/or media department to ask about it. Just a thought.
[quote=”RhinoBlu3″ post=60311][quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58826]No offense is taken with any of these suggestions or comments. The truth is, you’re right, the videos have changed. In some ways for the better but in other ways the pressure of having to put out a certain standard of ‘product’ can be daunting sometimes. I think my life will be a bit easier if I can at least find a good cameraman. That way I’ll be able to focus more on the content then the technical aspects of shooting and I can just be just myself rather than a camera man, a technician, and a presenter.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.[/quote]
Eric, have you ever considered “hiring” an intern from a local college or university media program of study to help do your camera/audio work (and even edits, uploads, etc)? They would get valuable real world experience with a major YouTube video producer (you) and you get the “free” help. Giving them written credit in the videos would no doubt be a great thing for them to have on their resume. You could contact a college’s job placement office and/or media department to ask about it. Just a thought.[/quote]
Yes that is an option I have considered. All I can say for now is that I’m working on it. At the moment most of my energies are going to the new website. After that I’ll turn my attention back to production. Thanks for the suggestion.
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