Colt Kirwan's Creative Video Workflow: From Idea to Post-Production, Including Gear and Editing Tips

Colt Kirwan

Summary:

Colt Kirwan outlines his process for crafting creative YouTube videos, from idea generation to post-production, emphasizing unique storytelling, appealing packaging, and efficient editing. He captures initial ideas via iPhone voice recordings and scripts them in Notion. He stresses the "creative edge" - adding distinct elements like a Lego lightsaber for unboxing or unique characters like "Dora the New Yorker" and "Oscar the Grouch" to make content stand out. His "Lunchbox Theory" highlights the importance of compelling thumbnails and titles ("the lunchbox") to attract viewers, which must be backed by high-quality content ("the delicious sandwich") to build trust. For filming, while he uses high-end gear like the Sony A7S3, specific lenses, and a dual audio setup, he views them as conveniences, not necessities. He also discusses overcoming filming anxiety by having a friend assist. In post-production, meticulous footage organization and impactful music selection are crucial. He significantly speeds up editing in Premiere Pro with custom keyboard shortcuts for mark in/out, zoom, ripple edits, and cutting, keeping essential tools within reach of his left hand.

The Evolution of Video Creation [0:08]

Colt Kirwan reflects on his journey in video creation, starting with his first YouTube vlog in 2016. He emphasizes that he began with no prior knowledge and progressively acquired new skills with each video. This video aims to share lessons learned and save viewers time by offering actionable tips.

Cultivating and Refining Ideas [0:41]

Colt details his process for capturing and developing video ideas.

• Idea Generation and Capture [0:41]
  • Ideas can range from fully fleshed-out concepts to small inspirations.
  • They often strike at random times, necessitating quick capture to prevent forgetting.
  • Rapid Voice Recording: An iPhone shortcut quickly starts a voice recording, serving as the fastest way to get ideas out of his head.

    

  • Structured Scripting in Notion: Notion is used to track and script out ideas, which helps maintain structure, especially for those who struggle with freestyling on camera.

    

  • Scripts are loosely followed, acting as a guide rather than a rigid dialogue.
• The "Creative Edge" [1:32]
  • Colt strives to make his videos stand out by adding an "extra 10%" of creative effort.
  • This extra effort makes the production more challenging but enhances audience appreciation and motivates him.
  • Transforming Common Concepts: While his topics are often proven concepts (e.g., camera bag reviews, vlogs), the "creative edge" transforms them into distinct "Colt videos."
  • Examples of Creative Edges:
    • Mario Kart Video: Painstakingly unboxing with a Lego lightsaber instead of a knife [2:36].

      

      

      

    • Camera Tutorial: Introducing "Boots" (a magical pair of boots) and "Dora the New Yorker" (a character) to make a technical tutorial more engaging [2:52].

      

      

      

      

    • Recurring Characters: Incorporating "Oscar the Grouch" in multiple videos to break up regularity and "heighten reality" [3:21].

      

    • NYC Vlog: Including a complex chef recreation segment [3:33].

      

      

    • Other Examples: Minecraft portals, Yoda, Lego stop-motion, and his new buddy Pip [3:46].

      

      

      

  • "Dream Machine 3000": The creative edge for this video, conceptualized as a device that analyzes creative effort [2:09].
  • Purpose: This creative infusion adds soul to the video, providing a sense of ownership and distinctiveness to his content.

The "Lunchbox Theory": Packaging Your Content [4:20]

Colt introduces his "Lunchbox Theory" to explain the critical role of thumbnails and titles.

• The Metaphor:
  • The Sandwich (Content): Most videos start as a basic "sandwich" (a beginning, middle, and end) that gets the job done but doesn't necessarily leave viewers wanting more.

    

    

    

  • The Lunchbox (Thumbnail & Title): The thumbnail and title are like the lunchbox itself. A plain brown paper bag doesn't excite, leading to disappointment if the "sandwich" inside is just bologna.

    

• Attracting Viewers:
  • Standing Out: An exciting "Scooby-Doo lunchbox" immediately catches attention and sparks curiosity, making viewers more likely to click.

    

    

  • Building Trust: Delivering a "banging sandwich with pirate booty and Fiji water" after an appealing lunchbox builds trust, ensuring viewers anticipate a treat with future videos.

    

The Filming Process: Production Insights [5:52]

Colt shares his experiences and recommendations for the production phase of video creation. ![The oscilloscope displaying "[Act 2 - Production]," signaling the next phase of video creation.][109]

• Overcoming Filming Anxiety [5:57]
  • Filming can be stressful, especially staring into a camera lens.

    

  • He admits to being awkward on camera but notes that practice improves performance.
  • Editing allows for cutting out retakes and awkward moments, presenting a polished final version.
• Gear Philosophy and Essential Kit [7:09]
  • Gear as Convenience: High-end gear is not necessary to start YouTube (he began with an iPhone 6S), but it's a convenience that enhances video quality if affordable.
  • Core Camera Setup:
    • Main Camera: Sony A7S3 [8:04] – His primary camera for 5-6 years, used for all YouTube and client work. He considers it "the best camera in the world."

      

      

    • Vlogging Lens: Sony 11mm f/1.8 [8:41] – Super wide for vlogging, despite being an APS-C lens on a full-frame body, which creates a slight vignette he chooses not to crop.

      

    • All-Purpose Lens: Sony 20-70mm f/4 [9:20] – A recent acquisition to replace a broken Sony 16-35mm GM1, offering a versatile focal range without the pressure of extreme shallow depth of field.

      

  • Dual Audio Setup [9:47]
    • On-Camera Shotgun Mic: Sony ECMB10 [9:51] – Reliable, wireless, easy-to-use microphone, often left on auto-level for hassle-free recording.

      

      

    • Lavalier Microphone: Tentacle Sync Track E with a Cost 11D lavalier [10:05] – Provides 32-bit float, no-clip audio recording with timecode, offering peace of mind and backup.

      

      

  • Stable Tripod: Falcam Tree Routt Tripod [10:43] – A premium, stable tripod (around $400) recommended for protecting expensive camera gear, following a "buy once, cry once" philosophy for longevity.

    

• Asking for Help [11:13]
  • Filming alone can be daunting and lead to self-doubt.
  • Having a friend, like Tyson, assist with filming provides accountability and reduces the feeling of talking to oneself, making the process more enjoyable.

    

Post-Production Workflow [12:20]

Colt outlines his post-production process, focusing on organization, music, and efficient editing.

• Organizing Footage [12:20]
  • Before editing, all footage is imported and meticulously organized.

    

  • This extra step, though tedious, ensures a smooth and efficient editing process later.
• The Power of Music [12:44]
  • Music is crucial for giving a project life, setting the tone, and conveying emotions.

    

    

    

• Speeding Up Editing with Keyboard Shortcuts [14:04]
  • Customizing keyboard shortcuts is a "game-changer" for faster and more enjoyable editing.
  • The goal is to keep essential tools accessible to the left hand, minimizing keyboard navigation.
  • Custom Shortcuts for Adobe Premiere Pro:
    1. Mark In/Out Points: 1 and 2 (replaces default left/right brackets) [14:32].

       

       

    2. Zoom In/Out Timeline: 3 and 4 (replaces default plus/minus keys) [14:49].

       

    3. Ripple Edit Left/Right: Q and W (replaces manual cutting, selecting, deleting, and moving clips) [15:00].

       

       

       

       

    4. Ripple Delete: E [15:14].
    5. Cut Tool: R [15:16].

       

  • These shortcuts allow for rapid, fluid editing, making the process feel much more intuitive and efficient.

    

Conclusion and Encouragement [15:44]

Colt summarizes the key takeaways: finding a baseline topic, adding a creative edge, packaging videos with compelling titles and thumbnails (the "Lunchbox Theory"), understanding gear as a convenience, and utilizing music and keyboard shortcuts for efficient post-production. He encourages viewers to apply these tips and start creating their own unique videos.