Book Review : 'Making YouTube Videos'

The Wacky Duo

So your kids want to be YouTubers but do not know where to start. How about am getting a book titled Making YouTube Videos for help ?

Let's face it , the generation today do not watch Tv anymore . In place of the normal channels , kids nowadays are obsessed about YouTube channel. Blame it on the proliferation of mobile platforms and improved connectivity . It is not surprise that YouTube becomes their staple tv programme.

Not only are they hooked , they have professed their desire to be YouTubers . Before you scream 'blue murder' , it is not a bad idea . After all, top YouTubers are getting a million or more by posting videos on the Internet . In today's technologically advance reality , traditional desired occupations such as doctors , lawyers , bankers are no longer the top draw for youngsters .

I was a child before I became a parent. At that time, I was given the liberty of choice by my own parents . As such, I am trained to leave life choices to my children . I may nudge them here and there on the path to a future career , but I only do so to let them achieve the potential . So when I got to know about Dummies series producing books for young kids , I find that as an opportunity to learn with the kids on topics close to their heart.

Making YouTube videos targets children from age 7-12 . This book sets itself up in four main stages. Getting started, shoot, edit and share. If you asked me , attaching the YouTube Name is merely a marketing gimmick . On the contrary , this is a book that teaches the essentials of filming . Each individual sections expands on the basics of videography.

It starts off by telling you the various equipments you should use. The more interesting bits are the shooting section, where the author( Nick Willoughby- a kids filmaking teacher) shares the process and tips of getting the footage for the video. The editing portion focus on videos edited on iMovie, so it is recommended that you have the app installed in your Macs, tablet or phone. At this stage the boys does their videography on the iphone and had already explored iMovie. In fact they had already started making their own blockbuster with the older boy being the director and the younger one willing to act as the video star.

The YouTube part comes in the final chapter of the book, where it guides you on how to upload videos to YouTube . With today's technology, you do not really need a whole chapter to upload the video. However the book does touches on useful bits as to what happens AFTER you uploaded the videos. This includes a section on changing the video setting on Youtube.

Overall it is an easy book to read . An oldie like me also picked up some tips on filming . As someone who prefers photography to videography, it is a good read as videos would help to add to the creativity aresenal . One thing that might be lacking in the book is a section that teaches about the dangers that lurks on the Internet. It would be useful to highlight what a child should or should not do on Youtube.This includes posting undesirable videos and more importantly getting permission from adults before you post.

For videos created for home entertainment , there is no harm in making them . As they say practise makes perfect. With the aid of the book, we might have a potential Steven Spielberg or George Lucas in the making.

If you want to checkout the videos we made, do visit our Youtube website at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWackyDuo

Other titles are available for younger kids too . From Modding Minecraft to Coding , you might find the book to suit you. Older kids can refer to Dummies for Kids series as guides. Do note that some books required you to have access to computers or to register or purchase the game (eg minecraft ) before proceeding . Also note that the codes in these books last for a limited time only . Making YouTube videos do not have that restriction , making it a timeless guide for any kids who wants to be the next video star.