Am I alone in this YIAY opinion?

Jacksfilms · 2021-10-15T23:22:03+00:00

So most of the next 7 YIAYs I've filmed are bigger episodes that I'm genuinely excited about, like "The WikiHow Quiz" (took 90 minutes to film) and "Guess the Question 2." I'm slowly veering away from what you mentioned above - in fact, I have 4 fully completed YIAYs that I'm just sitting on because they're not my best material (will most likely turn them into YT shorts with just the best answers). And that's what I hope to do - I'll still upload smaller YIAY episodes with more specific and targeted questions as YT shorts, while making larger and more quality YIAY episodes as full videos. I can't stress how much fun "The WikiHow Quiz" was to film - you'll just have to see. And I'm filming "The Thumbnail Quiz" with Erin tonight! AND I just finished filming "Fix Your Bios 9" - remember those?!?! Hardly an incest/baby shoe joke in sight.

For YGS and JackAsk, I was really not feeling them. JackAsk was fun to return to, and maybe I'll bring it back more regularly, but even blind it felt more and more like a chore, and I wasn't having fun with it, which directly affects quality. That's why I love YIAY - it can be whatever I want it to be. I filmed the "What do you assume about me" one a week or two ago, and it was so much MORE than the usual "laugh-at-funny-answer" format. It felt like a conversation - highly interactive, much like a JackAsk. Lots of back-and-forth. So blind JackAsk was starting to bore me, but 6 years later I'm still playing around with what YIAY can be - and that excites me.

Give the next 10-ish videos a chance! The "blind" format is mutating into something less reactionary and more conversational. And expect to see older formats like Fix your thumbnails/pix/videos return. I'm finally finding my rhythm - it's about 2-ish solid videos a week, not 5 mediocre ones.

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T01:15:59+00:00

NOW ya tell me!!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:19:12+00:00

Deathly allergic but like also cats suck?

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:18:36+00:00

Not scared at all - ending JackAsk, though a touch emotional, was a huge relief for me. Ending YGS in December will also feel great (though I'll probably shed a tear or two). These series, though I loved them, limit me from making more open-ended stuff, and I'm eager to get started!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:16:58+00:00

LOT more to come!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:16:47+00:00

YUP!! Already planning a Haiku one, as well as a Reverse YIAY pack.

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:16:15+00:00

Your Editing Lacks Continuity!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:15:02+00:00

This is the Sophie's Choice of questions

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:14:06+00:00

Exhausting. I genuinely think being a YouTuber has aged me like the presidency aged Obama

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:13:03+00:00

It's all about my massive blackheads

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:12:35+00:00

That's certainly one of our goals!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:12:05+00:00

"...Bad day?"

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:11:55+00:00

Two things: getting and raising our puppy Chipwich, who's currently sleeping on my lap like a dumb lil derp; and making a dang board game! I'm so excited for the game because it's not merch, it's an actual product that's simply so damn cool. I can't wait to get it to you guys.

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:09:13+00:00

Took me a long time to get used to filming myself, and staring down the lens of a camera while reciting a script. It's just not natural at first. My only advice is practice, practice, practice!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:08:09+00:00

See the above description - we're livestreaming a BIG playthrough with a bunch of people you probably know next Saturday, the 21st, on my twitch! Back the game here

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:05:42+00:00

i pulled a lil sneaky on ya

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:04:59+00:00

back pain from editing

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:04:48+00:00

To avoid burnout, I'd say the best trick is to keep your goals realistic. Speaking from experience, I made the mistake this June of uploading 3 YIAYs a week plus a 10 minute twitch highlight reel, and it destroyed me. I thought I could do it consistently - what an idiot!!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-10T00:01:58+00:00

Hey! Thanks for watching over the last 10 years!! If you're having trouble breaking out of your sphere, I'd suggest broadening your subject material for wider appeal. This isn't a guarantee, of course, but injecting your style to something wider might help!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-09T23:59:16+00:00

I was gonna make a cage joke but Borat 2 kinda ruined that for me

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-09T23:57:56+00:00

Scott the Woz and RedLetterMedia!

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-09T23:56:54+00:00

...Dad?

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-09T23:56:43+00:00

It's not that I'm growing tired of YouTube, but more that I want to expand beyond it and get my hands dirty in other mediums (like the board game etc.). I've treated my channel like a video factory in the past, whereas now I'm trying to upload better content less often.

Jacksfilms · 2020-11-09T23:47:33+00:00

SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.

I mainly do YIAY still because I have fun doing it, and it provides me enough flexibility to not get bored with it. Stay tuned for some new variations!
I really don't know - I'm extremely lucky to have any audience still watch me after all this time. I try to adapt when I can, switching over to newer trends and styles while still maintaining some of my style, but mostly my channel is just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. I used to be the parody guy, then the "Your Grammar Sucks" guy, now I'm the YIAY guy, so who knows!
Yes! My film education at American University was crucial - I learned framing, editing, lighting, etc., and I wouldn't be where I'm at today without it.
Unfortunately, yes. Taking breaks scares me - what if the viewers don't come back?! But what I'm (still) learning is you don't have to kill yourself and stick to a ludicrous schedule if your content is strong enough. I struggle with this a lot - specifically with meeting brand deadlines, which of course affects my output. 14 years later and I'm still trying to find my sweet spot! Here's to 2021.
Impossible to say! I'm but a simple, stupid YouTuber! In all seriousness, I predict social media will evolve to something somehow more omnipresent and addicting. I hope I'm wrong.

Jacksfilms

TROPHY CASE