Production Update

Hey all,

Another update coming in right here. Since our last release (Fieseler Storch), I have once again been busy in the background working out how I am going to plan out future content. Part of this was continuing my work on the upcoming video on the Swiss Air Force during WW2, having a chat with my YT Partner manager and meeting someone from the YT production crew to see how we can improve future videos.

[Btw.: The above screenshot is of the newly release P-47D-28 from the IL-2: Grand Battles series - we streamed it yesterday on Twitch]

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Swiss Air Force

As most of you know, this video is a collaboration with another channel. I haven't announced who it is just yet, so now you'll be the first to know. It will be with Bloke on the Range, a British but Switzerland-based YouTuber who has been pushing out, next to more general videos on guns, a dedicated series on Switzerland during WW1 and now WW2. Part of the collaboration will be him appearing in my video (with a beautiful Swiss background of mountains!) explaining some of the history right there in the field! 

If I were to put an estimate, I would think this video will need another 2-3 weeks of production until release. Updates to follow.

• YT Partner manager 

After passing 100k subs, YouTubers get what is called a Partner Manager who assist the channel in establishing itself further on YT; or something like that. I still don't know where this is going but after a few calls and meeting face-to-face (a very welcome change considering YT), I can say I am happy with this program so far. It seems that any 'success story' that I could get out of this system depends largely on how I use it and whether I act on my own initiative. That suits me just fine. It has also allowed me to at least pass on some of the criticism I have of the platform. I will have another meeting next week. 

• Production crew meeting

Talking about taking initiative. Following the offer by my Partner Manager, I booked a session with one of the production advisers at YT. These guys are specialists in the technical part of videos, focusing on either hard- or software. My first meeting was with a chap whom I talked with for about an hour on the production aspect of videos i.e. the actual filming, lighting and sounds. After showing him videos I made (crawling in the Halifax, the Fieseler Storch) and explaining the difficulties I had, he gave me some helpful tips (and purchase recommendations) for equipment. 

Some of this stuff I will have to push way back into the future (esp. any new camera setup) but I am on the right track. For audio I have pretty much what I need (he advised against some more generic 'YT-Vlogger' equipment considering my content, and made his point on that). Lighting will be an investment that is probably next on the list - here I have multiple options (flex lights, stealth lights etc.) and will decide soon. Maybe for Black Friday, who knows. As for visual quality, my camera will do the trick for now although it does have its limitations. I will have to learn to switch from automatic settings to manual if I want to get the best out of it, but that is simply part of a process I knew was going to happen anyway. Post-production here will also have to be improved, with me hoping to perhaps join in a dedicated workshop in the future.

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Right, that is all for now. Any questions? Let me know down below!

Once again a big thank you for all your support - You're making this happen! 

o7
Bis