Video reviews, good or bad?

Post by **JediTricks** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:35 am

We were actually discussing this in the emails that led up to this board, and then someone a few days ago sounded off against 'em, so I felt it appropriate to be one of the first polls on the site.

So far, video reviews have been fairly unique to Transformers, I'm a big Star Wars collector and we just don't have that in the line, the closest being podcasting. I can understand why TF might need videos though, they have multiple modes, lots of articulation, unique decos, and usually a few features. But I can also understand why folks might not like them, as they run very long, they often feature a reviewer gamely fumbling with the item halfway out of frame and spending a great deal of time transforming the figure, and many reviewers forget what to say or run out of things to say several times... and did I mention they're often really long? The funny thing is, video reviews sorta came about after our previous forums closed, so I don't think we've actually talked about it before.

So, good, bad, or don't mind? You decide, but please make sure you are familiar with the concept before you vote.

donosaur · Post by **donosaur** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:02 pm

I say yea, but with a qualification: When you write a text review, you can edit what you write (hopefully you do, at least). So that way, if you think of a joke you can go back and add it, or if you realize part of it is far longer than it needs to be you can go back and prune it. The problem with video reviews seems to be that reviewers just go off the cuff, and that's why we end up with meandering, lame, way-too-long reviews. If you're going to video review something, write notes or an outline or even a script if you have to first. Yahtzee writes his scripts before he records his audio, and that's why his reviews are so polished and entertaining. Also, i would suggest some basic video editing. Cut to close up focus for the transformation sequence and dub the audio of you talking about it over it, rather than just holding the transformer in front of the camera and going "See? and this, and then...umm.. a tank!"

Basically, if TF video reviews can live up to the quality that good game video reviews, I'm all for em

Post by **onslaught86** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:48 pm

Bad - they're primarily used for the same self-gratifying reasons people buy test-shots of upcoming figures and post 'reviews' along the lines of "This toy is cool, I own it and you don't, here's fifty blurry photos."

The medium has potential, but I've not seen anything remotely close to realising it yet. Except perhaps the pisstake ones where a guy fiddles with G1 Thundercracker and complains that Classics aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Post by **138 Scourge** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:02 pm

onslaught86 wrote: Except perhaps the pisstake ones where a guy fiddles with G1 Thundercracker and complains that Classics aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Is this the dude what's got the Hannah Montana poster as his background? Because if so, that guy rules. I love his review of Titanium Scourge labeled "Classics Cyclonus". His Classics Prime review is friggin' Oscar-worthy!

Overall, I don't much care for 'em. Unless it's, say, short, to the point, and at least moderately entertaining. It can be a lot easier to show a transformation or action feature, I suppose, than to describe it.

One of these days, I'll subject the world to a comic-strip TF review, see if I don't...

Post by **Onslaught Six** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:39 am

Bad. Like CrossRook said, the medium has potential, but I have yet to see it done at all well.

I 'did' find a somewhat decent review of Skyquake the other day, though. With basic editing! He didn't show the transformation at all, though, it was basically "Okay, now he's in robot mode, and the lighting is different because it clearly took me a while to do it."

Jesus, imagine Alternator video reviews.

Post by **andersonh1** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:42 am

Bad. Bad all around. If these video reviews were edited to just the good bits, with professional grade voice talent and good lighting, there might be some hope. But most of the ones I've seen are painful to watch.

Post by **Onslaught Six** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:04 am

What's even worse is clearly when the guy doing the reviewing is an idiot. Someone was all, "Well, this guy used to be called Bluestreak, but he's the reissue and he don't got no blue on him, so I like that they call him Silverstreak now."

He also proceeded to mistransform his legs and do Red Alert wrong entirely.

I also hate that guy who has the stupid tattoos on his fingers. Shit like that almost makes me embarrassed to be a fan, because these guys end up representing us to the rest of the world.

Post by **CrossRook** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:09 am

Onslaught Six wrote:Bad. Like CrossRook said, the medium has potential, but I have yet to see it done at all well.

I 'did' find a somewhat decent review of Skyquake the other day, though. With basic editing! He didn't show the transformation at all, though, it was basically "Okay, now he's in robot mode, and the lighting is different because it clearly took me a while to do it."

Jesus, imagine Alternator video reviews.

When did I say that? Seriously, I honestly can't remember...

I once saw a video review of Trans-Scanning Bumblebee. Good thing the guy was drunk when he did it. And then edited when sober. He also did a review of Encore Omega Supreme.

I like when people don't take themselves to seriously in their reviews. It makes them worth watching. Or when they're short and to the point.

Post by **Onslaught Six** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:13 am

CrossRook wrote:When did I say that? Seriously, I honestly can't remember...

Shit, I somehow mixed you and 86 up. Perhaps because I was talking to him while I was posting, so I couldn't possibly mean something he said.

I like when people don't take themselves to seriously in their reviews. It makes them worth watching. Or when they're short and to the point.

"THIS TOY IS GREAT! BUY IT NOW. THAT IS ALL."

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:00 am

I am in favor of them. As has been pointed out, the format has potential. And, the only way we will see it used to that potential is to allow it to be used.

I expect editing problems, as most people are unfamiliar with the technology. And, people can brag an be obnoxious in text reviews.

Dom
-would review toys topless.

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