How to Tell A Story

[@MeMyselfAndPi]

These videos are really helpful. I'm getting a degree in Digital Arts in Communications, and being able to tell a story effectively is just what I need to learn for the content I'm producing. Keep them up!

[@Caboozel]

Really didn't expect to see you here

[@CorridorCrew]

Thanks! Nice cubin'!

[@Caboozel]

samandniko Either of you guys dabble in twisty puzzles?

[@MrTVCow]

Thank guys. You do great and very inspiring work. Hello from Russia :)

[@storytellerjack22]

As my name implies, I'm very glad you made this video. There is nothing more utopian than free and useful information, and nothing more entertaining than a good story.

[@NelsonStJames]

You said it!

[@NelsonStJames]

I think you guys are right on point, especially when it comes to people doing films for the web. The elephant in the room that many people don't address is that the audience brings a different mindset to the experience when they're watching a indie project as opposed to a Hollywood film. While they might be willing to sit through a slow start with Spielberg (and even that's starting to change), they're not willing to give seconds to an unknown to grab their attention before their off looking at something else. The ability to tell an intriguing story is the one weapon in the filmmaking arsenal that the indie has that places them on the same level as the big boys and many people fail to exploit it to maximum potential.

[@Kohana006]

Thanks for these videos. I'm not a film maker, nor do I have any desire to get into film making, yet I still can sit and watch these and be entertained. I also like seeing what in the world goes on in your heads when you make these shorts.

[@JordanFountain]

i feel like I am going to have to watch this like 3-4 more times to really get it

[@seeminglyRANDOM88]

"Brush of Death" is still one of my favorite videos from you guys. Would love to see more like that in the future.

[@NomadOverNormal]

I love these production tutorial videos you guys put out every couple weeks. I see myself as pretty advanced in a lot of different things, but there are always several different things that really help me grow as a producer.

[@SofEath]

You guys are one the reasons why I am inspired to become a writer/filmer. Thank you guys so much for being such a big influence on me and helping me gain inspiration!

[@MAMAsb0y]

It would be awesome if you guys made another full length movie.

[@TheWambat]

Movie! Movie! Movie! :D

[@lovelettera]

Another? What's the first one?

[@Sadiquecat]

Alaa Ali Sync on the bammo channel.

[@michaelallmon4274]

Sadiquecat no they actually have made a feature called "dark island"

[@michaelallmon4274]

look again man. they have even talked about it on a video. they are the directors. go to IMDb. bell ted

[@paowlful]

This was way more useful than everything,cause you managed to finally put the bases of film making,thank you for sharing all those tons of aspect that make me love what you do.

[@maychorian]

As a writer of stories since before kindergarten (no, seriously), and an RPG player since college, I can state definitively that all of this is true. :) Thumbs up, guys. You make great videos. It's always been evident to me that the two of you care about story as well as visual effects, which is part of why you're one of my favorite channels on KZbin. A video that's pure spectacle can bore me, but some of yours I've watched over and over and over and over. Your Rebel Blades video is a prime example. Great story, great cinematography, great acting, great effects, great everything.

[@BenHanratty]

Sam, Niko, you guys are ridiculously good. Words can't describe. The knowledge you are giving people is amazing. The "All About It" series is freaking amazing! Do you realise that in 50 years time, all the nominated film directors at the academy awards will have learned everything about film making and got into film making solely because of you guys? If I ever get nominated for best film or best director, you guys are getting a massive shout out. I have learned so much from you, its stupid, I probably won't need to go to film school all thanks to you. Keep it the fantastic work, would love to see more of Tether (and footloose 2 :D:D) Please keep on making these videos. Maybe next topic could be all about frame rate? Eg Why 24 fps looks the most cinematic. Thanks Sam and Niko, and greeting from England!

[@CorridorCrew]

Thanks Ben! Means a lot!

[@DrumDude0085]

Videos like these are why you two (Along with Freddie and Brandon of course) are my favorite people on the internet. Educational and Entertaining! Keep it up. thanks guys!

[@thomas4869]

As a video Journalist, thank you. A lot of what I do tries to follow what you discussed, but there is obviously differences with your field and mine. The character drives the plot is the best advice I've received in my entire journalism career. Thank you.

[@GOV3DSTUDIO]

I saw Hawken Sweater! Thumb up!

[@GeekNerdProductions]

I really dug this video. Not only was it very thorough and precise, but it can be applied outside of film. In ten minutes you explain a great deal on how to tell a story on any medium, be it a video, song, book or poem. Please do more how-to's that can apply to anything. I love you guys.

[@JasonRoseteFilm]

Very helpful guys! *high five* =)

[@ClassyDogFilms]

This videos has a lot of very good advice! A lot of it I'm sure was learned the old fashioned way, through experience and failure. I enjoy listening to Sam and Niko talk about their process of filmmaking because they're clearly very passionate about it.

[@BradleyMcCartney]

Thank you guys so much! With all of your amazing short films, and your tutorials, you really are an inspiration to young film makers.

[@XanderFlicks]

Thanks Sam and Niko! This helps a lot!

[@Nepathian]

This was really helpful, just what I needed! I need to come up with a story for an animation short by tomorrow and I've been struggling all day, so this is pure gold right now. Many thanks, my saviors!

[@beastdude]

love these videos, showing your point of view of what you've done and how you do it, but also making sure people know that it's just one of many ways to do it and you're always learning.

[@GabrielsLogic]

Hello long term watcher. Flashback

[@vincecab90]

I learn more from Sam and Niko than I ever did from film class or any other channel.

[@FilmAndGameAudio]

I have to say this is probably one of the best videos you've done to date about what and how stories are put together for short format media/short films. I'll be sharing it with the Frugal Filmmaker network. Keep up the great work.

[@davidballek450]

i just wanna thank these guys because, i have never been a very good dungeon master, and this has really taught me a lot about story telling in D&D. I usually just find a creature in a monster manual and decide when i want to add that creature into the game.

[@KLRCAT]

I've watched this video a lot because I like to keep reminding myself what a good way to write a story is. At the moment I'm working on making a web series consisting of 8-10 minuet episodes, and a lot of your videos have helped, like the stock footage video and the mics and audio etc.. anyway, keep doing what your doing, and I'll keep watching.

[@UltimateProjectsPros]

Great video, guys. Really interesting points raised here! You never here people bring up the fact that it is the characters that drive the plot. This is why we all love you and what you guys are doing! We'd love it if you could keep bringing these tutorials out. Thanks!

[@pinkluzangelica]

you guys are the bomb dot com. i really appreciated this video! all your time and effort is not wasted, it's inspirational!

[@egonhomes]

I'm an amateur spec screenwriter myself (still working on my first project), and a lot of the information you give is very good. I'd recommend reading the book "Save the Cat" and its two sequels. Excellent information on the progress of a story and the scenes involved.

[@SerCapelli]

I started watching this in preparation for my D&D campaign. Loved how that became a topic. Great video and thanks for the tips!

[@wotwott2319]

one of my Cinematic Arts lecturers taught me how to create a context of a story using the PEACE formation: P - Protagonist/Problem: the main character of a story who either change for the better, or stay for the worse with a problem that slowly gets worse and worse. E- Environment: an environment the protagonist would be in is something that would take them out of their comfort zone, and basically enhance their problems to become even worse. A- Antagonist: a person involved in the story that's the sole reason as to what drives the protagonist forward. The one who never changes, but challenges the protagonist to change. C- Collision: The Protagonist and Antagonist confronts one another for a final battle that would ultimately decide their fate for the future E- Ending: The end of the story with the conclusive fate of both character's future. (pro tip: the more tragic your stories are, the more memorable the story is.)

[@80TheMadLord08]

Great video guys! I know personally for me an idea for a short film or entire movie can actually come from just listening to a song, in fact I ended up making a whole screenplay from just listening to this one particular song!

[@Logisticious_gg]

You guys are such a huge inspiration for me, I'm really hoping I can one day do films, games, shows, or SOMETHING that can tell stories like you guys.

[@RobRoskey]

You guys have the story telling model down to a science. I only wish I could relay the msg im trying to the way you guys do. Corridor hass the Best channels on KZbin by far!

[@brightshadow525]

Niko's Minnesota accent really came alive in this video for some reason.

[@MrMuZzL3Pr3sS]

"Use your camera dummy." -Sam 2013

[@XtraXllence]

Thank you for all of your heard efforts. I have been deeply entertained with most if not all of the videos you have to offer. I look forward to seeing where this will take you, or whom it will inspire to take the flame and hold it higher. Stay awesome!

[@TugboatBANDIT]

Love your videos as always. Your advice on plot and characters is very good and improv comedy runs smoothly along with your opinions

[@LaneCarter]

I'm loving these detailed filmmaking basics videos. This one was especially informative, and really helps me think about what I should do when I make a video. Btw, Breaking Bad lines up with pretty much all of your points.

[@Aulisten]

You guys are awesome! Delivering that tangible, practical information 👏🏽 👏🏽

[@blinkfarm]

If you guys are ever looking for a good book that gets pretty deep into storytelling, expanding on the concepts in this video, one of my all time favorites is John Truby "The Anatomy of Story". His lectures/workshops used to be considered (and may still be) mandatory by LA screenwriters perfecting their craft, and he captured the basic concepts in that book. (Unpaid endorsement haha)

[@sighlus]

You guys are my heros. Thanks for the advice!

[@theduckfliesagain]

Thanks for all of these awesome videos guys, both on your main channel and this channel. Really inspirational :)

[@Oatinator]

Film making is something id love to get into as a hobby, and i think stumbling upon your channels is gonna help me figure out how to make that a reality.

[@jonmkl]

Great video guys! Some of these concepts were things I knew but I've never heard put forward so simply, I think looking at it this way will really help me iron out wrinkles in my stories going forward. Conflict and Intrigue HOOO!

[@TylerMProYT]

I love your videos! Thank you for making these great tutorials! You guys are my number one role models!

[@linklw]

This was really helpful thanks alot guys. (Niko your laugh is still amazeballs)

[@loge7542]

9 out of 99 in favorite playlist! 9/99

[@bullsquid42]

That was a great video! It sounded simple but so many people who write for TV and movies could learn from you. So many bad movies feel like a bunch of "cool" situations that don't fit together at all.

[@ra0ul]

Great video for new filmmakers and an excellent reminder for the seasoned.

[@AndreasFilms]

I'm a film student and i'm doing my dissertation on story and storytelling.. i might reference a couple of stuff from this video! thnx :)

[@qutalive]

I'm director beginner myself, so I read pretty much all of this in books. But it was really interesting to hear your thoughts and advices. Helpful video. Thanks!

[@chefkendranguyen]

Good advice.

[@CaminoTriunfante]

You guys are the best team! Thanks for sharing soooo much knowledge!

[@pockettes3918]

i've always wanted to write a book series or shoot a small films series. thanks so much for the tips and helping me with dealing with ideas and plots and characters! i've always gotten to those writer's blocks or a part in the film script where it won't work. thanks for helping!!

[@barkiebark297]

Great stuff and thanks for the pointers! A friend and I plan to do something on KZbin as well - 2D animated shorts and film - and while we have basic technical know-how to do this, we're finding ourselves short of funds and resources to find the proper equipment to do the filming portion. We don't plan on having crazy, amazing things while we're first starting out - but any advice on finding decent equipment to record film and audio on a college student budget?

[@KaiHellSky]

Actual analysis of your process: You guys are pretty close to what we learn in a general sense. Most of the material I'm at right now is the three act structure, but from attending a pitch session, with Ross Brown as the "producer", I can see how you guys came to your own terminology and labeling for the happenings in your videos. Act 1 *The Setup and Break in Routine* aka your Context - Set the world up. Act 2 *The Arc/Midpoint - Alliances formed and Battles won or Lost* aka The Idea being fleshed out Act 3 *Climax/Conclusion* aka Punchline ^ Can even work for a 5 minute video, as you've accomplished many times ^ Well done for getting this all on your (Assumed) own. I was pretty close before I came here(MCTC), but the technicalities and 'style' were lacking. I don't really see that in you guys as you have style and technique. Dunno if Hollywood would thumbs it up, but you definitely capture the viewer, which ultimately is the goal. I hope that you continue to learn, as I hope I will, and continue to make such eye opening videos. Good luck, guys. I hope you don't get slammed by all these negative temperatures on your 'filming' sites.

[@RossKierGuys]

I think you guys are awesome! This has helped sooooo much!! Thankyou Sam and Niko :) YOU ROCK!

[@DARKSONIC453]

Thanks for this guys, I currently have two ideas that I need to share with the world. I needed exactly what you two provided, now I can take my time and get my thoughts down until the ideas are all sorted out.

[@AAKFILMPRODUCTIONS]

I thought I knew what it took to tell a story but you guys pointed out things that I didn't know, really helpful!

[@cseverio]

Hey guys I love the work y'all put out with all the action and funny concepts related to video games and things that interest you in life but just as a fan I would love see y'all put out a video that could be taken from a video game but was a serious drama were the focus of the video was not totally on the action and intense fight scenes or even the effects and cgi. I would totally love to see the focus more on the emotions, feelings, conflict, problems, and acting of the characters. It probably won't happen I would just love to see one. Again I love the work Y'all put out! It's amazing.

[@andyony2]

Still amazing, how well Nikki could already explain complex things like he does it nowadays!!!

[@tpayne_technical_artist]

Love this kind of bts stuffs you guys do! Really great to here your tips and techniques!

[@WolfLPer]

Could you guys make a video on how to get where you guys are right now? (Career wise) Because that's Almosen exactly what I want to do....like....with life ^^

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

What are the odds these two would be pen & dice gamers...I could smell it on them. This whole video series is a series of natural 20's. Well done guys; damn informative.

[@PixelTrooper]

Hah Sam at 6:30 he looks like he needs to go to the toilet or something like that

[@MrAnothis]

Great advice guys. For people interested in knowing more about storytelling, go read "Story" by Robert McKee. Pretty much everything they said is explained in full in that book which is pretty much the bible for screenwriters. It covers everything from the need of conflict to drive a story, to the principle of antagonism, both of which Sam and Niko talked about briefly. And that's not the only book to cover that kind of theory, but it's the broadest in my opinion, it touches on pretty much everything, which is perfect for an in depth introduction.

[@PytrOrBerserkr]

Even though you commented ages ago, thank you. Absolute genious piece of litterature.

[@rayhslim]

This is excellent. Very well put together. Thank you!

[@StalkerHD]

Hey I'm looking forward to get into filmmaking and videos like these are really helpfull. Espacially the "characters lead the story" part was great. Thx ;)

[@GoBiggie1880]

Sam and Niko: I love your down low on the Art of Story creating youtube vids. Start with something beautiful. (Use your camera dummy) Hahaha. Classic. Thanks for the great post.

[@KoksikPL]

You guys rock. All the time. Maybe you should stay still for some time.

[@danimitetwitch]

yeah usually if a youtube video dosnt catch your eye in the first 5 or so seconds people may just leave and go watch something else. establishing interest at the start is a great tip.

[@FtlBucket]

wow thats some great insight. I don't really make videos or post on youtube, but i've always liked story writing and visual storytelling. I have somewhat of a hobby in drawing comics, and i would like to get into animation, but I always get caught up in the evolution of my story. This has definitely helped bring some fresh light to that. Thanks guys.

[@LD1345]

Yet another reason I became a DM.

[@THTerra]

+KENJI Death Master

[@MrBlockoh]

KENJI dungeon master

[@Zoll1989]

Niko with that scarf always looks like a fake Niko

[@ABigHatProduction]

This is really helpful. I'm about to write a short film and I wasn't sure quite where to start. Thanks guys! You're always like my own personal film school!

[@Simoong94]

You guys are awesome, not really into making movies and such but i still watch it :)

[@ricardovallejo5495]

Thanks guys! i really appreciate how you guys make these videos and help us out and teach us what you know. It really means a lot to me.because i wish to become a great filmmaker like yourselves, and make good videos. Thank you very much guys, it Really helps me out:)

[@JerryFlowersIII]

Isn't one of those people (8:50) from Pathfinders, the girl

[@Bryankrauss]

Great video, lots good information. Other resources for storytelling: 20 master plots and Pixar's 22 rules of story ( that aren't really Pixar's)

[@TooLazyToLive]

Very good points made in the video. I always get lost in editing because I end up getting a thousand new ideas while I am editing or doing special effects. I also do a lot of animation so unfortunately I end up drawing a lot more and creating more intricate backgrounds and environments. On deadlines this plays against me

[@jerrybobsyouruncle7472]

A lot that's said in this video also applies to writing a book, especially the conflict/intrigue thing. Great video guys! :)

[@101blender]

If you could knock down that camera shake a lot, it'd be much easier to watch, especially the close-ups. I was also drawing shapes on your faces with the blow-out patterns. This is a nice summary of story. I've discovered similar styles of storytelling as an animator, although it takes a little more time and principles to make it work well. Thanks for making these videos describing your workflow; it's enlightening to see how others work.

[@doozrey]

This is video had such great timing for me! Many thanks!

[@youjustdontdo]

We're also constantly trying to figure this out and often find ourselves between what we would like to show as a filmmaker to set the mood and develop characters vs. what is suitable for youtube that always wants shorter, faster, punchier. How do you guys manage this split?

[@CorridorCrew]

Punchier doesn't always mean shorter, and faster doesn't always mean punchier. What the KZbin audience really demands is efficiency. You can't waste people's time with long, slow shots unless you have built up adequate tension and purpose. Then you're fine.

[@xterashooterx]

the 'want' of the main character is also very important in a story.

[@JordanFountain]

awesome, really enjoy these videos, thanks guys!

[@MrTheposter]

What do you guys think of Peter Jackson? How has he changed as a story teller from the Lord of the Rings to the first Hobbit? Obviously it would be better if we could compare LotR to all three Hobbit movies. The 2nd Hobbit movie sounds a lot faster pace wise. Perhaps there is a difference due to the two quite different mediums he used to construct the films (The hobbit being a simpler book where the narrator does much of the story telling and not the characters which is on odds with LotR books).

[@LiamKenneyDillon]

Thanks for the help with filmmaking! Trying to get into USC, and these videos are going to help me with my portfolio. Thanks a lot guys!

[@stshy]

any possibility of making a video on how to shoot your film and choose the angles at the time of shooting? Another good tutorial would be the editing process as well, like when and what cuts to make.

[@TheSmDFx]

your dayz video should have got more views it was amazing

[@ipie13579]

i really loved the tether shot break down it'd be great if you could do those more often

[@JaredIsham]

I love that you totally blew your nose on camera.

[@TheRealAlpha2]

While the methods described might sound a little odd to some, they do sound perfectly reasonable for the purposes of making a smart youtube video without the excess involved in a full scale motionpicture or other long form story. What I took from it was to quickly establish setting, tone, and motivations so that you can get to the fun part as quickly as possible. In a youtube short you want people interested enough early on to stick around for the next 9-15 minutes rather then wandering off to a let's play or something (unless you're going to Node where even their let's plays have stories!), as opposed to a 70 movie where you can take time to establish multiple environments and character motivations or dwell on emotional upheaval.

[@itzmarnick]

Thanks for this great video. I'm really intrested in story development and how to correctly do it. And I'm wondering: how can I find my audience who could enjoy my video's. And how to stand out from the crowd.

[@theteentalks]

You guys are so awesome and intriguing.

[@AaronGRandall]

Great advice on story telling! Thanks guys!

[@71Yth1]

TETHER IS SO AMAZING PLEASE MAKE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MikeHalfLife5]

So I have a question, I'm always really low budget on the projects I work on. You guys are a bit different in that sense, however, do you have any ideas on how to get really good shoot locations and various other costumes, props, etc. Also, you guys also have near cinematic quality videos, is that from using the RED or is that post production? Thanks guys!