The New Style of Video That’s Taking Over the Internet

Key Concepts

• Video as the Native Tongue of the Internet: The idea that video is the dominant form of communication online.
• Cinematic Style Video: Scripted, acted out, and well-produced video content, often resembling short films.
• View-to-Subscriber Ratio: A metric used to assess the engagement and potential growth of a YouTube channel.
• Modern Media and Marketing Stack: The combination of video content, podcasting, short-form ads, and other video-based communication methods used in contemporary marketing.
• Different is Better Than Better: The idea that unique and innovative content stands out more than simply improving upon existing formats.

The Rise of Cinematic Style Video

The discussion centers around a noticeable trend: the increasing popularity of cinematic-style videos, particularly among Gen Z, on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. This style contrasts with the raw, vlog-style content that was previously dominant.

• Examples:

  • Wesley Wang's "Nothing Except Everything": A 12-minute short film created by a high schooler that garnered 8 million views and led to Wang being signed by a production company after attracting attention from prominent figures in Hollywood. The film is described as having excellent cinematography, scripting, and a soundtrack.
  • Bat Molly (Matt Molly): An Instagram creator with 200,000 followers who produces short, cinematic videos. The speaker admires his style and the overall vibe of his content.
  • Maddie: A 19-year-old filmmaker who turned down a $200,000 offer to work for the speaker, choosing instead to pursue her own film projects.

• Key Points:

  • The accessibility of technology has made it easier for individuals to create high-quality video content.
  • Young creators are inspiring others to learn and develop cinematic video skills.
  • This trend represents a shift away from raw, unedited content towards more polished and produced videos.

Content Marketing and the "20 Ways to Craft Irresistible Content" Guide

The speaker briefly discusses the challenges of content marketing and how to create content that goes viral and attracts customers.

• Key Points:
  • Most content is ignored, making it difficult to achieve success with content marketing.
  • The speaker developed a guide called "20 Ways to Craft Irresistible Content" based on his experience at The Hustle.
  • The guide offers tactics and strategies for creating content that resonates with audiences and drives customer acquisition.

The Need for Modern Media and Marketing Education

The speaker expresses concern that traditional education systems are not adequately preparing individuals for the demands of modern media and marketing.

• Key Points:

  • The world is becoming "Hollywood," with every company and creator needing to produce video content.
  • The skills required for modern media and marketing include video production, editing, animation, and sound design.
  • Traditional film schools focus too narrowly on Hollywood careers and do not address the broader needs of the industry.

• Proposed Solution:

  • The speaker is exploring the possibility of acquiring a college campus and rebranding it as a for-profit university focused on teaching the modern media and marketing stack.
  • He envisions partnering with prominent creators to bring attention and legitimacy to the institution.

Examples of Successful Cinematic Style Video Creators

The discussion highlights several creators who are excelling in the cinematic style video space.

• The Iron Snail: A YouTuber with 381,000 subscribers who creates cinematic videos on niche topics such as the history of jeans and clothing quality. His videos have a high view-to-subscriber ratio, indicating strong engagement.

  • Example Videos: "Why You're Paying More for Worse Clothes," "What Makes Japanese Salvage Denim So Special."
  • Key Observation: Many viewers who are not initially interested in the topic find themselves captivated by the quality and presentation of the videos.

• Michael Mv: A financial advisor who creates high-quality sports content on YouTube. He initially gained a following by creating videos on tax law and financial planning.

  • Key Observation: His sports content is exceptionally well-made, despite not being his primary profession.

• Ryan Trahan: A popular YouTuber with 20 million subscribers who creates stunt-based videos. He also founded a candy brand called Joyide, which he promotes through cinematic commercials.

  • Example Video: "We Need to Talk" (Joyide commercial).
  • Key Observation: The commercial is exceptionally well-produced and engaging, blurring the line between entertainment and advertising.

"Different is Better Than Better"

The episode concludes with the idea that being different and innovative is more important than simply being better at what already exists. The success stories of the featured creators demonstrate the power of unique content that stands out from the crowd.

• Key Takeaway: The focus should be on creating content that is distinct and memorable, rather than simply trying to improve upon existing formats.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The conversation underscores the growing importance of video as the primary language of the internet and the shift towards cinematic-style content. It highlights the need for individuals and companies to develop video creation skills and adapt to the evolving media landscape. The speaker advocates for a new approach to education that focuses on the modern media and marketing stack, preparing individuals for the demands of the creator economy. The success stories of creators like Wesley Wang, The Iron Snail, Michael Mv, and Ryan Trahan demonstrate the potential of cinematic-style video to captivate audiences and drive engagement. The overarching message is that innovation and uniqueness are key to success in the ever-changing world of online content.