Smartphone Filmmaking Experiment: 2 Strangers Edit My Cinematic Travel B-ROLL

What do you think of the final edits? Which one was best and was it worth the money? Let me know below 👇

This might be one of the smartest, appropriate and non-irritating integration of a sponsor I've ever seen. We learn loads from your techniques as usual, but showing off your partner we still get interesting outputs showing how much different the edits make. Great job!

I’m so amazed that that insta360 selfie stick did not snap with the gimbal. Lol Great stuff. Rory killed it!

Rory's video was better because it gave me a chance to focus and absorb the subjects better. I'm not a big one for "flickering" type videos. They almost make me dizzy, LOL! I really enjoy your content. I know how hard it is to put your videos together!! Thank you!!

I liked the first edit and, although the swirly transitions are a bit naff, the colour co-ordination between the underside of the Arc and the autumn leaf worked really well, I thought. I was expecting much more from the second edit. Yes the music sounded more cinematic but was its mood appropriate for a travel-type video? Also, the fake night and storm effects just seemed out of place - like they put them in just because they could and not because they fitted the mood. In fact, the second edit couldn't seem to identify and settle on a mood for the sequence. The same with the fuzzy, glitchy effects and transitions - very clever and well executed, but what did they add to the narrative arc? The stabilization, colour grading and overall treatment of the video was far more professionally done than the first edit, but I much preferred Thinupa's effort overall, as his choice of clips and journey creation was way more engaging. Money well spent, I'd say.

As a viewer, I was more captivated by the first option; it held my interest and made me curious to see what would come next. On the other hand, the second option didn't engage me as much, and my attention started to wander. Therefore, if your aim is to create an aesthetically pleasing video for seniors, then the second option might be the best choice. However, if your objective is to capture and maintain the audience's attention until the end, I would recommend going with the first option. These are just my observations from an outsider's perspective. Remember, sometimes 'better' doesn't always mean more effective.

Both videos were fast paced, almost hyper active, and both lacked a “sense of pacing”. They both looked like they were trying to to shove as many clips as possible into a limited amount of time. That isn’t story telling and I feel both were a waste of money. Slow it down. Selectively know which clips to throw out, that don’t contribute to evoking a meaningful “experience”. Story telling.

I travel a lot and always create videos of my trips. I love capturing evocative B-roll and cinematic shots (as much as is possible with my travel itinerary), and my top goals in making each travel video is 1) to evoke a sense of place, i.e. what is unique to that location, and 2) to make the viewer feel what I experienced. In my opinion, both edits prioritized editing techniques, so that the videos are more about the editing itself than they are about Paris and experiencing it. Of the two edits, I prefer the second one, although I find the music ominous and wonder why a travel video would want to present Paris as being ominous. I think both edits would work well as opening sequences for an action film set in Paris, but don’t work as stand-alone travel videos. I’m sure some people will completely disagree with me, but I hope that my viewpoint will be courteously considered.

I think I liked both of the edits, they both had different things that I liked and things that I didn't like. The one thing that I thought your video on YouTube should have had was an edit of the footage by you. After all, you know the energy in the clips that you took. I think that makes a difference. The person taking the video knows the energy of the area, they know what they want to portray. They know what they want to focus on. Someone on the outside doesn't, to them, they're just clips.

Could you please do your own edit of the Paris footage so we can see yours against the fiverr guys please? I preferred the second one. Thank you for all your advice you share with us.

More importantly than which video I thought was better is how much enjoyed your refreshing presentation. You didn’t waste a frame here, it was compelling up to the end so kudos for that. I think I preferred the second one. I am more drawn to the dramatic and it felt a little more cinematic to me. My only issue is that it seemed to lack a definite ending…just seemed like someone hit the stop button before the edit was over. Anyway, great video, subscribed.

I think that the editing of this you tube video was the BEST! Stayed to the end and that’s what makes it the best.

This video was so cool.. really watched the 2nd half with a big smile on my face great concept and interesting to watch.. For me Rory’s was the better edit and video to watch you do often get what you pay for and this is a prime example of

First off, I love all the content of your videos and adopted you as my go to teacher. I preferred the first edit by far.

I prefer the first one, more information was provided about the place. The second one seemed sad to me. I would like to see how you edit these clips. Seeing Paris from your eyes. I also filmed some clips of my trip to Paris with my phone... Thank you for the tips on your past videos they were very helpful... It was my first time in Paris. The amount of information, making constant decisions of what to shoot or not to shoot was very interesting. Another nice place to see the city with the Effiel tower it's from the Pantheon. Thank you again for your excellent work.

I liked the build up too the Eiffel tower in the second video The use off music, sounds effects and the right clips leading to a big reveal at the end tells a story without words 👍

I was in Paris with my father over 30 years ago; I imagine a lot has changed during this time. I was amazed at how condense the city was from the top down view.

I have been shooting mostly stock video clips. I have never thought to do a 60 second short video. For me the most amazing thing about what you did was coming up with 60 seconds of meaningful music for the background. Both were well done.

Outstanding!! This is great Steve!

I guess both of them did a decent job. Every artist has his own style. I am not sure if you have specified overall vibe i.e. slow/fast ( your videos were a mix bag slow-motion, timelapse, car,trains etc.). I am worried about when AI editors will take over. For now , thank you for sharing a great video and beautiful glimpses of Paris! 😊