Length of Video Reviews

Contributor: Porfiriato Porfiriato
I love the new video review feature, some are very fun and informative, and it's a great way to display features of a toy that are better seen visually. However, I was wondering about what you think a good length for a video review should be. I've found that longer is not necessarily better, some get a bit repetitive and could have been cut down. How long will you watch a video review before losing interest?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
ToyTimeTim , B8trDude , BBW Talks Toys , Kayla , namelesschaos , Kindred , Crys , ToyGeek , Selective Sensualist , Rockin' , El-Jaro , Taylor , null , rdytogo , Nicky , Tori Rebel , ♥ Amanda ♥ , Jessica Elizabeth , buzzvibe , cherryredhead88 , V.T.T , Love Buzz , mama2007 , eggiweg , Enchantedkitty , Alys , beemonkey , Booktease , Love Perpetua , Owl Identified , Mike Honcho , Sera26
32  (50%)
Porfiriato , removedacnt , DeliciousSurprise , Waterfall , Lady Venus , ~LaUr3n~ , Darling Jen , Rainbow Boy , Dusk , Lummox , potstickers , Crystal1 , PassionQT , Emma (Girl With Fire) , Jimbo Jones , married with children , Jobthingy , leatherlover , Airekah , Redboxbaby , Carrie Ann , P'Gell , Ladyblu , joja , Shellz31 , MyWifeExposed , hornypoet69 , Devz , NuclearTeapot , sausagelover , Stinkytofu10
31  (48%)
Ms. Spice
1  (2%)
Total votes: 64
Poll is open
12/17/2010
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Contributor: Porfiriato Porfiriato
One of the best parts about reading the extended review form is being able to jump directly to what you care about most, while in a video review it's hard to know what they will talk about next. I really appreciate the reviewers who do text and video reviews, so users can decide how they would like to experience the review.
12/17/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Depends on the toy, if it has a lot of functions it needs to be longer. For a dildo there is only so much you can talk about. I "Try" to keep mine around two minuets, does not always happen though.

I have watched a few that are really long but they are usually comparison reviews so that is to be expected.

Carrie Ann always says that the video is not meant to be a "review" but rather should just highlight the product.
12/17/2010
Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
It depends on the toy; dildos should be shorter, kits should be longer, vibrators with a zillion functions or cool features should take longer, toy accessories/position aids should be shorter.

I think that 3-4 minutes is somewhere in the middle of all of these.
12/17/2010
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
IF they are longer than 3-5 minutes, I'll lose interest if they're just talking about the toy and it matches their review. The only review that has been "just a review" of a toy that was longer than that that I enjoyed a lot was Kristi's review of the Harmonia BECAUSE I ordered it and I really wanted to hear a lot about it. To be fair, though, I didn't read her review because I had already read so many others. She did a great, full review of the toy, however.

I'm try and be at least a little funny or creative at some point in the video because they can get a little boring. Whether it's like Kindred and giving a funny "alternative" use to a toy... or finding some kind of joke I can make, I try to, because the general "So this is the 'blablabla vibrator by soandso and it's got 197 functions and I'm going to take you through each. and. every. one. even though I typed it all out blablabla" is really boring. Especially if you read the review... but especially when it's Carrie Ann, Jesibel, Dwtim, and Kindred... I read the review AND watch the video because their videos are usually quite different from the text. Hell, I'll watch their reviews for 10 minutes if they made them that long!
12/17/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
It really depends on the amount of features and the product. Some require more length than others.
12/17/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Depends on the toy, if it has a lot of functions it needs to be longer. For a dildo there is only so much you can talk about. I "Try" to keep mine around two minuets, does not always happen though.

I have watched a few that are ... more
Ditto!

I mostly like videos to experience the item before deciding if I want to purchase it or not. The relative size of the toy, the way to insert the batteries/charge it, noise level, and other things that are hard to merely describe in text alone.

In fact, it was Carrie Ann's video of the Delight that led me to buying it months ago as one of my first review!
12/17/2010
Contributor: Porfiriato Porfiriato
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
It really depends on the amount of features and the product. Some require more length than others.
I agree, but unless I'm really interested in a toy, I won't make it past 3-4 minutes.
12/18/2010
Contributor: PassionQT PassionQT
4 minutes max is good for a detailed review. I try to keep my adult ones under 2mn.
12/18/2010
Contributor: Porfiriato Porfiriato
Thanks for the responses, it looks like 3-4 minutes is about the max most people will sit through. I'll keep this in mind if I decide to go the video route
12/18/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
It depends on the reviewer for me. Some video reviews spend the first minute and a half talking just about the packaging, then then I'm done with that video. Other spend awhile comparing or discussing toys that I actually enjoy sitting through even longer videos to listen to. I'd say that, on average, my attention span is 3/4 minute depending on who is talking or what is being talked about.
12/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
It depends on the item. With some, 3 minutes is more than plenty. There's only so long I can watch a headless body wave around a pretty dildo. If it doesn't have features or functions to explain, I think it's best to keep it short. But my opinion is influenced by having to use headphones to watch videos, which is why I often just don't.
12/19/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
I try to make them as short as is practical. I don't want to cut out important details, and I don't want to be rushing through things so fast you can't stop and think about them a bit. I try to keep it to 4 minutes and under for single toys, but my last one was about 20 minutes. I tried to cut stuff out, but it got to the point where I wasn't saying everything that needed to be said (it was the Feeldoe More/Nexus Maximus/Share/Sysil:Ed ge comparison review).
12/19/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
For any/all videos, I pay attention pretty easily for two minutes or so. After that, if the reviewer is interesting/entertaini ng/helpful I'll likely be fine watching the rest of it or at least a few more minutes of video. If the review seems bland, if the lighting isn't great, or if the camera is shaking / up too close to the toy, I'll usually move on to another review.
12/19/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
A video review should be as long as it needs to be. Unless you're doing what ScottA did (20 min comparative review with like 5 toys), 5 mins should be the upper limit.

Since you're already written the review for the product, use that as a starting point for your video script. You're doing scripts, right? Rough outline at least?

If there's anything I can take from my bs (B.A. really) degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts it's that a few minutes of scripting can save a LOT of time in front of a camera.
12/19/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
A video review should be as long as it needs to be. Unless you're doing what ScottA did (20 min comparative review with like 5 toys), 5 mins should be the upper limit.

Since you're already written the review for the product, use that ... more
Scripts? hmmm... might have to try that.
12/19/2010
Contributor: Airekah Airekah
This really depends on what you are reviewing and how intricate it is but unless you are comparing multiple toys, I do not like a video to last more than 4 minutes or I start to stop listening and ignore what the person is saying.
12/19/2010
Contributor: rdytogo rdytogo
I have a short attention span so anything longer than 3 minutes is usually too long for me.
12/19/2010
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
A video review should be as long as it needs to be. Unless you're doing what ScottA did (20 min comparative review with like 5 toys), 5 mins should be the upper limit.

Since you're already written the review for the product, use that ... more
I write my entire script for my videos, otherwise I would never remember everything that I want to say.
12/21/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
A video review should be as long as it needs to be. Unless you're doing what ScottA did (20 min comparative review with like 5 toys), 5 mins should be the upper limit.

Since you're already written the review for the product, use that ... more
I agree, having a loose script or outline is essential. It saves you from going, "Uh.....Ummmm, I wanted to show you.....um......." I always have something written down, the points I want to highlight on the video, and I refer to that. Sometimes, I still forget things, and that's why I use a Movie Maker where you can put titles on the review while it's playing.

My first few videos were TOO long. I thought I had to say everything. I'm learning to only hit the salient points that seeing will bring the viewer over reading. I have realized I don't have to repeat the written review, but I often refer people to my written review.

A few things cause me to turn a vid off; when someone says, "And, the toy does this." and then doesn't SHOW us. What do they tell people in film school? "Don't tell me, show me."

I want to see the toy in action (NOT on a person's genitals, obviously, but SHOW me the buttons, the functions, how much power it has.) I want to see if it bends or if it is squishy. Things you can't relay in a written review.

Showing things that don't translate well to writing is really the best place to start, I think. Also, if it's a power toy, I want to hear it. I don't care for noisy toys, so please turn the toy ON! (I've actually seen a couple of reviews were the reviewer told us that the toy was either really soft or really loud, or had an interesting function and never turned the toy on. I want to hear and see things I can't from your written review! I also want to hear the presenter, if he or she is using their voice. I get frustrated if someone is speaking so softly the mic isn't picking it up, or the mic is not working and there is too much ambient noise, I usually have close those, because I get frustrated. "What? What did she say?"

Keep up the good work, guys. Most of the video reviews are great!
12/21/2010
Contributor: ♥ Amanda ♥ ♥ Amanda ♥
Unless the reviewer is doing something really interesting... I am bored after the 3 minute mark. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
12/22/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Scripts? hmmm... might have to try that.
A must, at least to the detailed outline stage. Otherwise you're spending hours doing retakes and splicing.
12/22/2010
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Aside from the scripting and the lighting and the sound and the length, I hate reviews done in the bathroom. Even if your bathroom is clean and I can't see your counter or toilet, there's a definite echoing sound when you're in the bathroom. To me, the bathroom is the least sexy place.

Unless you're showing me how submersible the toy is, or it's an "adult" review and you're actually IN the shower with the toy/cream/soap
12/22/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
Aside from the scripting and the lighting and the sound and the length, I hate reviews done in the bathroom. Even if your bathroom is clean and I can't see your counter or toilet, there's a definite echoing sound when you're in the ... more
LOL! I did a review in the bathroom. It was for a Toy Cleaner. I needed running water and I thought the bathroom was the best thing to showcase the whole "Clean your toys!" feel of the video.

Also, some younger people who live with parents may only get privacy when they are in the bathroom. But, yes, some of them are really echo-ey.

I want to hear what people are saying and what they toy is doing. That's one of the reasons I watch videos. Otherwise, I would only read reviews. If the video is echo filled, it's hard to watch.

Also, I also feel, especially if you don't show your face your VOICE needs to show your enthusiasm, even if you aren't crazy about the toy. I have a tendency to mumble in real life (so I am told, but I think My Man and my mother need hearing aids....and my 11 year old, too) but I speak up when taping a video, and watch the video on my computer to make sure you can hear me before I upload it. I've done a lot of public speaking and teaching, and I did acting as a child, so I had to learn how to project. You just have to realize what you are doing and speak UP!!!!

I also notice, when I say something......um....r eally personal about a toy, my voice tends to drop and becomes more quiet. I must be thinking of the use of it.
12/22/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
LOL! I did a review in the bathroom. It was for a Toy Cleaner. I needed running water and I thought the bathroom was the best thing to showcase the whole "Clean your toys!" feel of the video.

Also, some younger people who live with ... more
Note that if you don't show your face there's no reason why the audio for that particular section needs to be recorded in the bathroom. You can go ahead and do your bathroom scene and then record the sound for it somewhere a bit less echo-y.
12/23/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
Note that if you don't show your face there's no reason why the audio for that particular section needs to be recorded in the bathroom. You can go ahead and do your bathroom scene and then record the sound for it somewhere a bit less echo-y.
I could have. I don't have a mic, except on my camera and I'm not really technical. I know how to remove the sound (like the Eden intro, so I can play my own music) but, I haven't really figured out how to add voice over a video. The video has pretty good sound, if I have to admit it.

I've done them with titles on the video, and no voice, only music. But, I am learning how to do stuff like this. I am learning as I go. I didn't even know my camera (Sony Cyber shot) could do this. And I only learned from my younger children that I could make videos on my computer.

12/24/2010
Contributor: mama2007 mama2007
Quote:
Originally posted by Porfiriato
One of the best parts about reading the extended review form is being able to jump directly to what you care about most, while in a video review it's hard to know what they will talk about next. I really appreciate the reviewers who do text and ... more
2 - 3 min is most mine are
03/03/2011
Contributor: mama2007 mama2007
Quote:
Originally posted by Porfiriato
I love the new video review feature, some are very fun and informative, and it's a great way to display features of a toy that are better seen visually. However, I was wondering about what you think a good length for a video review should be. ... more
i try to keep mine between 2 1/2 - 3 minutes in length
03/18/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
i can watch a video for up to five minutes. i find more than that, it can be annoying and repetitive
08/01/2011