Question

Thanks Chris! These videos have been out for over a month so the decision's already been made, but I'll take this on for future reference. :)

Ian Danskin

They are both the same as far as my personal consumption goes, but smaller videos are more sharable.

Chris Taylor

I like long videos, but do what you gotta do

Zac Frazier

I vote for smaller videos because they are each a single idea and that makes them easy to share. If you go this route make sure that the viewer knows that they are part of a series and link to the next video in the playlist at the end of every video. You could also add a small video at the beginning and end of the playlist for overview and summation.

Quirk

I voted for one long one, but like many others here, I don't feel all that strongly one way or another. I have the desire for longer content because I use the videos as background viewing while my hands are otherwise occupied.

Kurt Temple

I like to watch long videos from bed where I don't have access to my keyboard. I'd honestly like both things though, release the videos as episodes and at the end upload a compilation video with all of them in.

Bikzimus Maximus

It's nothing to do with optimization or greater income, just what the best way to watch it is. When I see a video that is more than 20 minutes, I generally won't watch it unless I'm really invested in the subject or the creator. And, even then, there are video essayists I quite like whose hourlong work I've still never watched. I try to make videos that I'd want to see, so when I think of releasing a video so long that I, myself, might pass on it if I saw it in my recommendations, I get antsy. At the same time, I admit this is mostly about gut feelings and not entirely rational.

Ian Danskin

I generally agree with this in the sense that the writing of the video packets should, in the end, have a narrative logic--some kind of structure. Serialized work is different from unit work, after all.

Sata Prescott

I have a pretty strong opinion *for* 8 smaller videos. I feel like each part did a wonderful job of encapsulating a single idea, and there are individual "episodes" that I'd love to share with friends without asking that they watch the entire thing sequentially. If it's one long video, it's hard to reference the individual ideas later, which is something I'll probably want to do. TL;DR smaller videos = more shareable, better for me, my friends and the channel

Why not both? Having the individual pieces as well as them all in a whole would be ideal. People can choose which they want.

Ryan Aston

Hey Ian - if you do release this as a single video, please include clickable timestamps in the description for the section breaks. I've found that to be a very helpful compromise for longer videos (and personally, longer videos with timestamped section breaks is my preference) that gets a lot of the benefits of playlists (easier to commit to smaller chunks at a time, as a viewer you know when it's a good time to take a break, and it's easier to find a specific part you're looking for if you come back later) while still keeping the videos together in a cohesive whole. Other than that, I honestly think you can't really go wrong here. For all its foibles, YouTube does do a good job with connected playlists and user experience will be pretty good regardless.

Doctor Professor

Hi folks, sorry in advance for such a long comment! I've got a lot of thoughts on this (although spoiler alert, I lean towards one big ol longo). Would it be possible for you to make it a 3-parter? Like the people above were saying, all of us are here because we love your content, but even with that being the case, a 1 hour+ video is a hard commit. 8 videos seems like a much less daunting task, but with a series that long, you run the risk of viewers watching you deconstruct their favorite 3 or 4 female movie tropes then losing interest in the rest. But maybe you're fine with that as long as they get the most out of the parts they want to watch eh? I think the deconstruction of fury road is the leading thread that would incentivize viewers to watch the whole series for (beyond watching the characters tropes that interest them most). So that being the case, after 4 or 5 videos, I know I was starting to feel jumbled and lost about the fury road things that you'd taught us so far, and frustrated that the accumulation of 5 videos worth of fury road info wouldn't stay neatly in my brain for me to reflect on as I watched the last few videos and tried to tie them together. The 8-part series format would also be a bit more difficult to describe cohesively to friends who we might attempt to convince to watch the videos (Usually when you release a new video, I watch it alone then send it to a couple friends and watch it again together and spend an afternoon discussing it. It's like a monthly little holiday). A 3-parter on the other hand wouldn't be as difficult a commit as a single long video, and it wouldn't be as taxing to try to mentally tie them all together because every viewer would have an easier time managing whatever their big takeaway was from each of three parts, and they'd have an easier time reconciling that takeaway with whatever they learn in the next big part. It'd definitely be easier to share and describe cohesively to friends as well. You can probably tell by this point but I think the videos tell a more significant story grouped up than they do divided. I know 3-parter isn't part of the poll, but it might be an idea worth considering. Between the options of 8 videos and 1 long video, I'd vote for one big ol longo, because I think that'll leave a more lasting impact and less of a jumbled series of scrambled memories. I like the idea of it being watched by people who have committed to hear the whole thing, or the vid being critically reviewed by discussion groups (from a group of 2 or 3 to an entire classroom) who'd watch it like a movie and seek to deepen or broaden their understanding of women in media. I think it leaves a bigger impact that way. Not to mention, people on YouTube have already deconstructed individual women's tropes in media and related it to their favorite characters many times over. I don't think its too much to ask of people to think of those tropes holistically. It'd be a much more, smoother, silkier, creamier watch as one single video. I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of this!

Honestly why not both? Release it both ways and let the viewer decide the format

etc etc

I voted playlist (even if they are released all at once.) Idea Channel released their YouTube Poop episode as a playlist; so they could cut back and forward between Mike's commentary, and the original Poops.

Avid Stan

As long as when each video ends it does so without long end cards and patron lists, I think multiple parts would be ideal. It's easier for new people to get into it, and it's less daunting for anyone who may balk at a hour+ long video runtime. I think putting them all into one would be a mistake, though of course I'll watch it in whatever format you choose. Oh, also you'll get more total views from multiple videos, which will only do good things for your channel. And if you do a long one and lots of people jump off, your analytics for % watched won't be very good. I think these are all worthwhile things to consider, too.

Occam's Blazer

I'm all about you doing what feels right for you to share your message, but to echo some of the things above, the smaller videos do make it easier when sharing as not as many folks are as willing to sit and watch a 20 minute video as they are to watch a collection of five minute ones over a period of time. That being said, I love your work so much I don't care how long or short it is. It's always a pleasure to watch and something I prioritise my time around.

Kait Hatch

I'd personally prefer one big ol longo, in part because it helps convey that you are trying something new. However, if you decide not to go with one-and-done, I'd argue against the playlist idea, or more to the point, against a single big-bang release date. If you are going to keep the vids separate and short(ish), why not take advantage of the fact that you have a backlog? You could do what optimization says you should do and release the 8 on a regular schedule, like 1 a week. Admittedly, I'm basing this on an assumption as to why you are undecided about the best way to release this work -- maybe you can help us understand that better?

PC Escobar

I prefer longer videos because I do handwork while watching. Having to click and find the next one is a pain. But a playlist would be fine!

Sata Prescott

Yeah, it seems like the majority of people are ok with eight parts, but the strongest feelings are for it being one part. Oi.

Ian Danskin

Looks like we arent much help since we are so split! I always prefer shorter videos because I rarely have much time at once so it is just easier for my lifestyle. But I'll watch your work regardless!

Jimi

I'd watch 16 vids myself, but you've proved me your worth time in n' out

Do you want folks to see the whole thing? I've only snatched glances of one or two of the split vids myself; D'you think folks who dunno your work'll _choose_ to watch _8_ maybe-linked thinkpieces?

I voted for 8 part is fine, even if i personally prefer the long version, i think it could be off putting for most people

Pierfrancesco Crivellari

I came here to say "I like 'em BIG!" like Julie Brown, but then I remembered that I put off watching for a while just because I wasn't sure I could sit down to a proper session (kids running around, etc.) Of course, the wee little bite-sized videos went down easy! And yet. I agree with the folks who point out that as they are, they end in a jarring fashion and work better flowing from one to another.

Allan Anderson

I personally prefer smaller videos because a longer one can feel like such a big time investment, but like, in the end either's fine

TalysAlankil

Don't make long videos if you want Sargon to watch it at some point

Bogdan Stankov

I mean, if you turn on a video that's 3 hours long and put it in the background it's not much different from if you had a playlist of several smaller videos totaling the same amount of time other than that in parts you can keep track of what is said when more easily so isn't segmented strictly better?

MsCarly

What I really liked about multiple videos to a topic (e.g. Angry Jack) is that they make it easier to summarize and remember as I have a title for each piece. And when I remember that one video is relevant for a discussion or situation in life it is easier to re-watch an share what I want.

Adam Schmalhofer

Having grown accustomed to Joseph Anderson's 3-hour-long YouTube videos, I now enjoy long videos, since they let you really take advantage of a big, coherent structure. However, I also feel like the way you did Story Beats worked really well together? So while I'd still prefer the video as one whole piece, I would be ok with just watching the whole playlist at once. It might also make it easier to link to a specific part of the video to my friends :-)

Valentyn

Providing time stamps to individual parts for easy reference in a pinned comment would help too…

Pavol Vaskovic

Having watched it in one go from a self constructed playlist I have a strong preference for releasing this as one video. Some parts end on a cliffhanger which needs to be resolved and cutting it to pieces is ruining the flow of the main message.

Pavol Vaskovic

I prefer one video. It's fine if you release it in 8 parts, I'll just wait for the whole thing :)

I disagree with the short summery. They ruin the flow and say in a way that the split was just a hack for something that should have been one piece. Most people won't be watching the pieces far apart (<< 1 week) and the videos are short (<<45min).

Adam Schmalhofer

As mundane as it sounds, an argument for me would be that individual videos would increase ad revenue for you. Do it.

Nikki

Context is necessary. If you're gonna do a playlist of short vids, it would be useful to have each video start with a short sum up relating the trope discussed to the main topic?

KafkaLovesYou

8 parts is fine and good but if given the choice of probably prefer one video. I tend to use YouTube as more of a background thing whilst gaming, so I prefer longer form content. But I'll watch it either way

Alex Bryson

I don't have ads, so I get the same payment through Patreon either way. So I'm really just thinking about ideal viewing conditions. Technically 8 videos gets me more "views" because one person watching the whole series counts as 8 views. I don't know which The Algorithm likes more.

Ian Danskin

I can do that when I get an edit finished, yeah.

Ian Danskin

That's what I did with Angry Jack, and it went over well then.

Ian Danskin

We're looking at around an hour.

Ian Danskin

I honestly believe that multiple parts, released maybe twice a week, would be the best way to release these. I generally prefer to watch YouTube content in bite-sized chunks, and I think it suits the platform better. I think it would also result in better traffic flow for you channel - which I think we can all agree is a good thing.

Alex Brueckner

I've avoided watching the videos as you've released them piecemeal because I actually prefer to watch longer projects like this all at once, for whatever that's worth.

Blake M Allen

Quality content is quality content. We'll watch and share. What nets you the most views and monetization?

ari a

Would it be possible to release a one-video rough cut for us to look at as comparison? It worked as a series for me, but I haven't seen how it'd work as a single video yet.

The Packbats

I feel like the ends to each part were really jarringly abrupt and I watch long videos all the time, also playlists tend to be funky on youtube so I'm not really a fan.

AV

It’s much of a muchness really. Things to consider though: one video makes it easier to share with other people, the algorithm seems to like longer content these days, and a flood of stuff at once could easily be overlooked. An alternative to a big longo could be to spread them out a tiny bit. Upload one per day for a week?

Jamie Moffatt

If you can split in 8 parts and it makes sense, then please do. Its likely more algorithm-friendly.

Snapping Snapper

This is very thoughtful, but I'm just glad to see more of your stuff, whatever the format!

Do whatever works best for you. E.g. if this affects your monetization, do what you need to do. Once they're all out, people can watch them almost the same as if it were one big one.

Splitting it in 8 would allow people to think of each trope individually rather than all at once, and let them split up the viewing sessions if need be. Adds and intro time is usually what eats up space, but since you have neither I see no reason not to.

Nathan Klassen

I personally like long form content more, but I am voting for the 8 parts. I understand that with how stuff on youtube works, it might be more beneficial to release multiple shorter videos than one long one. Regardless of what you do I am really excited to see the final product. After I got one minute into the intro, I paused and finally watched Fury Road and I am so thankful I did.

How long would the video / playlist be?

Ken Gagne