Hello @michaeltunnell. Would you mind if we worked on this jointly? I have some experience working with Kdenlive, Natron and Blender for video-editing and would like to attempt some ideas to jazz up our videos a bit.

I am certainly open to collaborating on this. 5.11 used assets from previous videos due to being my first contribution to the KDE Promo group so I am absolutely open to suggestions and to ways for improvement. What do you have in mind?

What about making videos a bit "bouncier"? To give you an idea, I made this one for a magazine I edited back in the day:

https://youtu.be/nImU7NlxrMA

If the aim is to use the video not only to speak to our community, but also to make Plasma look attractive to new users, it may be worth the effort of making something more fun to watch. That is my reasoning, anyway.

Although I recognise the style would have to be different, probably much more slow-pace, we could probably come up with a way of presenting the new stuff in more fun way than with past videos. I don't know, just be selecting the font for the titles a bit more carefully would be a start.

Where are all the assets held?

What about making videos a bit "bouncier"?

I don't know about that because there was a lot of complaints with the little amount of bounce it already had.

If the aim is to use the video not only to speak to our community, but also to make Plasma look attractive to new users

That is not the aim of the video. The video's purpose is to inform people about what is new in 5.12 and do so in an exciting way. It is targeted to people who already know what Plasma is and want to know what is new in the latest release.

I think your suggestions are better suited to a general KDE Plasma video rather than the 5.12 video.

Where are all the assets held?

locally on my computer

I don't know about that because there was a lot of complaints with the little amount of bounce it already had.

Were there? Can you point me to the complaints? Are they on a mailing list?

That is not the aim of the video. The video's purpose is to inform people about what is new in 5.12 and do so in an exciting way.

What ideas have you had to make the video exciting?

It is targeted to people who already know what Plasma is and want to know what is new in the latest release.

I don't know... I think you can create videos that can be attractive to also the non-initiated and wider audience without losing, or even diluting, the core purpose of each video -- in this case informing about 5.12, wouldn't you agree? Maybe we can discuss this live on Telegram if you want, see what we come up with.

Where are all the assets held?>

locally on my computer

Would you like to share the assets on share.kde.org so more people could help with this? We can make sure attribution is made out to you, if that is an issue. By experience I know that editing a video is very work intensive. Maybe working together with other people, we can make it less of a chore. We have a special space called "Promo Team Resources" from where we share stuff like the texts we put on the dot, Scribus files for brochures, designs we make, etc. (we tend to share all the assets). Would you like to have access? I am not sure how much space we have (and video assets can be HUGE) but if we do run into problems, we can probably request more space.

Besides, if more people can access the clips, they could be recycled into other video projects in the future. What do you think?

By the way, you are Michael Tunnel of the YouTube channel "TuxDigital" fame, right?

Were there? Can you point me to the complaints? Are they on a mailing list?

They are in the YouTube video comments and scattered around elsewhere like in subreddit comments.

What ideas have you had to make the video exciting?

It depends on what all is new in 5.12, I think the update itself should be the focus and all of the appeal should be tailored to that focus.

I think you can create videos that can be attractive to also the non-initiated and wider audience without losing, or even diluting, the core purpose of each video

You'd have to make an introduction to KDE and Plasma for each Plasma video which would create a lot of redundancy and making the stuff that is new always be at the end of the video. I don't think that is necessary and instead use a separate video to introduce KDE and/or Plasma to new users that focus is solely to introduce Plasma to them. In my opinion, that is the most efficient and productive way to introduce it to new people.

Would you like to share the assets on share.kde.org so more people could help with this?

There are not that many assets, especially with some of them being replaced with a new approach. I am redesigning some of the assets for this new video and those are not finished to share. The rest are screen captures of features that can't be made until those features are ready for release.

I don't have an issue with sharing the assets but other than music and maybe the video background used for the text areas, there isn't much to share.

By the way, you are Michael Tunnel of the YouTube channel "TuxDigital" fame, right?

I wouldn't call it fame but yes, I am Michael of TuxDigital. :)

Are you located in the US? We are organising a Promo sprint in Barcelona in February... Do you think you could come? I would like to discuss the video strategy live with you.

They are in the YouTube video comments and scattered around elsewhere like in subreddit comments.

Right. I thought you meant in the mailing lists or something. I have long since concluded YouTube comments are poison and avoid reading them so as not to entirely lose faith in humanity. I'll have to make an exception for ours, I guess.

What ideas have you had to make the video exciting?

It depends on what all is new in 5.12, I think the update itself should be the focus and all of the appeal should be tailored to that focus.

I am bit out of it, being tied up with other stuff... Is there a list of upcoming features and improvements somewhere?

You'd have to make an introduction to KDE and Plasma for each Plasma video which would create a lot of redundancy and making the stuff that is new always be at the end of the video.

Not necessarily. What about this?

• We make 5.12 the video as cool-looking as possible, for example using nicer fonts and a snappier edit.
• Apply the 3 rules of the Promo Club (no -- or minimal -- technical jargon, no acronyms, no buzzwords) in the commentary.
• Then make the intro video you mention at some point.
• Then we can, retroactively if necessary, use YouTube's annotation feature and *unobtrusively* point viewers to the intro video you mention with something like: "Like what you see? Find out how you too can enjoy the Plasma Desktop." (or something to that effect).

I don't have an issue with sharing the assets but other than music and maybe the video background used for the text areas

What about the source video-editing files themselves? What are you using, Kdenlive?

there isn't much to share.

Sure, but these things build up and, to be blunt, when people move on it becomes a pain to try and reproduce the look and feel of a video series if you don't have the assets. At the very least you have to go for a hunt for image, video and audio files. So I'm going to formally request you share them so we can start building up a library for further down the road. We should also make it a policy to share all assets always.

By the way, you are Michael Tunnel of the YouTube channel "TuxDigital" fame, right?

I wouldn't call it fame but yes, I am Michael of TuxDigital. :)

FWIW I have often watched your videos for pleasure and enlightenment and have recommended them around. So there's that.

Are you located in the US? We are organising a Promo sprint in Barcelona in February... Do you think you could come?

I am located in the US. A trip to Catalonia is not something I can do.

I have long since concluded YouTube comments are poison and avoid reading them so as not to entirely lose faith in humanity. I'll have to make an exception for ours, I guess.

In most cases like on the most popular channels, this is fairly accurate.

Is there a list of upcoming features and improvements somewhere?

Yes. The link I provided in the first message contains that list however it is not a completed list yet.

We make 5.12 the video as cool-looking as possible, for example using nicer fonts and a snappier edit.

It depends. There are some things that could be done but visual demonstrations are limited to how it is presented. Linux Scoop does make some nice what's new videos so that could be an approach to take.

Apply the 3 rules of the Promo Club (no -- or minimal -- technical jargon, no acronyms, no buzzwords) in the commentary.

This is not really practical because most of the content of a Plasma version release is technical content to demonstrate. It can be minimized as much as possible but there will probably be a significant amount still.

Then we can, retroactively if necessary, use YouTube's annotation feature

Annotations do not exist anymore. Annotations were ended in March of this year. Videos that have Annotations will still display them but Annotations are impossible to add since March.

What about the source video-editing files themselves? What are you using, Kdenlive?

This could be done but there isnt anything for the new version yet because I haven't screen-capped anything yet. I do use Kdenlive though.

Sure, but these things build up and, to be blunt, when people move on it becomes a pain to try and reproduce the look and feel of a video series if you don't have the assets. At the very least you have to go for a hunt for image, video and audio files. So I'm going to formally request you share them so we can start building up a library for further down the road. We should also make it a policy to share all assets always.

I agree but there are not many things to share. I can share the stuff I already mentioned but at the moment there isn't much else to share. I am not opposed to share it of course.

FWIW I have often watched your videos for pleasure and enlightenment and have recommended them around. So there's that.

I appreciate that a ton! I am glad you liked them.

I am still getting used to people knowing who I am. :)

Are you located in the US? We are organising a Promo sprint in Barcelona in February... Do you think you could come?

I am located in the US. A trip to Catalonia is not something I can do.

Pity. We will probably be talking about videos during the sprint, as it is a vital part of promo. Maybe we can set up video-conference with you during the event. Would you like to do that? It would be a bit pointless not to have the main video creator not in on the action.

Is there a list of upcoming features and improvements somewhere?

Yes. The link I provided in the first message contains that list however it is not a completed list yet.

Ok. I'll check it out.

We make 5.12 the video as cool-looking as possible, for example using nicer fonts and a snappier edit.

It depends. There are some things that could be done but visual demonstrations are limited to how it is presented. Linux Scoop does make some nice what's new videos so that could be an approach to take.

Good idea. I'll check out their channel and we can discuss what we can... er... borrow.

Apply the 3 rules of the Promo Club (no -- or minimal -- technical jargon, no acronyms, no buzzwords) in the commentary.

This is not really practical because most of the content of a Plasma version release is technical content to demonstrate. It can be minimized as much as possible but there will probably be a significant amount still.

Fair enough. This kind of confirms that we should work on a one or several official introductory videos. One of the tasks of the promo team is to try and popularise KDE technologies among those that know little or nothing about them and thus expand our userbase and community. Videos would help with that.

Annotations do not exist anymore. Annotations were ended in March of this year. Videos that have Annotations will still display them but Annotations are impossible to add since March.

I did not know this. Can you still embed links within the viewing area of the video? If so, we could use that with a PiP at a non-critical moment or something.

What about the source video-editing files themselves? What are you using, Kdenlive?

This could be done but there isn't anything for the new version yet because I haven't screen-capped anything yet. I do use Kdenlive though.

Right. As you create it, you can share it.

We should probably set up a shared folder on share.kde.org that we can use locally or, if you prefer, a git repository, or something we can use to collaborate on. Like that, you don't have to think about it: or the NextCloud plugin for Dolphin will do it's thing in the background, or you just push the changes you make after each session and be done with it.

By the way, apart from being here to be a pain in the neck with my "suggestions", I am also here to help ease the load. We (as in the promo team) would want to produce more videos and more frequently. So, if there is anything you want to push off to me or any of the others to make your burden lighter, please do so.

I am personally proficient using Kdenlive, I have a working knowledge of Blender (including its video-editing capabilities), have dabbled with Natron and I am kind of proud of my knowledge of FFmpeg (useful for automating applying effects to clips).

One thing we should look into is doing subtitles, now I think of it...

FWIW I have often watched your videos for pleasure and enlightenment and have recommended them around. So there's that.

I appreciate that a ton! I am glad you liked them.
I am still getting used to people knowing who I am. :)

For the record I knew about your channel, but not about Linux Scoop. I did follow the Linux Action Show and a few others, but in my books, yours is one of the more consistent Linux channels out there.

Maybe we can set up video-conference with you during the event. Would you like to do that? It would be a bit pointless not to have the main video creator not in on the action.

That sounds quite doable. :)

Good idea. I'll check out their channel and we can discuss what we can... er... borrow.

The wonders of open source :)

This kind of confirms that we should work on a one or several official introductory videos.

Thats what I would recommend to do.

I did not know this. Can you still embed links within the viewing area of the video?

Not at all. That is what the Annotations were for mostly but that function is totally gone. There is a card system now that shows a temporary corner message for about 10 seconds but it is very different and limited into what all it can display. It is meant to not be intrusive.

We should probably set up a shared folder on share.kde.org that we can use locally or, if you prefer, a git repository, or something we can use to collaborate on . . . apart from being here to be a pain in the neck with my "suggestions", I am also here to help ease the load.

I appreciate that but it is hard for me to delegate tasks on an incomplete concept. I am not sure what all I want to do with it so it is hard for me to get others to help at the moment. Once the list of stuff coming in 5.12 is more full then I can start finalizing the concept and possibly request assistance on some of it.

One thing we should look into is doing subtitles

Absolutely, this is a very important piece in terms of YouTube marketing but it requires a lot of time after the making of a video so most creators dont put effort into doing it. I do it occasionally but not as much as I should.

For the record I knew about your channel, but not about Linux Scoop. I did follow the Linux Action Show and a few others, but in my books, yours is one of the more consistent Linux channels out there.

Thank you very much, I appreciate it!

Linux Scoop makes pretty much exclusively promo videos but they never talk in them and imo this pulls a lot away from their work. Overall though their editing is nice with some fancy transitions and such.

by the way, I was also Producer Michael aka RottN from the Linux Action Show. (I produced it for 4, almost 5, years)

Note I've delayed the Plasma release by a week, new schedule
https://community.kde.org/Schedules/Plasma_5
https://mail.kde.org/pipermail/plasma-devel/2018-January/078433.html

It would be good when prepping promo for a project to make sure that project and relevant people are tagged

FWIW, the Plasma team thinks that 5.12 promo, aside from the usual feature run-down, should message strongly about improvements in login speed, memory usage and general performance. There was quite some effort on those fronts during this cycle, including a dev sprint targeted at low-end device performance with many Plasma hackers in attendance. A focus on this would also jibe nicely with the LTS nature of the release. It would be great to compare 5.12 to the previous LTS in this regard (5.8.x), e.g. with benchmarks/graphs: The progress should be rather dramatic.

Note I've delayed the Plasma release by a week, new schedule

Ta.

It would be good when prepping promo for a project to make sure that project and relevant people are tagged

Yes, you're right.

improvements in login speed, memory usage and general performance.

Good points to mention, yes.

A focus on this would also jibe nicely with the LTS nature of the release. It would be great to compare 5.12 to the previous LTS in this regard (5.8.x), e.g. with benchmarks/graphs

This may be more appropriate in a dot article. Can you provide the data, so I can see what I can do?

References: 5.12 Note & 5.11.95 Announcement

So the video for this release will be somewhat difficult due to the type of release. Here are some ideas I have for visuals in the video . . .

• Notification text selectable again including copy link feature
• Slim kickoff possible (remove all tab buttons) similar to slim Kicker introduced in 5.11
• maybe include some Wayland stuff but need ideas for what (I dont think mentioning this is last x focused plasma would be productive for the video)
• Discover like leaner headers, screenshots, b-roll for talking about the stability improvements

There should probably be a section for 5.8 to 5.12 changes:

• dirty benchmarks, create some charts to visualize them
• interactive notifications
• audio indicator in TM
• global menu
• places jump list actions
• Folder View is the default now
• media controls on lock screen
• new System Settings user interface
• new Plasma Vault

• I want to include some Wayland stuff but need ideas for what (I dont think mentioning this is last x focused plasma would be productive for the video)

I see there are several mentions of screen rotating... It is not terribly exciting, but it can be shown visually.

Whoo, all done! Wanna close it?