What I learned while making an unboxing video

Let me start by saying that sharing this post and the video embedded within this post terrifies me. I’m not naturally extroverted. Still, I like experimenting with video and figured the best practice material I could learn with was … me.

So, here is the outcome of my experimentation with the initial setup of video, lighting, audio and a few other bits and pieces. All of this done while unboxing my new Jackson Guitars X Series Signature Scott Ian King V KVXT. There needed to be something worthwhile in the video. The guitar is just that.

What I learned while making an unboxing video

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the December edition

It’s been less than two weeks since I posted the November edition of my monthly guitar riff challenge and yet here we are. The December edition is here well ahead of the end of the month. I may even have a chance to attempt the end goal for this project before the year ends.

Before I get to that, why not a summary of what has been achieved with this monthly guitar riff video challenge?

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the December edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the November edition

As far as close calls go, this month’s entry in the monthly guitar riff video challenge is as close as I’ve come. As I write this, there are two hours left until the end of November. Tomorrow morning will be December. Still, as soon as I hit Publish on this post, I’m eleven months into a successful blog series. There’s one to go! Maybe I’ll start it tomorrow.

I probably won’t. Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the November edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the October edition

This time last month, I was in Canada (eh). I was literally miles away from my regular world of websites and guitars—although if I stumbled across a guitar store, I did make time to inspect it thoroughly. By this time, I had already posted my September guitar riff challenge and I was enjoying a break from the norm—the norm not including bears and eagles I was seeing in the Rockies. Perhaps it was that break, perhaps it was the change in music I’d been listening to while on holiday, but this month’s monthly guitar riff challenge is actually a bit of a departure from the way I regularly play. And I like it! Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the October edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the September edition

September begins and I already have the riff done for my monthly guitar riff video challenge. I’m way ahead of my previous months. Whatever will I do with the rest of this month?! If I’m lucky, there will be more guitar playing and perhaps video creation. I have plans on how to step up my video game. It involves the help of others. I just haven’t told them yet. This could be fun. Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the September edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the August edition

Even in Australia—where days come earlier than they do for most other countries—it is still August as I add the monthly guitar riff video challenge article to my website. I’m therefore eight months in to a still, somewhat, monthly video challenge that is being met. Just by the skin of my teeth.

I really should brush my teeth more often. Tooth skin is just disgusting.

To the August video content! Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the August edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the July edition

Tomorrow is the 31st of July. So I’ve made the July video with plenty of time to spare. That’s the lie I’m telling myself at least. I am very much behind the eight ball here. July absolutely got away from me. But never fear, I am determined to not let the July edition of the monthly guitar riff video challenge define me. No … My inability to defeat the dredded migraine monster is what will define me. But that’s another story for another time. It’s probably a story for another place too. Migraines aren’t very metal at all.

Riffage! Let’s see what July brought! Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the July edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the June edition

It’s still June and I’m releasing the latest video for the Monthly guitar riff video challenge. Look at me sticking to a schedule!

I used the same extended drum track this month as my previous (May) entry for this monthly guitar challenge I’ve set myself this year. In an attempt to keep pushing myself however, I decided to test my skills in regards to the video capturing process. You don’t see them all in this month’s video, but I did capture the exact same recording from eight different angles using eight different video devices. That was honestly a challenge. I wanted to make sure each camera was not in sight from any of the others as I recorded (excluding the camera mounted to the guitar’s headstock). It’s probably the closest I’ve ever come to having an audience as I played guitar to be honest.

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the June edition

Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the May edition

It’s only been a month and I’ve already uploaded a new monthly riff video. That shouldn’t be as amazing as it seems to be to me. Why? Because the initial challenge I’d set myself at the beginning of this year was to create and share a monthly guitar riff video. It’s not that difficult.

I stumbled at first, but I’m now on track to continue to deliver on a regular, monthly basis. Who knows … I may even end up writing about other things one day. Things beyond this monthly challenge! I’ve done it before. I know it’s possible. Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the May edition