It's alive!

By Joe Peterson- 5/1/24

Day 1: Captain's Log... Just kidding!

This is my first ever blog post, and honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing.  I wasn't even sure what a blog was until I looked it up on [Google Search]!  In fact, I even consulted with Gemini, Google's AI system, to make sure I was on the right track. Gemini told me,  ""No need to call it anything else! 'Blog' works perfectly for the kind of content you described. It's a familiar term that people understand and readily search for.'"  So, if this isn't a blog, blame Gemini, not me!

Today marks the official launch of my website! Well, kind of. I created the domain name last week, but today is the day it's finally live. It's pretty basic for now, but it's a start, and it gives people a place to find me online.

I'm considering starting an official business, but sometimes I can be a bit indecisive, especially when it comes to things like that. You should have seen me trying to come up with a name for my YouTube channels way back when!

From Need4productions to Videography

Looking back over the past year and a half with Need4productions, I'm proud of what I've accomplished. It all started when I, just your average Joe, wanted an excuse to spend more time gaming without feeling guilty in front of my wife and family. I created a YouTube channel with the dream of becoming a successful gaming influencer, just like all the popular YouTubers I watched making a good living.  Yeah, well, that didn't exactly work out as planned.

But hey, I learned a lot along the way.  One of the biggest things I learned was that you need decent equipment to make good quality videos. That's where my initial dreams hit a wall. We weren't exactly rolling in dough, and I couldn't afford all the fancy equipment those big YouTubers were using.  I did manage to convince my wife to let me get a decent camera for the family, and I tried using that for my videos. It worked for a while, but it was very limiting.

Then I learned that I could use my smartphone as a camera and discovered OBS, a free program that many YouTubers used for live streaming.  That's when my Need4gaming YouTube channel was born.  For a while, I was able to record a lot of gaming videos using my phone camera and built-in mic.

I don't want to dwell on all the details about equipment,  but the point is that even with a tight budget and limited resources, you can still create YouTube content and chase your dreams.  Maybe influencer isn't quite the right title for me yet, but I'm happy with where I'm at. I'm happy with what I've learned, what I've created, and what I've been able to share with others.

From Gaming to Pima High Football

In mid-2023, I heard that Pima High School didn't have anyone to live stream their local football games.  At the time, my daughter was on the cheerleading team, and I frequently attended the games to watch her perform.  That was the extent of my football fandom at the time.  Just a proud dad supporting his cheerleader daughter.

When I found out there was an opening for a live streamer, I jumped at the opportunity.  I contacted the coach and some of the faculty to see if they would allow me to live stream the games.  Since my YouTube channel was already set up for live streaming, I figured why not?

The school gave me the go-ahead, and I started making plans.  In all honesty, I hadn't really thought it through completely before I volunteered.  I was just excited to find a way to add more content to my gaming channel, and I didn't have a clue about the logistics of live streaming a football game.

To learn more, I contacted the previous streamer, Jeff Skiba. I asked him about his experience and watched a few of his broadcasts to get a general idea of what I was getting myself into.  It all seemed easy enough on video, but the reality was much more challenging.

From Crowded Booths to Creative Solutions

The first game day arrived, and I quickly discovered my initial plan wouldn't work. The announcer's box, with my tripod, would be cramped and uncomfortable for everyone. Climbing to the roof, like some videographers, wasn't an option either. It was packed, and others had priority. So, I decided to stream from the bleachers.

Bleacher broadcasting had its charm, with the roar of the crowd cheering on the home team. However, it also came with challenges. The constant rumble of feet on the bleachers, fans standing in front of the camera, and a particularly loud neighbor made it difficult to capture high-quality audio and maintain a clear view of the field.  Looking back, the bleachers weren't the ideal location.

Learning from Experience: Scoreboard Overlays and Teamwork

Fortunately, a conversation with Jeff Skiba, the previous streamer, offered a valuable tip: a scoreboard overlay!  I naively thought overlays were expensive and reserved for professionals. But after some research, I discovered free software! It took time to learn and master, but eventually, I had a functional scoreboard for my stream.

The next hurdle was operating the scoreboard while filming the game. Sleepless nights were spent researching how to integrate it with OBS, the live streaming software. Finally, with some trial and error, I figured it out.

However, a new challenge emerged: keeping score while filming proved trickier than anticipated.  That's when I enlisted my brother Nathan's help.  He became my partner-in-crime,  joining me at the games to handle the scoreboard while I focused on operating the camera.

Challenges and Growth

This experience ignited my passion for videography.  It was incredibly rewarding to help others, allowing families, friends, and fans to enjoy the games without battling the crowds.

Despite my best efforts, the stream quality wasn't ideal. Sharing the school's Wi-Fi with everyone led to choppy broadcasts.  There were constant technical glitches, but I persevered. While I craved a flawless broadcast, I learned that challenges are inevitable.  My dedication to quality remains a core value in my work.

From Humble Beginnings to a Brighter Future

Today, in 2024, I'm equipped with better gear and actively working to establish my name.  This dream is fueled by dedication, countless hours, and a significant financial investment.  Even some embarrassing YouTube moments haven't deterred me!

This is me, Joe Peterson, your average Joe with a passion for videography and ambitious goals.  I strive to make a difference by offering affordable videography services and volunteering my skills to local schools and the community.  Nice to meet you!