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Clipped Segments

Pre-Stream Setup

  1. Content Planning:

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    • Identify Key Moments: Before the stream, think about the types of moments that would make great clips. These could include intense gameplay, funny interactions, high-stakes moments, or insightful commentary.
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    • Create a Stream Agenda: Outline the segments or activities planned for the stream where clip-worthy moments are likely to happen. Share this agenda with any moderators or team members.

  2. Technical Setup:

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    • High-Quality Stream Settings: Ensure that your stream settings (resolution, bitrate, frame rate) are optimized for both live viewing and future clipping. Streaming at 1080p and 60fps is ideal for high-quality clips.
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    • OBS Setup: -
      • Dedicated Recordings: Use the OBS Source Record plugin to record specific scenes or sources separately from your main stream recording. This allows for higher-quality clips without relying on stream compression.
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      • Scene Management: Set up different scenes in OBS with appropriate transitions. For example, you can have a “highlight” scene with zoom effects or overlays that make clip-worthy moments stand out.
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    • Stream Deck/Hotkeys: -
      • Clip Marking Hotkey: Set up a hotkey or use a Stream Deck button to quickly mark moments during the stream that you think could become clips. This timestamping will make finding the moments easier during post-stream editing.
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      • Instant Replay Feature: Configure an instant replay feature in OBS to save the last 30-60 seconds of footage with a single button press.

  3. Communication with Moderators/Editors:

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    • Assign Roles: If you have moderators or an editing team, assign someone the role of monitoring the stream for clip-worthy moments. They can use commands or tools to mark these moments in real-time.
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    • Use of Clip Tools: Encourage moderators and viewers to use the platform’s built-in clip function (e.g., Twitch's "Clip" feature) to capture moments as they happen. This also serves as a backup to your local recordings.
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    • Chat Commands for Clips: Set up custom chat commands (like !clip) that viewers can use to notify you or the mods about potential clip-worthy moments.

  4. Viewer Interaction:

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    • Clip Challenges or Highlights: Consider setting up challenges or specific segments where viewers can anticipate clip-worthy moments. Engaging the audience this way can lead to a higher volume of good clips.
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    • Real-Time Feedback: Encourage viewers to mention in chat when something was particularly entertaining or noteworthy. This real-time feedback can help identify moments to clip.

During the Stream

  1. Highlighting Clip-Worthy Moments:

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    • Emphasize Reactions: Be mindful of your reactions to in-game moments or interactions. A strong, clear reaction (whether it’s excitement, shock, or humor) makes a clip more engaging.
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    • Narrate Key Moments: Verbally highlight moments that are important, funny, or interesting. This helps signal to both viewers and editors that this is a moment worth clipping.
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    • Use On-Screen Overlays: Utilize on-screen graphics or overlays to draw attention to moments that could become clips. For example, a “Clip That!” overlay could flash when something clip-worthy happens.

  2. Real-Time Clip Marking:

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    • Use Hotkeys: Press your clip-marking hotkey whenever you feel a moment could be a good clip. This will help you easily find these moments during post-stream editing.
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    • Monitor Viewer Clips: Keep an eye on clips created by viewers during the stream. Sometimes they catch moments you might miss. Engage with them by acknowledging the clips in real-time.

  3. Stay Clip-Conscious:

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    • Mind the Replay Buffer: If using OBS’s instant replay feature, remember that pressing the replay button will save the last 30-60 seconds. Use this for unexpected but great moments.
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    • Engage with the Audience: Encourage viewers to keep clipping and sharing their favorite moments. This creates a more interactive stream and provides more content for post-stream editing.

Post-Stream Clip Extraction

  1. Clip Review and Selection:

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    • Review Marked Moments: After the stream, go through the timestamps you marked during the stream. These are your primary candidates for clips.
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    • Viewer Clips: Review clips created by viewers on the streaming platform. Sometimes these user-generated clips capture moments you didn’t mark.
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    • Quick Scan: Skim through the stream recording, focusing on segments where you know something significant happened. This can help you catch additional moments that may have been overlooked.

  2. Editing the Clips:

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    • Trim and Polish: Use video editing software to trim the clips to just the essential moments. Remove any unnecessary lead-in or lead-out footage.
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    • Add Enhancements: Consider adding subtitles, zoom effects, or overlays to make the clip more engaging. A short intro or outro can also help contextualize the clip.
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    • Consistent Branding: Add branding elements such as your logo, stream handle, or a custom clip frame to ensure consistency across all your clips.

  3. Export and Format:

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    • Optimal Settings: Export the clips in the appropriate format for the platform where you’ll be sharing them (e.g., 1080p MP4 for YouTube or TikTok). Consider aspect ratio changes for different platforms (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok).
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    • Metadata: Write compelling titles, descriptions, and tags for each clip to improve discoverability. Include relevant keywords and hashtags.

  4. Distribution and Promotion:

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    • Platform-Specific Upload: Upload the clips to various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok. Tailor each clip’s format and presentation to the platform’s audience.
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    • Social Media Sharing: Share the clips across your social media channels, tagging relevant parties, and using trending hashtags to maximize reach.
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    • Clip Compilation: Consider compiling the best clips from a stream or a series of streams into a highlights video. This can be uploaded as a separate video on platforms like YouTube.

  5. Community Engagement:

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    • Clip Contests: Engage your community by holding clip contests where viewers vote on the best clip from a stream. This can increase engagement and provide feedback on what content resonates most.
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    • Feedback Loop: Ask your community for feedback on the clips you produce. This can help refine what moments you focus on in future streams.

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