When filmmaker Yuka Ohishi isn’t documenting her travels with her growing YouTube audience, she’s sharing her thoughts and reviews with her fellow creatives on all things tech. Read her interview below to learn how she stays inspired, her advice to new filmmakers, and how she uses Musicbed to find the right music for her videos.
Musicbed: What sparked your passion for filmmaking/storytelling?
Yuka Ohishi: Before I started making videos, I was into photography, graphic design, and blogging, and all of those skills and interests seemed to come together when I started experimenting with creating videos. Since I was a kid, I have had a passion and curiosity for technology, and connecting with people through my passion has been so much fun over the years.
What keeps you motivated and creatively inspired?
What keeps me motivated and creatively inspired is the ever-changing landscape of technology and the endless possibilities it offers for storytelling, creative expression, and human connection. Staying updated with tech trends and engaging with the community fuels my creativity.
What makes a story visually appealing? What role does music play in storytelling?
A story becomes visually appealing through a combination of composition, color story, dynamic movement, and cuts that help the viewer understand or feel the thing that you’re trying to tell. Music plays a crucial role in storytelling by enhancing the emotional impact and setting the tone. It can transform a scene, convey unspoken feelings, and elevate the narrative, making the story more immersive and memorable.
What elements do you think are essential for crafting a compelling story?
For my videos which are often tech reviews, essential elements are accurately communicating facts, and showing the viewers different aspects of the product from my point of view. Accurately reporting on information while using engaging visuals ensures that the audience immediately understands the value of the technology being reviewed. Detailed analysis and honest opinions form the backbone of trustworthiness, inviting viewers to an authentic dialogue about the tech.
How important is music in your work?
Music is important because it helps convey the feeling and emotions to the viewers. The right music can set the pace and tone, making the content more engaging and dynamic. It can accentuate the excitement of unboxing, focus on receiving information when discussing technical specs, or the fun of testing new features. Music helps in building a narrative around the tech, making the reviews not just informative but also enjoyable to watch.
What advice would you give other filmmakers/creators who are just starting their careers?
To other creators starting their journey, my advice is to not chase the numbers and play the long game. Numbers on social media are nice and may help push your career forward in some ways, but the numbers alone will not give you satisfaction. Focusing on what you want to create leaving a legacy of creation that you are proud of years down the road, and not getting caught up in the short-term hype has helped me create a healthy relationship with my work.
How do you find the balance between pushing boundaries creatively and delivering what your client wants or audience wants to see?
Finding the balance between pushing creative boundaries and delivering what clients or the audience want is an ongoing challenge. I prioritize understanding the core message or goal of each project and then explore creative ways to express it. I like to find use cases or a point of view that is unique and true to me because that’s what makes my videos special. Feedback is also key; listening to your audience or client and being adaptable without compromising your creative integrity is crucial for growth and success.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a filmmaker/creative?
The most challenging aspect of being a creative is staying innovative and original in a saturated market. Keeping the content fresh and engaging while staying authentic to yourself can be daunting. Additionally, managing the technical and logistical aspects of filmmaking, along with the pressure to consistently perform on multiple platforms, can be exhausting. I have always been very careful to not get burned out and to keep it fun, because if it stops being fun, it defeats the purpose of it all. I make sure to listen to my body and take mental health breaks seriously.
What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
I worked on a passion project a few years ago called Creative Heroes where I interviewed female creatives on their work and thought processes. I loved being able to tell my friend’s stories and showcase their talent in my medium: video. I hope to bring back something like this in the future.
How do you search for music on Musicbed? What are some tips that you’d give other filmmakers to search on Musicbed?
I like to start browsing and listening to What’s New to see fresh music that I hadn’t heard before, and then I like to explore the Mood and Genre filters. I’m usually looking for some background music that doesn’t take too much of the attention away from the dialogue, or looking for something that has a lot of character to use where there is no dialogue like in an intro sequence. Searching on Musicbed is easy and intuitive. If you find a song that you really like, I also recommend checking out the artist, following them, and exploring their collection. You can also search for a lyric, which I’ve used to find songs that match a certain vibe before.
Why do you utilize Musicbed in your work?
I love using Musicbed for my videos because it’s easy to navigate, and for the amount of great music you can find. I also like that it is connected to my YouTube channel, and clears any copyright issues with SyncID, and I don’t have to worry about getting copyright strikes or demonetization on my videos.
–
Explore a curated playlist of Yuka’s favorite songs to use in her videos—available to license only on Musicbed.
