For a long time I’ve promised that a new series of video reviews are coming to Live And Let’s Fly and this week I’m happy to debut my first “Minute Review,” which highlights my JAL A350-1000 flight in first class from New York to Tokyo.
JAL A350-1000 First Class Minute Review (Video)
I feel like many of us have short attention spans and sometimes my 3,000-word flight reviews with over 100 pictures are a bit much to digest, especially if you are just reading my blog during a break at work or on the toilet. Sure, you can quickly scroll through the pictures, but unless you’re reading my commentary you get an incomplete picture of the flight.
Recognizing that I’m a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to writing out reviews and even blogging, I’m introducing a new video series I call “Minute Reviews.” I’ve given it that label for two reasons. First, because in court I deal with a lot of “Minute Orders” which are brief official records, usually prepared by the court clerk, summarizing what occurred and what the judge ordered during a hearing. Second, and more logically, because these reviews will be limited to 60 seconds…no exceptions. So quite literally, they will be Minute Reviews.
The advantage of these short reviews is that I can post them on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Threads simultaneously…I’m hoping that so doing will expand the reach of my blog to a new generation of readers who prefer watching to reading.
If you watch the video below, you can see it’s not so much a video as a collage of photos with my narration over it…that’s going to be the case for several upcoming reviews, but over the last year I’ve also started recording short videos of the seats, food, amenities, IFE, etc so that the video review will actually include moving pictures…baby steps!
I hope to post once video per week…that’s the plan at least. We’ll see how it goes. Since this is my “pilot” video, I certainly welcome your feedback on how I’ve structured it and let me know if you see any low-hanging fruit I’m missing or even longer-term improvements that I can make. I used Capcut to create the video and add the captions.
Thanks for watching and hopefully this will be a way to grow the audience, but for my loyal readers, worry not – the written trip reports will continue as before.
Good luck! GO vs 60 seconds is intentional, I presume. Obviously will be some growing to do (better thumbnails, part of the narration felt slightly sped up to not go over 60 seconds, etc.), but hey, one video at a ti… erm, yeah.
Anyway, so much great review content from you over the years it would be silly not to try to monetize it in this way, hope it works!
Still think you, OMAAT and VWFW should launch a podcast…
Appreciate the feedback. The “GO” is deliberate, but maybe too cheesy?
Maybe, but the crest is for you more than anyone else. Will just become part of brand identity if it takes off. Would roll with it.
I respect that you are trying to reach a younger audience. I LOVE your blog and have been reading it for years – between your affection for United/Lufthansa, trips to Europe where I grew up, etc I’m very fond of Live and Let’s Fly.
However, I feel this video falls into the category of poorly made short-form video content. As an example, when the narration was talking about how you had a Japanese old fashioned, the video showed a salad and pasta. It feels like a random assortment of pictures that don’t relate to the narration at all with some random music thrown in the background.
For good examples of videos, I would check out Swayne Martin or My Layover Life on YouTube.
Please take this comment in the spirit in which it’s intended: namely to give you some feedback (that you asked for) while respecting the content you produce and the blog you’ve created.
Very helpful comment and I do concede the pictures did not always match the narration. I’m doing this all myself, at least for now, and I hope that over time I’ll get a lot better at it.
in court I deal with a lot of “Minute Orders”
Do you litigate on top of everything else?
A little bit…
I prefer 5,000 word flight reviews! Keep up the good work Matthew.
The dumbing down of society continues.
Just my personal view. The slides especially of food were quite fast. But i like the review. Excellent summary.
I’d skip the music. I found it distracting with the narration.
Noted, but maybe a different type of music or not as loud?
I watched. I liked it. “If you get the chance… TAKE IT.” Crisp delivery. 10/10.
Really liked the format… Works great as a first impression of the cabin, and great ending it with referring to the full review.
I agree on previous comments regarding combining speak over and pictures.
The music seems a bit off for me, I would probably go with something contemporary and even more neutral.
For future reviews I wouldn’t take the “minute” too literal. 50 sec or 1:10 might work better depending what you want to share from video to video. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t notice anyway.
But congrats on the first take… Will sure be back for more 🙂
I liked it. See if it appeals to the masses!
Maybe you need a one minute and a three minute review. Just to add to the workload.
Definitely a good move to expand your reach.
I think a two minute video would still be fast enough yet provide a little more depth especially around food and beverage. Or shoot 2-3 videos focusing on one area (food, seat/amenities)
I took JAL 1st last year LAX-HND and the in flight Japanese meal was the best I have ever had. Service was fabulous and other than JAL being known for keeping cabins warm, an excellent flight.
Best of good luck! It is obvious that each new journey starts with a single step. It brings a chance to grow, learn new things, and change our existence for the better.
For aviation enthusiasts → JL currently has 11 A350-1000s (average age: 1.9 years) in its fleet.
Liked it but it did seem rushed. Your natural voice inflection is a little lost. Relax . This is a court of your followers!
Didnt watch, cant be bothered with videos
I can do it in less than five seconds: it’s an Airbus, therefore it sucks.
No! Take it back! Nuu Yawk still #1!
I guess I’m just a dinosaur as well because I greatly prefer normal reviews. The rapid switching of pictures is necessary to fit the information into the timeframe but it doesn’t do much for me. I also agree with above comments that matching the pictures up with the commentary will be an ongoing challenge if you continue. I prefer the richness of your normal reviews to this format.
Nice video, but the narration must match with the pictures, or else it feels off.
Good luck with your new series of video reviews!
Given the very short nature of the video, I’d skip ALL pictures of you (yes, I know you love to take them but I’d save them for the blog) and increase the time length of other pictures, especially the food pictures.
Agree with others who have noted music wasn’t quite it. Also sometimes the captions were hard to read if the image behind was light-colored; perhaps a full black square behind the words would do the trick there. Also agree with others who request this be a complement not a substitute for the long-form written reviews!
Not to be pedantic, but I think you’re a little loose with the term, video. This is a slide show with background music and voiceover. I still enjoyed it, but agree with others that you need to slow down the slides/images.
I found it hard to consume … pictures move by too quickly, narration too rapid. After the 60 seconds I simply didn’t have any take-away. Maybe just me … I’m not against video, just this format. I do like your blog though!
I enjoyed it. Wish it was 2 minutes. It’s so funny I have been reading this blog for some time and it never occurred to me to wonder what your voice sounds like.
Nothing like I expected ! And not in a bad way ! (your voice)
Please keep honing the videos and as always I look forward to the daily articles.’
Best Wishes !
Same! I’ve been reading his blog for years, and suddenly realizing he has “a voice” was a shocker for me.
I’ve had Lagrange and love it, though I’ve never had the 2017.
I enjoyed it, and the music too which helped move the review along. I think this is a great idea. Sometimes I am not interested in reading your full review so this instead will provide a snapshot of it.
You’ll tweak it into the right form for your readers in time. Good luck!
omg u sound so prententious (so do i) love it mega dick!