AI-generated content might be on the rise, but human-made content is here to stay. How do I know that? Because ultra-polished, AI-generated scripts could never make an audience feel the way human content can.
Human content has a certain flavor that’s hard to define, but easy to spot. Take camcorder-style footage, for example, or talking head videos, vlogs – even Vines. Human content is messy, brilliant and full of life. In short, it’s irreplaceable.
So, what does it take to make something human? Thankfully, it’s pretty easy: show up authentically as yourself, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and put something out into the world that you’re genuinely proud of...
In this Monthly Cut we’re looking at 5 creators who are doing just that. From storytellers reflecting on their younger selves to creators taking ‘day-in-the-life’ vlogging to a whole new level, in this Cut you’ll learn how to build community, experiment with formats and most importantly, put the human back into your content.
David’s World: Capture the every day
David is on a mission to film a scene from his life every day for an entire year. Each month he drops a short 2-minute video tying his days together in a beautiful collage of moments, from scenes with friends, to work, to watching the kettle boil. This isn’t just a daily record of his life, it’s a commitment to consistency and craft.
The video → David’s month of April shot in 2-second clips.
Why I love it → What could have just been a bundle of random shots is artfully pulled together by a consistent film style and day stamps.
Get inspired → If you have disparate shots and don’t know how to join them, music can be that thread. Pick a track that resonates and use it as a background piece, pairing ambient sound on top for an extra layer of authenticity.
Make Art Not Content: Connection is creativity
Everyone has a creative spark, and Bronques proves it. His unique talent for connecting with others inspires all his short films and podcast episodes on creativity, many of which feature real people he’s met just that day. Rather than trying to go viral or game the algorithm, he’s creating for the love of creating and that’s special.
The video → Bronques takes his new camera for a spin and ends up meeting a hundred different characters along the way.
Why I love it → Each person, event and location is tied together with a fast flowing narrative that keeps you hooked right to the very end.
Get inspired → 4k footage doesn’t need to be the goal. Adding texture (like Bronques’ camcorder grain) can make your videos feel warm and authentic – great for vlog-style edits.
Gloria Gao: Craft shots with intention
What comes first, the story or the shot? For Gloria, it’s the former. Her short personal films tackle a vast span of ideas from accidental social media breaks to the philosophy of decluttering. Every shot has a Wes-Anderson-style intentionality about it, with unique and fun camera set ups and angles that clearly mark out her videos as Gloria Gao videos.
The video → What happens when reality doesn’t match the dream?
Why I love it → Gloria’s failed video shoot forces her to switch gears and try a new idea. In doing so she communicates an important creative message: raw, real-life constraints make for a much better story than a perfect dream script.
Get inspired → Used right, lighting can be a key storytelling tool. Gloria uses muted lighting in her apartment to reflect her feelings of being trapped inside. What emotion is your edit trying to communicate?
Jalex Rosa: Follow your curiosity
Nothing screams ‘human’ like an incredibly niche interest. Jalex Rosa’s content is exactly that. On TikTok and YouTube he shares his crazy visual effects (VFX) skills, crafting live action anime, comic book and game characters from scratch. It’s a brilliant demonstration of what you can do with a green screen, insane editing skills and an unhinged level of dedication.
The video → A month spent making a Naruto live action film.
Why I love it → From funny BTS moments, to serious cinematic cuts; the final video could have been chaotic and confusing. Instead, it’s chaotic and compelling in the best way.
Get inspired → Jalex Rosa uses polls to bring his community into the ideation process for his video long before it goes live. This kind of early-doors engagement is a clever way to help raise interest around your next upload, weeks ahead of schedule.
Dario Viegas: Notice the beauty around you
Dario clearly has a photographer’s eye. Whether he’s wintering in Japan or on a safari in Kenya, his cinematic travel films are composed so expertly that every shot could easily be a framed photograph on your wall. Watch, and you’ll be inspired to take your camera on your next adventure too.
The video → Osaka caught through the DJI Osma Pocket 4.
Why I love it → This isn’t your typical tech video. Dario’s intro shot introduces his gear, quickly transitioning into sweeping cinematic shots which feel like flipping through a series of digital postcards: transient and beautiful.
Get inspired → You don’t need to travel to exotic locations to take beautiful shots. Pay enough attention and even your backyard could reveal interesting new compositions you hadn’t considered.
Create videos that are authentically you
I’ve shared five creators who are making bold, beautiful and chaotically human content. If that’s not enough inspiration to pick up the camera, why not check out my other Monthly Cut posts? They’re full of creators just like you, making their mark on the internet.
When you’re done getting inspired and are ready to make content, Uppbeat should be your next destination. It’s a one-stop destination for all your creative needs and home to thousands of human-made music, visual assets and stock video!
Bring joy to your edit with music and visual assets made by real artists and filmmakers
Uppbeat has hundreds of tracks, sounds, stock footage, graphics and LUTs.
