Youtube has revolutionised the way millions watch video. No longer are we bound to the videoshop for our entertainment ; now we can simply log in via the 'net, put in a key word, and be presented with literally thousands of options for our viewing pleasure.

OK. Much is crap. A percentage apparently - or so I read in newspapers - is even fodder for the law enforecement services (who on earth is stupid enough to post material that shows a mate kicking the living crap out of someone. Oops sorry. For a minute I was assuming these people have more than one brain cell).

But there are some gems, and I am sure, among those millions of 10 minute videos there are, with some luck, creators who are the next Spielberg, Kubrick, Lucas or Bergmanns just waiting to be discovered.

But what do you need to do to have a producer/director higher up the food chain to cock an eyebrfow and pick up the phone (or send an email) to a minion to find out more about a potential budding superstar.

The major thing, and above all others, is tell a story. Special effects, transitions and camera work do not tell a story. These - and especially lighting and audio - ADD to a story.

Whether your flick is 10 mins or 30 secs, a story is paramount. Before you load the tape, check the batteries, plug in the lights, get your best mates to agree to ham it up, make sure you have an interesting story.

Make notes, create a roughie flow chart of the plot, turn that into a screenplay so your actors know what they need to do, think about lighting to create a mood, audio is also so important ......

How do you do that. How do you create a story? And all those other things ...

Now that's the secret we'll divulge in later blogs. Keep watching (and as a blatant plug, hop on over to www.australasiancamcorder.info and even better, subscribe!)

Oh, and it doesn't need to be video! More years ago than I care to remember, I saw a NASA presentation of a lunar landing that was created with a bank of (30 off memory) Kodak Carousel slide projectors using stills and a soundtrack from Mike Oldfield (licenced of course).

That has stuck in my memory as a benchmark forever as to what can be done with imagination and a little bit of talent. With today's even basic home computer, you have far more power than those NASA engineers; but talentand imagination (and time) are still needed.

A bad presentation/video on Youtube can be picked and dismissed immediately as it shows, no preparation has been made in it. If you want a talent scout to find you, take the time to make it worth their while.