Last year, I decided to experiment with a long-form documentary-style video. It was supposed to be a one-off, an experiment to test the waters. By most measures, it was terrible—AI images overdone to the point of absurdity, slow pacing, awkward design choices—but ironically, it became my best-performing video ever.
It has not only gotten over 1,000,000 views, made thousands of dollars, and garnered thousands of subscribers, it also compelled me to continue, and since then I’ve even got a documentary on streaming services.
Why did it succeed? And what would I change if I had the chance to do it all over again? Let’s break down why my terrible documentary “The Secret Truth of UFOs” went viral.
The Video
What I’d Change If I Did It Again
- The AI Images
This was the most glaring issue. I had a concept, ran with it, and then overdid it. While the topic itself justified some creative imagery, I pushed it too far. The intro worked in setting the tone, but it was too slow. If I were to remake the video, I’d make the visuals more character-focused and concise. Storytelling, not proving my competence, should’ve been the priority. - Fonts, Graphics, and Colors
Let’s just say… cohesion was not my strong suit. The fonts clashed, the colors felt inconsistent, and the overall design lacked polish. While I’ve improved this aspect in my newer videos, the views don’t reflect it (so maybe no one cares, haha). Still, if I were doing it over, I’d invest more time in creating a cohesive and visually appealing presentation. - Pacing and Structure
Some sections dragged on too long, losing momentum. The blue book section in particular was over-explained. I was so focused on making my points, and convincing myself more than anyone that I wasn’t an idiot, that I didn’t prioritise keeping the viewer engaged.
Lessons learned: brevity is your friend, even in long-form content.
What Worked (Surprisingly Well)
- The Storyline
Despite its flaws, the storyline was the heart of this documentary. I spent weeks refining it, ensuring it appealed to viewers tired of wild conspiracy theories. Instead of following a predictable timeline, the narrative focused on people. This approach made it:- Specific and credible
- Grounded in reality
- Engaging for viewers who want facts, not sensationalism
- Character Focus – I built the storyline around 3 or 4 of the main people giving the evidence; their credibility made it an engaging watch on an otherwise conspiracy-filled topic.
- Audio and Atmosphere
The sound design played a big role in covering up some of the visual shortcomings. It added depth to the stories and brought the characters to life, even when the AI images fell flat. I tried to bring parts of it to life, for example, when Cmdr. David Fravor was telling the audience about the TicTac incident. - Thorough Research
I went all-in on research, watching 16-20 hours of Senate and Congress footage. Was it exhausting? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes. It allowed me to present the government’s evasive and dismissive responses to UFO inquiries, reinforcing the idea that “somebody knows.” - Evidence-First Approach
By presenting evidence first and saving my opinion for later, I added credibility to the video and encouraged discussion. This decision paid off, as the comments section became a lively space for debate and engagement.
Lessons for the Future
Looking back, the video isn’t as awful as I’d remembered. Sure, there’s a lot I’d change, but it had its strengths. It resonated with viewers because it struck a balance between skepticism and intrigue, offering a credible take on a fascinating subject.
If you enjoyed this breakdown and want to see more long-form documentaries, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.
And if you’re a content creator, check out VidStew. It’s free to sign up and makes organizing and managing video projects a breeze. 😊
Let’s keep exploring the truth, no matter how “horrible” the process might be.