The past two years have seen the rise of Ukrainain Dota 2 video editor and moviemaker NoobFromUA. Having started his video making career with Starcraft since 2007, a brave venture into the Dota 2 industry has yielded unexpected results for the Ukrainian.
Hello NoobFromUA, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I am from Ukraine, and I'm 23 years old.
When did your journey as a Dota 2 Video/Moviemaker begin? What was it like?
In the beginning, NoobFromUA was generally a gameplay channel. I have been creating videos since 2007, learning slowly moviemaking. I started first at virtualdub, then Sony Vegas, and later watched mass tutorials to get the best possible quality for youtube. As for Dota 2 moviemaking, it came to me after I saw that a lot more people were watching my dota 2 videos as compared to my general gameplay ones.
What is your objective when making such videos? (Perhaps to contribute to the community, ad revenue, to showcase different players etc.)
At the beginning I just wanted to showcase gameplay. It was in the from of the old Starcraft (Brood War) FPVOD long ago.
FPVOD is first person gameplay, just to feel how pro players feel the game. In Starcraft for example it was interesting for me how pro Korean Gosu players control with their units with 300+ APM. Similarly, in DOTA 2 i discovered the 'player perspective' mode option in replays, so I decided to give it a shot.
Was there a certain ‘theme’ or a thought process for compiling the video, or generally did you try to show the skill that some players posses?
There isn't really a theme; I don't know what my next video be about, nor who it will feature. In general there are some themes: Pro Players, Highlights, Pub Games, Some interesting moments. Overall though, I don't plan anything for my videos.
Where do you find material for your videos?
Everywhere, I am constantly checking Dotabuff, players' profiles, Reddit, watching tournaments/streams everyday. As for music, I search in Vkontakte.
Take us through the process of video editing. What does it require?
It requires quite a lot of free time. At the beginning all I was learning was how to squeeze the best maximum possible quality from the YouTube platform. I learnt Sony Vegas from the scratch, cropping, syncing, overlays, editing, etc.
Do you work alone or with a team? Which do you prefer?
I work alone, prefer only alone. All has to be under my control.
Making videos is not easy work at all. It's quite tedious and time consuming. What inspires you to keep going?
Only feedback, comments and seeing that the Dota 2 community likes what I do.
Any features that you would like to see implemented in the Dota 2 client for video editors?
There is a hotkey for a 10 sec replay loopback, but since then, I've learnt abit of AHK script (and made a script for that).
Who do you consider to be the other prominent videomakers out there? Who do you consider to be your main competitiors?
There is no competition. I like Dotacinema, NatusVincereTV etc.
NoobFromUA's latest work centers around Artour 'Arteezy' Babaev, a profession Dota 2 player for Evil Geniuses. In this gameplay video, Arteezy makes an astonishing comeback, as seen in the first person player's perspective.
Have you received any offers to work with organisations/others like yourself? Any aims of working with any particular individual or organisation?
No, there were no offers. Of course I can go work for someone, but I prefer working for myself.
What do you look forward to in the future of video editing?
As for me, I would like to create not only dota 2 videos. Now I know basics of video editing well, so I will create another projects.
Any thoughts on professional players out there as you review their gameplay? Are there any players that you consider rising stars?
All pro players are great, I consider Solo to be working hard, and he has much potential.
Any favourite player out there? What was the funniest/wierdest replay that you have ever seen?
Dendi is my favorite player. Lots of funny replays have happened, and generally speaking, all Base Races are funny/wierd.
What are your hobbies when not making videos for the community? Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I like working out, running, cycling, and I like PC Hardware stuffs. I've ran a marathon alone around Lviv (Kiev) before, and that to me is an achievement.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I've ran a marathon alone around Lviv before, and that to me is an achievement.
What is the situation in Ukraine right now, with all the protests happening? What is the atmosphere and general feeling of the people?
In Ukraine, the situation is better than it was 3 months ago. At last, the president-murderer runs away. All will be better now for Ukraine.
A few words for budding moviemakers/videomakers out there?
Keep making high quality videos.
Thanks for the interview NoobFromUA! To show your support for Dota 2 video makers like him, do 'Like' him on Facebook, subscribe to him on YouTube, Follow him on Twitter and VK.
