Introducing Doc Lightning: MinnMax's Community Documentary Event (Patreon)

You have the tools right now to create a short documentary, so why don't you try? Introducing our new community event for the month of May: Doc Lightning! We're encouraging the entire MinnMax community to create a short documentary and we'll all watch them together at the end of the month. Here's why it'll be a piece of cake...

- We want first-timers, no expertise or experience required! Zero pressure on this thing. (Obviously you're still welcome to participate if you have video production experience as well, though.)

- All documentaries must be under 3 minutes. You can submit a one minute-long documentary, all are welcome.

- You can record everything with your phone, no need for a fancy camera or mic. If you're recording on your phone, please use it horizontally... this ain't TikTok.

- DaVinci Resolve is free video editing software for you to use (but there's also iMovie for iPhone users and CapCut on Android), and YouTube is filled with tutorials on how to use it. No need for graphics or special effects, if you can cut a clip and arrange it on a timeline then you're good to go. Have you seen our travelogues? They're simple.

- If you choose to use music, don't use songs claimed by a copyright. Here's a free library of music from YouTube, we recommend filtering it by "Attribution Not Required" to make it even easier for you. youtube.com/audiolibrary

- There's now a channel in the Discord called Doc Lightning where you can talk about your project, share tips, and even collaborate directly if you want. You have access to the Discord if you're a Patreon supporter at any tier.

- This isn't a competition. But we'll be randomly giving out a treasure trove of 5 game codes to one person, so submit a documentary if you want to get the treasure.

As for the big question: What should my documentary be about? Whatever you want. Record stories from your most interesting friend or family member, highlight a community event, document the building of a LEGO set, SURPRISE US. Show off some humanity. Just make sure you have verbal permission to record whoever is in your documentary. Also, don't create a mockumentary or just record yourself monologuing about a game. Get out there and document something. Don't reach out to folks on behalf of MinnMax (directly representing the outlet) for your documentary, but you're welcome to say it's for a MinnMax community event. Also, MinnMax retains zero ownership over your finished short documentary. It's yours. Oh, and I (Ben Hanson) will be making one as well.

You have until the end of May to submit your documentary, you can send me a message on Patreon with a YouTube link (unlisted is fine) or Vimeo or Dropbox or whatever you want. Remember that it must be under 3 minutes! We'll be streaming a Doc Lightning Film Festival on Thursday, June 1st and celebrating everybody's work. Let us know if you have any questions. This is going to be fun, all it takes is a willingness to try something new.

Any help sharing the announcement video is appreciated - https://youtu.be/Kz9SBzY1Al0

Doc Lightning art by Empty Maracas - https://www.instagram.com/emptymaracas

Become a Game Champion by supporting MinnMax at the $50 tier on Patreon and lock in the game of your choice! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Mystical Ninja: Starring Goemon - Luciano Comassetto

Tokyo Jungle - Michael Berry

80 Days - DarkFishDays

Half-Life: Alyx - Maniac

No One Lives Forever - Jot

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix - The Sleepy Mailman

Garfield Kart: Furious Racing - RabidLime

Sly 2: Band of Thieves - ProcyonNumber6

Placid Plastic Duck Simulator - RabidLime

Superman 64 - Zachary Pligge

Snowboard Kids 2 - Ted Ryser

Pajama Sam: No Need To Hide When It’s Dark Outside - Starkiller

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles - Joshua Ayers

Luck be a Landlord - TrampolineTales

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble - Tokyo Game Life

Paper Mario - Clemens Zobel

Ico - Studio Hoiho

Dragon Age Origins - Logan Krause

The Simpsons: Hit & Run - Jawarhello

Cap'n Crunch's Crunchling Adventure - Prettygoodprinting.com

Dark Cloud - Andres Silva

Digimon Survive - Malcolm Holliday