Face versus No Face

Contributor: C4ss C4ss
I really don't have a preference. When I'm reading or watching a review I'm interested in learning about the toy so it doesn't make a difference for me and I know some people prefer not to show their face.
12/06/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
For those that do not like faces, do not watch my latest video.

I do not care either way, like others have said, I am not interested in their face but the product.
12/06/2010
Contributor: Research Research
The videos really are about the toy and not the reviewer, so it doesn't really matter. I've tried both face and no face in my videos and I don't have a preference either way.

That said, I always appreciate a technically good video. If I can't hear you, or if I can't see the toy well, I might not find the review very useful.

Research's Famous Video Tips:

-Get a direct light source on the toy: lamp, flashlight, whatever. It might look too bright to you but it will look great on camera.

-Get the microphone close to your mouth. A $10 computer mic from Best Buy clipped to your collar will make you sound like a pro and you won't have to shout!

-Smile! Even if you don't show your face, we can hear a smile in someone's voice. A smile can make the difference between a boring rehearsed speech and a warm, genuine opinion.

Hope this helps.
12/06/2010
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I don't put my face in my videos.

First of all, I am trying to protect my privacy. Last thing I need at the next family meal with my ultra-conservative relatives is to have my sex toy reviews come up. I'm sure it will get out there eventually, but if I can wait until my 87 year old grandmother is no longer around to hear about it, that will be OK with me... Granted, that may be another 10 years (I'm not complaining, I love my grandmother).

Second of all, I really like having this "secret" identity.

Third, when I angle the camera down from my face (which *I* don't think is my best feature), I get to point it at my best feature!
12/06/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
I don't put my face in my videos.

First of all, I am trying to protect my privacy. Last thing I need at the next family meal with my ultra-conservative relatives is to have my sex toy reviews come up. I'm sure it will get out there ... more
You put that quite eloquently and I agree! (Though I don't think my breasts are my best feature lol.)
12/06/2010
Contributor: celibacysucks celibacysucks
As humans we are inherently drawn to other human faces, so wanting to see the face of the reviewer is understandable. However, I've considered doing video reviews and I wouldn't show my face in them. I don't really want family, friends, or coworkers stumbling on a review I did and knowing how I get my rocks off.
12/10/2010
Contributor: rdytogo rdytogo
Adding the face makes it more personal, but it isn't a deal breaker for me.
12/11/2010
Contributor: seaofneptune seaofneptune
I really don't care either way, if the reviewer wants to show their face than that's great but if now I am not going to dislike it anymore. I respect their privacy and if they want to keep it than more power to them. If I ever make a video, I will guarantee that you will not be able to see my face. When I do make videos or even take any pictures I try to make sure that no one can get a hint of who I am from anything in the picture. I don't want to be recognized at all. I work in a public domain and I love what I do and I don't want it messed up because someone turns their nose up at me because I enjoy talking/learning about sex/sex toys.
12/14/2010
Contributor: lemony lemony
Some people want their privacy...even if you could recognize their voice if you knew them
12/18/2010
Contributor: clp clp
I prefer to see a face, just because watching hands gesture are not as engaging. Of course, you can still find a great review video without a face, but the ones that include faces have that leg up to start with.

I also sometimes feel badly about staring at a girls' boobs when there isn't a face. Just being honest, but thats usually what happens. No eyes watching me to feel badly about it.
12/25/2010
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
I don't really care either way. The main perk of videos for me is seeing/hearing the toy or lingerie. There's something about seeing someone hold it that gives me a much better idea about the size. I think it's great if you are comfortable showing your face, but I also totally understand why someone would not want to.
01/01/2011
Contributor: A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople) A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople)
I don't have a preference. Also, it is pretty interesting to see someone not showing their face, so I might even prefer the reviews when don't show it.
02/22/2011
Contributor: Xavier7 Xavier7
I prefer face.
02/28/2011
Contributor: Xavier7 Xavier7
I prefer face.
02/28/2011
Contributor: TheSinDoll TheSinDoll
I like to see a face. I does make it more personal to me. For some reason I feel as if the reviewer is speaking directly to me about the product.
02/28/2011
Contributor: Moein Moein
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
Privacy is important for a lot of people (including myself), so if there's no face, it's no big deal. I think the videos can be great either way.
Right Sammi

me too, I just focusing on the idea.
02/28/2011
Contributor: skunked skunked
I feel more connected to the review if the person shows their face. I'm big on eye contact and watching someone's helps me understand them better.
03/18/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I don't care one way or the other, personally. After all, I'm only watching the video to learn about the toy anyway. It doesn't make any difference to me at all.
03/18/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Ajax
okay sooo I prefer watching videos where people do not show their face because if I watch a video and then go out and get the toy I tend to have flashes of the video review going through my head while I'm playing with the toy. And as hot as ... more
Yes, I can understand how flashing back to the face of the reviewer could be distracting.
06/23/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Dove
Although I am pro openness..
I am not okay with putting a video on here that shows my face, as opposed to, say, my blog where it is still public but I control it and can take it down or change it at any time, or password protect it or ... more
I think Darling Dove made some really good points about why I probably won't show my face... "less a privacy issue and more a control of information issue."

There are some video reviews where the reviewer's whole body (including face) really adds to the experience, and these are usually well-made videos.

But in the general case, I actually find that I like videos where I can't see reviewers' faces. Part of this is because the focus is on the toy, not on the reviewer. But part of it is that I really understand the privacy thing deeply. What I guess I mean is, I'm happy to have the information without prying into the reviewers' personal lives. For most people who make the choice not to show their faces---I'll bet they would be glad that I wouldn't recognize them on the street. I want to respect the privacy of others, probably even more than most people want their privacy respected.

For those of you who show your faces, though---awesome work, guys! I sill probably wouldn't call out to you if I passed you on the street, though. Even if it wouldn't make you feel weird, I would worry that it would make you feel weird.
06/23/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
Quote:
Originally posted by Research
The videos really are about the toy and not the reviewer, so it doesn't really matter. I've tried both face and no face in my videos and I don't have a preference either way.

That said, I always appreciate a technically good video. ... more
Thanks for the tips, Research. I don't do video reviews yet. But if I do start doing them, I will try to remember what you've said. I didn't know you could buy a mic for $10 from Best Buy (or anywhere else). I imagine that would be a big help for some.
06/23/2011
Contributor: padmeamidala padmeamidala
Quote:
Originally posted by KBToys24
I've been watching all the video reviews lately (blame insomnia) and was curious to see if ya'll have a preference for video reviews. I've noticed that I do prefer watching reviews from people who show their face (Carrie Ann, Jenn, ... more
I don't care if they show their face or not. I personally don't like to show my face online.
06/23/2011
Contributor: Ivy Wilde Ivy Wilde
In my opinion, as long as the review is interesting and informative; the video quality is good and the audio is clear; it doesn't matter if you can see the reviewer's face or not.

I, like many others here, value my anonymity. I don't want anyone to feel pressured to show their face in order to create a "better" video review. It may take a little more effort to make a good video review, if you can't simply smile into the camera and talk directly to the viewer. But I think some of the more creative and interesting video reviews I've watched came about because the reviewer thought of ways to make the review work without putting his or her face in it.
06/23/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
The most important LOGISTICAL things to remember in doing your videos:

*Good lighting

*Good sound

*Good picture

Whether you show your face is irrelevant. As for doing your videos, there are several things that are important to remember:

* You MUST have approval from Carrie Ann to do the video AND the Eden intro in order to get your gift card.

* Keep it simple. Show us the basics of the TOY. I gave a lot of tips (and so did others) in the workshop last night. Recap: Show us how the toy works, how it turns on/off, how you used it most effectively, a BRIEF summary of your likes and dislikes of the toy. Include very little information of what was in your text review. We can read the text if we want to know your specific opinion. Keep videos as objective as possible and basic.

* Try and keep it under 4 minutes per toy. Comparative videos will take longer as you're reviewing two or more toys.
06/23/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Personally, as I've been here longer and longer (excepting a few contributors) I prefer no face. My imagination is far too active and with a face, imagining you with your toy is just a little more real, and while some of you are HOT... ummm, yeah. You get the picture.
06/23/2011
Contributor: tickle me pink tickle me pink
As long as the video is useful, I don't care if they show their face or not. I'm watching the video because of the product after all.
06/23/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
Personally, as I've been here longer and longer (excepting a few contributors) I prefer no face. My imagination is far too active and with a face, imagining you with your toy is just a little more real, and while some of you are HOT... ummm, ... more
Did BBW totally just confess to fantasizing about video reviewers? Awesome!!!
06/23/2011
Contributor: lovemuscle n cookie lovemuscle n cookie
Showing a face would allow you to connect more to the reviewer, as you would be able to perhaps see the enjoyment and excitement about a product in the eyes/smile. Facial expressions and body language say a lot, which is what can make the video reviews better than text reviews. Not only that, but it does give you a size comparison of the product if you wanted to see one.
06/23/2011
Contributor: MaryExy MaryExy
I don't care whether the reviewer shows their face, but I like videos 10x more when the reviewer talks. If someone is worried about someone recognizing them through voice, why bother using video reviews at all?
06/23/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by Darling Jen
Did BBW totally just confess to fantasizing about video reviewers? Awesome!!!
No, NOT fantasize... just visualize... it's not always a good thing.
06/23/2011