One of the best presented essays I have ever seen on TH-cam. To the point. Serious where it needs to be and light hearted otherwise without drifting unnecessarily for a cheap gag. The information is digestible and realistically attainable.
Right? I watched a couple of his videos the other week, then got excited to watch his backlog. Turns out it was only his second or third vid - basically no backlog! Blew my damn mind that he slammed it out of the park immediately on his channel!
I'm confused as fuck. This guy came out of nowhere and is dropping straight fucking heat,if you're making stuff like this you can straight up confirm that the video is gonna have 1 view with full retention time from my account cause you're popping off rn
It's such an uncommon thing to see anyone talking about how to be a DM through analyzing and teaching Structure and Fundamentals, the 'Science' of Art. Your video on how to construct an adventure using the same or similar procedure that professionals use is such a nice change. Even the most experienced youtubers just tell people "yeah it's an art form just wing it, you'll get it eventually" or "today on episode 392, another disorganized 40 minute long rant" (don't get me wrong, I love these guys but it's the 'video game facts to fall asleep to' of the D&D world). This is good, actionable advice that I will definitely be passing along to others.
This has quickly become one of my favorite channels for DM tips. I like how you give really detailed, easy-to-follow, well-structured instructions, all while zooming way in on what *should* be the focus of your efforts. Fantastic stuff.
This is genuinely just also great general writing advice. Like literally, that method of moving through the scene and rendering out in greater detail only what has the "camera's" attention at any given moment, without the thing in focus coming completely out of nowhere, being at least set up in a roughly sketched out form beforehand; that's something I was just doing off of intuition until now, not with the safety of a systematic structure behind it.
Man, I feel like the density of quality advice in this video is very rich. I listened to it once, then listened to it again and I feel like it was a completely different set of information.. my mind latched onto different things each time! I’ve been watching DM advice videos for years, and yours ranks right up there with veterans like Seth Skorkowsky and Matt Colville. I like how your background, film, informs the sort of advice you give.
That's so wild, I can't think of another way to do it. Even though I play in other games and the GMs there don't think in movies, they think like authors or gamers. There's a million ways to play this game, and we're all always learning!
@@Mystic-Arts-DM With you pointing it out, I can see now how film writing, distinct from other types of writing like games and books, can help GMs. It's a form of story that usually must communicate to the audience what they're supposed to feel by merely portraying outside actions, and they usually have to do with an economy of time and words. A novel can be narrated by a protagonist's inner thoughts, but the GM is not the protagonist, they don't have a direct say in what the audience feels, they can only portray 'reality' and hope the audience reacts in an intended way. I'd contend that the tipping scene does have relevence to the rest of the movie, by helping to colour in these characters; nobody needs to come out and say that Mr. Pink is a greedy jerk who only cares about himself, the point is made when he says just three words, "I don't tip". He's revealed what kind of person he is like, and when he acts in certain ways in the rest of the movie, it makes sense to the audience. Similarly, the GM doesn't just tell the party that the people in the tavern don't want them there, they simply have the barkeep and customers act cold and abrasive, and the party comes to their own conclusions.
I recently regained my spark for DMing and the way you use film language to describe DM actions is something I enjoy a lot. I actually compliment my DM when they describe/render a scene really well, I'll say stuff like "ooh the budget this session is high" or something like that. when i begin DMing again I will make a note behind my screen to remind me to know when to leave a sketch a sketch and when to render properly.
This has been a huge help for me. I'm a dnd veteran but 1st time DM. I tend to info-dump because I get excited going through the process of the PCs discovering things and none of them have any previous experience with dnd. Thank you for your insight.
A friend of mine who DMs for us also has aphantasia, and he's rockin' it. His descriptions rely more on the dialogue, the fantasy elements, the story, and when he introduced NPCs he shows us art he's sourced earlier. We really love his games. I bet your players love yours! Good luck!
It's insane how good your videos are. Concise, but packed with information. GOOD information: you're putting the perfect amount of elaboration into each concept you introduce. You also have a really good speaking voice, for what it's worth. As someone who embraced the ways of the lazy DM this past year (DMing for longer, but specifically picked up Michael Shea's stuff last Christmas), your videos are a perfect format. Not too short, not too long, and very well organized. Particularly a big fan of your video covering the 5-Room "Dungeon". Easy subscribe, and major kudos!
I honestly don't know where I'd be without your videos, I'd most certainly would not be 20+ hours in world building and prepping my campaign. I've been putting it off for about 2 years now always finding excuses on why not to do it and not feeling ready but you are really just giving me all the tools I need to feel confident about what I'm doing so THANK YOU!
So much of DMing, especially at the beginning is wild experimentation and attempting to mimic what you've seen work before without the understanding of why it works or doesn't work. Having someone explain some of the underlying structures and the 'why' of it all is fantastic. Please keep it up, you two are amazing.
Love this advice! You don't have to dump every detail on the players the moment they walk onto a location - and not all locations need a lot of detail. Adding layers a bit at a time is just good storytelling.
First video of yours I've seen as I prepare for my first two full campaigns as DM.... One of the best written/thought out/well-spoken/genuinely helpful videos I've seen on how to DM
I loved these tips! Some of my favorite examples of this kind of scene-setting is from an actual play called Campaign: Skyjacks. They’re all professional improv comedians so they really nail the details. Often the DM will ask the players themselves what they see in a new setting. Say they walk into an Inn that used to be a pirate ship. The DM tells them that much, explains the mood of the place as jovial, and then asks “what do you all see?”. Then a player says that the keys for the rooms are kept on the spokes of the ship’s old steering wheel, and the tables are just wooden circles attached to the top of old cannons. The players also describe the scene in terms of a movie. One PC once had to spend a lot of effort to decommission a cannon on a massive ship, and once he had done it he described watching the character’s face drop as the “camera panned towards the row of 15 more cannons that still have yet to be broken down” before changing POV. Great stuff, Campaign: Skyjacks is 100% worth a listen!
I started DM’ing around 1980, and honestly haven’t done any since THAC0 was a thing, but I’m considering getting back to it and this content is really helpful. I like the thoughtful and methodical approach and to some very key topics. You’re not only reminding me of things I haven’t thought about in years you’re teaching me some great new ideas and making me want to DM again. Thanks! Keep up the great work.
"Stop to smell the flowers" is a fantastic takeaway itself. Although my players tend to roleplay a little too much (like a combined half of the session is in-character role-playing), it's usually serious, on-topic stuff. It's always nice to have fun little times to stop, prompt, and let the characters be themselves. It makes for great character development, as it adds a ton of flavor- like you're getting to know someone. I can see how it also helps players "find" their character, for those who are still figuring out who they are trying to be/wanting to play as. I absolutely love that advice, along with "let the characters be". Roleplaying is about being someone after all, and sometimes you just "are" as something nonchalant is going on.
Another fantastic video! Though I think most of DMs are rendering scenes from time to time (like now I see I did it many times before), **doing this CONSCIOUSLY** can elevate the experience for me and my Players to a brand new level. Thank you and please don't stop publishing materials! 🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:00 *🎮 "Rendering" enhances immersion:* Borrowing from video games and art, rendering in TTRPGs involves gradually adding details to scenes to make them feel more vivid and three-dimensional. 00:54 *🎭 DMs set the tone for roleplay:* Players are more likely to roleplay if the DM demonstrates enthusiasm, uses silly voices, gestures, and fully embraces the roleplay experience first. 02:04 *🎨 "Mise-en-scène" in RPGs:* Use cinematic techniques like composition, set dressing, and lighting to establish scenes, starting with a basic sketch and adding detail as the scene progresses. 03:01 *🔍 Render details gradually:* Introduce details over time to engage players and maintain their focus, turning a generic tavern into a memorable and textured environment. 05:09 *🌧️ Engage multiple senses:* When narrating scenes, include sensory details like sight, sound, and even smell to deepen immersion and make the world more tangible. 06:05 *🎥 Scenes need "something"-but not always:* While impactful scenes often have purpose or change, interludes where characters simply exist and interact can deepen roleplay and player engagement. 07:12 *🌸 Create moments for character exploration:* Use breaks in action to let players explore their characters' personalities, morals, or relationships without advancing the plot. 08:21 *🏠 Details anchor player imagination:* Rendering favorite locations (like a tavern) with rich details makes them memorable and gives players a place they can return to and engage with more deeply. 09:01 *🛠️ Balance rendering with simplicity:* Save detailed rendering for significant or beloved scenes, while keeping others as simple sketches to avoid overwhelming the players. 09:14 *💡 Let players guide rendering:* If players take interest in a simple location, expand its details gradually to make it a cherished and evolving part of the world. Key moments of the video were made with HARPA AI
Fantastic advice. I'm really glad this channel decided to exist. This channel is really helping me revitalise my DM style, which I feel has gotten a bit stale and needs a swift kick up the rear. About the particular subject, descriptions are something I struggle with, but usually in the case of too much information. As in, I have noticed that players begin to hyperfixate on things with too much detail. I'm sat there thinking I've just described the scene very well, but now my players think there's more to learn here, when really I just wanted to set the stage. I gotta learn how to pick my moments better.
Lots of channels bring up how to do descriptions. This is just a nice simple way of framing how to do it from a different technical standpoint. Just having new ways to think about improving as a DM is just plain fun. Looking forward to future videos!
Three Dragon Ante has been a fun way for us to role-play with low stakes (and ease on the DM). They sell an actual set so you can play the game. I love roleplaying, so I'm so glad my DM introduced it (and has offered to bring it to the session I DM).
Im imagining renders layerd by player. The brute notices the tough guys, the druid notices birds inThe rafters, some feel the vibe. I love it. Depth through each players strengths or interests.
Excellent content and congrats on not just hitting the ground running. This is level 20 tabaxi monk step of the wind boots of speed hasted shenanigans.
It's also (IMHO) a good practice to ask your players if there's anything else they'd like to know more about. Depending on the table, that can be done directly GM to players, or you can frame it through characters. "What would you like to investigate more closely?" vs. "Is there anything Aran the Clever is giving a second glance?" Pay attention to the answers over several sessions, and you'll begin to get a feel for the type of detail the players what the world to have, and the level they want. Note that this will probably vary between players, so it's a balancing act. Superb video once again - succinct and informative, and easy to listen to. Thanks!
Wow - this is amazing, thank you! I've been searching for vocabulary to describe what I want to do as a DM and you've just completely nailed it. Also, that subtle background music is chef's kiss. Thank you!
Just discovered this channel and this video is so well produced! I’m a film buff and follow a bunch of high quality producers and this channel is right up there with them! The advice is fantastic and actionable for DMs. I love the film analogies too because I vibe with those. Keep up the wonderful work, the both of you!
I have immensely enjoyed all of your uploaded content! It’s useful as well as entertaining - which now makes me wish you had a live-play for us all to listen to… please keep up the amazing work!
Subd, excellent tips. I've been DMing for like 4 years now and love to render scenes, but sometimes you get caught up in the action that it helps to have these types of reminders to slow it down
Your production quality and the density and value of your advice sometimes makes me forget how relatively small and new your content is. I'm grateful I happened upon you so early in a journey that I have no doubts will take you wherever you want to go!
Like most of the others here, I was super excited when the algorithm sent me the first of your videos I watched, because I loved it. It instantly went on my "Favourite D&D Theory Videos" playlist, so I could come back to it later. So I decided to see what else you had and... a half dozen videos? That's it? It's not just the production value, either. I'm loving the *content*. A ton of it is really well thought-out, and I can tell that you've extensively studied some RPG-adjacent skill, or other. Couldn't tell you what it is. It obviously can't be film, or you'd've mentioned it, right? ;) Definitely looking forward to the next one!
Six years game dev and DM, but even still I'm learning so much from videos like these about how to engross your players in the world you are shaping together. Happy this channel is getting the insane traction it deserves so early in its life. Keep up the awesome content! :)
Top tier content! It felt like the D&D-discussion was already quite saturated with content, but this is very refreshing. Great insights (like Matt Colville) and wonderful setup. Keep it up! (Also, the comments by your gf in the background are a fun addition)
I've been gearing up to run my first campaign in many many years soon, so you couldn't have started posting at a better time!! amazing stuff, it's so helpful
Your videos are absolutely fantastic. I can’t tell you how excited I am to get in near the ground level and see what sort of videos you have in the pipeline!
Great video, just subscribed after watching your combat video as well. Not much to add, besides the fact that you have a WONDERFUL voice for videos and your players probably enjoy the hell out of it when you're talking as the deeply voiced BBEG
I've just started studying electronics and I met a lot of people with a mutual interest in D&D so I gathered a group and began a campaign with them. Using your tips and tricks of the recent videos, I managed to improve my game tenfold and I hooked them so much that they want to add a second session per week. It's been great and much thanks to you. :)
Oooh I've been loving your channel so far! Because of your videos I'm running my game in a completely different way and me and my players are super stoked! I'm so excited for this vid. Edit: I just finished the vid. Thanks for the great ideas! I love how you draw on film and other storytelling techniques to enhance the game. I'm going to try and render the scene for my next game when my players go to their patron's manor. I really like the concept of sketches. It provides something interesting to the players but also doesn't require me to fully commit and spend tons of time fleshing out things that my players may not want to interact with. Thanks!
Starting my first campaign (as a DM) shortly and have to say you’ve enlightened me as to what a DM should be, that is to say what kind of DM I should be for my players. Thank you for these videos, they help a lot ❤ Also ég sé ykkur Daði og Anna ;)
This was an excellent video with some great pointers! I will definitely be keeping these in mind in future. Also those orks and gobbos at 1:25 were very nicely painted, they could do with some nicer bases though, in my opinion 😅
The problem with that advice is that not everyone can come up with this kind of descriptions, even given the prep time (forget on the fly) Some people are just bad at words or lack visual imagination.
The tipping scene with Mr Pink reminded me of a similar situation in my campaign. That being it served no purpose except to enhance the characters. It’s a dark and serious campaign and all of the players were thrust into a terrible situation. They don’t trust each other and are trying not to freeze to death. Everyone shoves into a tiny cave with a tiny fire barely big enough for anyone to move. While they wait out the storm the alchemist and druid somehow get into an argument about the difference between science and magic. The Druid was convinced it was just magic with extra steps. Of course the entire group gets wrapped up in this discussion. It did nothing for the plot, but it made for a fantastic scene.
The tipping scene in Reservoir Dogs does do one key thing: it foreshadows the later reveal of Mr. Orange as the snitch. Immediately after Joe Cabot asks who didn't contribute to the tip, Mr. Orange snitches saying "Mr. Pink"
I've been DMing for almost 5 years now and it was starting to feel a little like a drag, but hearing some of the advice from your channel, and thinking of how to apply it in my game, has me excited again for telling a fun story with my friends week to week.
I'm preparing for a 2 person campaign in the new year. I've DM'd off and on for about 20 years. I've never thought of building a scene in the way you've described. Most often, I've thought of painting a picture and hoped my party would put in the highlights themselves. There was always something missing. I think this might have been it. Thank you again for a fantastic video.
Really great content. I think this also underscores the importance of a Session Zero and onboarding of new players after the start. I'm a big fan of setting expectations before people invest time and energy in a campaign and letting potential new players experience a session as an observer to see if the table vibe is right for them.
Hey, fam! This is some sweet advice. You really build the ambience when you add details along the way. I knew I was right to sub to you early. Subbing to dope new channels has become one of my favourite parts of using TH-cam. Thanks for the advice!
incredible work!! all of y'all's videos so far have been fantastic! one small thing i'd love to see sometime down the line, which shouldn't be too tough to implement with your average video length and scripted format, is accurate subtitles!! TH-cam's auto-generated captions leave a lot to be desired, especially when discussing fantasy and TTRPG content from what i've seen
I would argue that the tip scene in Reservoir Dogs is about something, it's about introducing the characters (and subtly setup who's a snitch in the group which payoff later) as well as being entertaining
hey! So cool to get to know you, the materials are great and approachable. Btw i was also in a film school and working as a game developer ^^ Good luck in the future!
I definitely sketch more than I render during sessions, and that might be why there's often awkward silence. I'll probably think about this video every time I DM from now on tbh.
We do learn something from the tipping scene in Resevoir Dogs... (spoiler) We learn that Mr. Orange is a rat -- Pink doesn't tip, the boss (who didn't hear the tipping rant) demands to know who didn't tip, Orange rats Pink out. It is deeply connected to the rest of the film. Brilliant vid overall tho!
damn i got to this one early! love your videos and i dont even dm, also love that you have a very captivating way of speaking, like you manage to get a hold of the audience's attention and never let go of it, keep up the good work (also, im sending this to my dm)
Your "a scene is sometimes just a scene" reminds me of Scott McCloud's "Aspect-to-Aspect" transitions, used in comics to build atmosphere. I actually think you can apply his different types of transitions really well to rpgs. And they're probably done in film under different names as well ;)
One of the best presented essays I have ever seen on TH-cam. To the point. Serious where it needs to be and light hearted otherwise without drifting unnecessarily for a cheap gag. The information is digestible and realistically attainable.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
This guy comes out of nowhere and starts youtubing like a boss 😂
No kidding.
legit, the video quality is like a veteran with several hundred thousand subs
It's almost like he's a professional writer and director, lol.
Fr
Right? I watched a couple of his videos the other week, then got excited to watch his backlog. Turns out it was only his second or third vid - basically no backlog! Blew my damn mind that he slammed it out of the park immediately on his channel!
I'm confused as fuck. This guy came out of nowhere and is dropping straight fucking heat,if you're making stuff like this you can straight up confirm that the video is gonna have 1 view with full retention time from my account cause you're popping off rn
@@dontoro1756 Wow. I just found this channel a few weeks ago, and just assumed he’d been around for a while. Absolute fire content.
The channel deserves all the praise it's getting. Outstanding polish and insight.
It's such an uncommon thing to see anyone talking about how to be a DM through analyzing and teaching Structure and Fundamentals, the 'Science' of Art. Your video on how to construct an adventure using the same or similar procedure that professionals use is such a nice change. Even the most experienced youtubers just tell people "yeah it's an art form just wing it, you'll get it eventually" or "today on episode 392, another disorganized 40 minute long rant" (don't get me wrong, I love these guys but it's the 'video game facts to fall asleep to' of the D&D world).
This is good, actionable advice that I will definitely be passing along to others.
This has quickly become one of my favorite channels for DM tips. I like how you give really detailed, easy-to-follow, well-structured instructions, all while zooming way in on what *should* be the focus of your efforts. Fantastic stuff.
Well I don't tip
This is genuinely just also great general writing advice. Like literally, that method of moving through the scene and rendering out in greater detail only what has the "camera's" attention at any given moment, without the thing in focus coming completely out of nowhere, being at least set up in a roughly sketched out form beforehand; that's something I was just doing off of intuition until now, not with the safety of a systematic structure behind it.
Man, I feel like the density of quality advice in this video is very rich. I listened to it once, then listened to it again and I feel like it was a completely different set of information.. my mind latched onto different things each time!
I’ve been watching DM advice videos for years, and yours ranks right up there with veterans like Seth Skorkowsky and Matt Colville. I like how your background, film, informs the sort of advice you give.
I'd never thought about setting a scenario up like a movie scene before! Makes it so much easier, thanks
That's so wild, I can't think of another way to do it. Even though I play in other games and the GMs there don't think in movies, they think like authors or gamers. There's a million ways to play this game, and we're all always learning!
@@Mystic-Arts-DM With you pointing it out, I can see now how film writing, distinct from other types of writing like games and books, can help GMs. It's a form of story that usually must communicate to the audience what they're supposed to feel by merely portraying outside actions, and they usually have to do with an economy of time and words. A novel can be narrated by a protagonist's inner thoughts, but the GM is not the protagonist, they don't have a direct say in what the audience feels, they can only portray 'reality' and hope the audience reacts in an intended way. I'd contend that the tipping scene does have relevence to the rest of the movie, by helping to colour in these characters; nobody needs to come out and say that Mr. Pink is a greedy jerk who only cares about himself, the point is made when he says just three words, "I don't tip". He's revealed what kind of person he is like, and when he acts in certain ways in the rest of the movie, it makes sense to the audience. Similarly, the GM doesn't just tell the party that the people in the tavern don't want them there, they simply have the barkeep and customers act cold and abrasive, and the party comes to their own conclusions.
We are so back. Best new channel on TH-cam.
I recently regained my spark for DMing and the way you use film language to describe DM actions is something I enjoy a lot. I actually compliment my DM when they describe/render a scene really well, I'll say stuff like "ooh the budget this session is high" or something like that. when i begin DMing again I will make a note behind my screen to remind me to know when to leave a sketch a sketch and when to render properly.
This has been a huge help for me. I'm a dnd veteran but 1st time DM. I tend to info-dump because I get excited going through the process of the PCs discovering things and none of them have any previous experience with dnd.
Thank you for your insight.
As someone with aphantasia, this doesn't come naturally for me. Having this kind of framework is very helpful. Thank you!
A friend of mine who DMs for us also has aphantasia, and he's rockin' it. His descriptions rely more on the dialogue, the fantasy elements, the story, and when he introduced NPCs he shows us art he's sourced earlier. We really love his games. I bet your players love yours! Good luck!
You are filling the dnd void that MCDM left in my life lol
Felt.
It's insane how good your videos are. Concise, but packed with information. GOOD information: you're putting the perfect amount of elaboration into each concept you introduce. You also have a really good speaking voice, for what it's worth.
As someone who embraced the ways of the lazy DM this past year (DMing for longer, but specifically picked up Michael Shea's stuff last Christmas), your videos are a perfect format. Not too short, not too long, and very well organized. Particularly a big fan of your video covering the 5-Room "Dungeon". Easy subscribe, and major kudos!
Thanks so much!
I honestly don't know where I'd be without your videos, I'd most certainly would not be 20+ hours in world building and prepping my campaign. I've been putting it off for about 2 years now always finding excuses on why not to do it and not feeling ready but you are really just giving me all the tools I need to feel confident about what I'm doing so THANK YOU!
That's great news! Now run the game! Get your friends over and start, you've got everything you need!
So much of DMing, especially at the beginning is wild experimentation and attempting to mimic what you've seen work before without the understanding of why it works or doesn't work.
Having someone explain some of the underlying structures and the 'why' of it all is fantastic. Please keep it up, you two are amazing.
Love this advice! You don't have to dump every detail on the players the moment they walk onto a location - and not all locations need a lot of detail. Adding layers a bit at a time is just good storytelling.
i can listen this elegant guy speaking about every topic for hours, thanks man
First video of yours I've seen as I prepare for my first two full campaigns as DM.... One of the best written/thought out/well-spoken/genuinely helpful videos I've seen on how to DM
I REALLY liked how you described it as taking multiple passes at it that somehow really clicked for me.
I loved these tips! Some of my favorite examples of this kind of scene-setting is from an actual play called Campaign: Skyjacks. They’re all professional improv comedians so they really nail the details. Often the DM will ask the players themselves what they see in a new setting. Say they walk into an Inn that used to be a pirate ship. The DM tells them that much, explains the mood of the place as jovial, and then asks “what do you all see?”. Then a player says that the keys for the rooms are kept on the spokes of the ship’s old steering wheel, and the tables are just wooden circles attached to the top of old cannons.
The players also describe the scene in terms of a movie. One PC once had to spend a lot of effort to decommission a cannon on a massive ship, and once he had done it he described watching the character’s face drop as the “camera panned towards the row of 15 more cannons that still have yet to be broken down” before changing POV. Great stuff, Campaign: Skyjacks is 100% worth a listen!
I started DM’ing around 1980, and honestly haven’t done any since THAC0 was a thing, but I’m considering getting back to it and this content is really helpful. I like the thoughtful and methodical approach and to some very key topics. You’re not only reminding me of things I haven’t thought about in years you’re teaching me some great new ideas and making me want to DM again. Thanks! Keep up the great work.
Fantastic advice. I thought I had this down. But I learned something here myself. So thank you.
Just found this channel. Absolutely amazing, subscribed, and will be watching all past vids. Keep up the great work!
Welcome aboard! 🫡
"Stop to smell the flowers" is a fantastic takeaway itself. Although my players tend to roleplay a little too much (like a combined half of the session is in-character role-playing), it's usually serious, on-topic stuff. It's always nice to have fun little times to stop, prompt, and let the characters be themselves. It makes for great character development, as it adds a ton of flavor- like you're getting to know someone. I can see how it also helps players "find" their character, for those who are still figuring out who they are trying to be/wanting to play as.
I absolutely love that advice, along with "let the characters be". Roleplaying is about being someone after all, and sometimes you just "are" as something nonchalant is going on.
Another fantastic video! Though I think most of DMs are rendering scenes from time to time (like now I see I did it many times before), **doing this CONSCIOUSLY** can elevate the experience for me and my Players to a brand new level. Thank you and please don't stop publishing materials!
🎯 Key points for quick navigation:
00:00 *🎮 "Rendering" enhances immersion:* Borrowing from video games and art, rendering in TTRPGs involves gradually adding details to scenes to make them feel more vivid and three-dimensional.
00:54 *🎭 DMs set the tone for roleplay:* Players are more likely to roleplay if the DM demonstrates enthusiasm, uses silly voices, gestures, and fully embraces the roleplay experience first.
02:04 *🎨 "Mise-en-scène" in RPGs:* Use cinematic techniques like composition, set dressing, and lighting to establish scenes, starting with a basic sketch and adding detail as the scene progresses.
03:01 *🔍 Render details gradually:* Introduce details over time to engage players and maintain their focus, turning a generic tavern into a memorable and textured environment.
05:09 *🌧️ Engage multiple senses:* When narrating scenes, include sensory details like sight, sound, and even smell to deepen immersion and make the world more tangible.
06:05 *🎥 Scenes need "something"-but not always:* While impactful scenes often have purpose or change, interludes where characters simply exist and interact can deepen roleplay and player engagement.
07:12 *🌸 Create moments for character exploration:* Use breaks in action to let players explore their characters' personalities, morals, or relationships without advancing the plot.
08:21 *🏠 Details anchor player imagination:* Rendering favorite locations (like a tavern) with rich details makes them memorable and gives players a place they can return to and engage with more deeply.
09:01 *🛠️ Balance rendering with simplicity:* Save detailed rendering for significant or beloved scenes, while keeping others as simple sketches to avoid overwhelming the players.
09:14 *💡 Let players guide rendering:* If players take interest in a simple location, expand its details gradually to make it a cherished and evolving part of the world.
Key moments of the video were made with HARPA AI
I'm learning so much from these videos. I'm an engineer by trade, so the artistic stuff isn't something I've ever studied.
Fantastic advice. I'm really glad this channel decided to exist. This channel is really helping me revitalise my DM style, which I feel has gotten a bit stale and needs a swift kick up the rear.
About the particular subject, descriptions are something I struggle with, but usually in the case of too much information. As in, I have noticed that players begin to hyperfixate on things with too much detail. I'm sat there thinking I've just described the scene very well, but now my players think there's more to learn here, when really I just wanted to set the stage. I gotta learn how to pick my moments better.
Lots of channels bring up how to do descriptions.
This is just a nice simple way of framing how to do it from a different technical standpoint. Just having new ways to think about improving as a DM is just plain fun. Looking forward to future videos!
Three Dragon Ante has been a fun way for us to role-play with low stakes (and ease on the DM). They sell an actual set so you can play the game. I love roleplaying, so I'm so glad my DM introduced it (and has offered to bring it to the session I DM).
i hope you continue to take off, good work.
Im imagining renders layerd by player. The brute notices the tough guys, the druid notices birds inThe rafters, some feel the vibe. I love it. Depth through each players strengths or interests.
Excellent content and congrats on not just hitting the ground running. This is level 20 tabaxi monk step of the wind boots of speed hasted shenanigans.
Absolutely loving this channel 💜
Another home run of a video. Excellent advice and well presented!
It's also (IMHO) a good practice to ask your players if there's anything else they'd like to know more about. Depending on the table, that can be done directly GM to players, or you can frame it through characters. "What would you like to investigate more closely?" vs. "Is there anything Aran the Clever is giving a second glance?"
Pay attention to the answers over several sessions, and you'll begin to get a feel for the type of detail the players what the world to have, and the level they want. Note that this will probably vary between players, so it's a balancing act.
Superb video once again - succinct and informative, and easy to listen to. Thanks!
Wow - this is amazing, thank you! I've been searching for vocabulary to describe what I want to do as a DM and you've just completely nailed it. Also, that subtle background music is chef's kiss. Thank you!
Great advice! I tend to stop describing after entering a location so this is a great reminder.
Another one for the "essential DM advice" playlist
Seriously impressed with your work. Thank you for sharing your experience with us
Just discovered this channel and this video is so well produced! I’m a film buff and follow a bunch of high quality producers and this channel is right up there with them!
The advice is fantastic and actionable for DMs. I love the film analogies too because I vibe with those. Keep up the wonderful work, the both of you!
I have immensely enjoyed all of your uploaded content! It’s useful as well as entertaining - which now makes me wish you had a live-play for us all to listen to… please keep up the amazing work!
There hasn't been good DM advice like this since Mercer or Colville. That's without even getting into the quality of production here. Keep going!
Man, this second-hand filmschool experience is really coming alive in my eyes. I'm being Mis-en-Scene'd in real life?
Subd, excellent tips. I've been DMing for like 4 years now and love to render scenes, but sometimes you get caught up in the action that it helps to have these types of reminders to slow it down
Always some good content here 10/10 need this in my life
Your production quality and the density and value of your advice sometimes makes me forget how relatively small and new your content is. I'm grateful I happened upon you so early in a journey that I have no doubts will take you wherever you want to go!
Like most of the others here, I was super excited when the algorithm sent me the first of your videos I watched, because I loved it. It instantly went on my "Favourite D&D Theory Videos" playlist, so I could come back to it later. So I decided to see what else you had and... a half dozen videos? That's it?
It's not just the production value, either. I'm loving the *content*. A ton of it is really well thought-out, and I can tell that you've extensively studied some RPG-adjacent skill, or other. Couldn't tell you what it is. It obviously can't be film, or you'd've mentioned it, right? ;)
Definitely looking forward to the next one!
Six years game dev and DM, but even still I'm learning so much from videos like these about how to engross your players in the world you are shaping together. Happy this channel is getting the insane traction it deserves so early in its life. Keep up the awesome content! :)
Top tier content! It felt like the D&D-discussion was already quite saturated with content, but this is very refreshing. Great insights (like Matt Colville) and wonderful setup. Keep it up!
(Also, the comments by your gf in the background are a fun addition)
She's gotta get her say in!
One of the best dnd channels to appear in youtube. Keep doing what you're doing :)
Yes, sir!
Good stuff! Thanks for the insightful DM advice.
Its so cool that im here since beginning!!
With a DnD Channel teaching actual practical things, i already improved my DnD with your help. Thank you!
I've been gearing up to run my first campaign in many many years soon, so you couldn't have started posting at a better time!! amazing stuff, it's so helpful
Nice work, been DMing on and off since the mid 80's and this is all solid advice.
Been watching this on repeat as I prep my session tonight - hoping I can absorb it by osmosis. So good. So timely.
Keep it up dude, you're killing it! (no death saves)
Your videos are absolutely fantastic. I can’t tell you how excited I am to get in near the ground level and see what sort of videos you have in the pipeline!
Great video, just subscribed after watching your combat video as well.
Not much to add, besides the fact that you have a WONDERFUL voice for videos and your players probably enjoy the hell out of it when you're talking as the deeply voiced BBEG
Matt Colville's "Running the Game" series boutta have some competition!
That guy is the GOAT, though!
I've just started studying electronics and I met a lot of people with a mutual interest in D&D so I gathered a group and began a campaign with them. Using your tips and tricks of the recent videos, I managed to improve my game tenfold and I hooked them so much that they want to add a second session per week. It's been great and much thanks to you. :)
Double the D&D!? Now that's why we're doing this! Great work and keep it up!
I was definitely not expecting to get flashbanged with an old Nickelodeon commercial today, but here we are.
Excellent work.
Oooh I've been loving your channel so far! Because of your videos I'm running my game in a completely different way and me and my players are super stoked! I'm so excited for this vid.
Edit: I just finished the vid. Thanks for the great ideas! I love how you draw on film and other storytelling techniques to enhance the game. I'm going to try and render the scene for my next game when my players go to their patron's manor.
I really like the concept of sketches. It provides something interesting to the players but also doesn't require me to fully commit and spend tons of time fleshing out things that my players may not want to interact with.
Thanks!
That's fantastic news! We're doing this for you folks!
Starting my first campaign (as a DM) shortly and have to say you’ve enlightened me as to what a DM should be, that is to say what kind of DM I should be for my players. Thank you for these videos, they help a lot ❤
Also ég sé ykkur Daði og Anna ;)
Hahah, takk fyrir að horfa!
Dude excellent. The change of lighting when you give mini examples.
Awesome work, creators like you remind me of the limitless artistic value in RPGs; there's always more to discuss and discover
This was an excellent video with some great pointers! I will definitely be keeping these in mind in future.
Also those orks and gobbos at 1:25 were very nicely painted, they could do with some nicer bases though, in my opinion 😅
I feel like I need to say to anybody seeing this comment that OP here is the one responsible for these beautiful minis!
You two are a rocking duo! So much inspiration and very useful advice coming from you guys :)
Instant sub. I love early TH-cam channels. It’s like pre-google TH-cam. Sometimes it’s the best content. Well done and thanks.
The problem with that advice is that not everyone can come up with this kind of descriptions, even given the prep time (forget on the fly)
Some people are just bad at words or lack visual imagination.
The tipping scene with Mr Pink reminded me of a similar situation in my campaign. That being it served no purpose except to enhance the characters. It’s a dark and serious campaign and all of the players were thrust into a terrible situation. They don’t trust each other and are trying not to freeze to death. Everyone shoves into a tiny cave with a tiny fire barely big enough for anyone to move. While they wait out the storm the alchemist and druid somehow get into an argument about the difference between science and magic. The Druid was convinced it was just magic with extra steps. Of course the entire group gets wrapped up in this discussion. It did nothing for the plot, but it made for a fantastic scene.
It is honestly bananas that this guy just showed up and became the best content creator for DND instantly
I'm getting back into dm'ing and your videos are so helpful. A lot has happened since I started roleplaying RPGs in the 80ies.
Best of luck!
I'll be watching for more! And rewatching this video, in the meantime. Thx!
Another great video, loving all the practical gaming advice.
The tipping scene in Reservoir Dogs does do one key thing: it foreshadows the later reveal of Mr. Orange as the snitch. Immediately after Joe Cabot asks who didn't contribute to the tip, Mr. Orange snitches saying "Mr. Pink"
Love these. You are doing amazing. Both of you
Thanks so much!
I've been DMing for almost 5 years now and it was starting to feel a little like a drag, but hearing some of the advice from your channel, and thinking of how to apply it in my game, has me excited again for telling a fun story with my friends week to week.
I just found your channel and I am blown away. Great stuff! Keep up the good work!
This is such a great channel. Wish it existed when I was actively dming.
Looking forward to the next one!
You can always start up again! Let this be your excuse :p
I'm preparing for a 2 person campaign in the new year. I've DM'd off and on for about 20 years. I've never thought of building a scene in the way you've described. Most often, I've thought of painting a picture and hoped my party would put in the highlights themselves. There was always something missing. I think this might have been it.
Thank you again for a fantastic video.
Another great video, keep them coming!
I don't know what was said in the video but the buttery smooth voice has rendered me in a state of mild ASMRy euphoria.
Really great content. I think this also underscores the importance of a Session Zero and onboarding of new players after the start. I'm a big fan of setting expectations before people invest time and energy in a campaign and letting potential new players experience a session as an observer to see if the table vibe is right for them.
Hey, fam! This is some sweet advice. You really build the ambience when you add details along the way.
I knew I was right to sub to you early. Subbing to dope new channels has become one of my favourite parts of using TH-cam.
Thanks for the advice!
I looove videos that have tips like the first one, it can be so easy to never hear such simple but important advice!!!
Man, thanks for this video, it's just spectacularly well thought out. I genuinely think this video alone is going to make me a better DM in general!
Amazing info, this will help a lot in my next campaign.
incredible work!! all of y'all's videos so far have been fantastic! one small thing i'd love to see sometime down the line, which shouldn't be too tough to implement with your average video length and scripted format, is accurate subtitles!! TH-cam's auto-generated captions leave a lot to be desired, especially when discussing fantasy and TTRPG content from what i've seen
I would argue that the tip scene in Reservoir Dogs is about something, it's about introducing the characters (and subtly setup who's a snitch in the group which payoff later) as well as being entertaining
hey! So cool to get to know you, the materials are great and approachable. Btw i was also in a film school and working as a game developer ^^ Good luck in the future!
I definitely sketch more than I render during sessions, and that might be why there's often awkward silence. I'll probably think about this video every time I DM from now on tbh.
Legit. You've got a new subscriber.
Welcome aboard! 🫡
We do learn something from the tipping scene in Resevoir Dogs... (spoiler)
We learn that Mr. Orange is a rat -- Pink doesn't tip, the boss (who didn't hear the tipping rant) demands to know who didn't tip, Orange rats Pink out. It is deeply connected to the rest of the film.
Brilliant vid overall tho!
damn i got to this one early!
love your videos and i dont even dm, also love that you have a very captivating way of speaking, like you manage to get a hold of the audience's attention and never let go of it, keep up the good work
(also, im sending this to my dm)
Maybe there's a video to be made about speech patterns? 🤔
Top tier advice! Gonna try this out next session!!!!
As a Frenchman, I apologize
Also, great video
I forgive you.
Thanks, algorithm, for putting this in front of my eyes!
Thanks, Mystic DM, for making this vid!
Your "a scene is sometimes just a scene" reminds me of Scott McCloud's "Aspect-to-Aspect" transitions, used in comics to build atmosphere. I actually think you can apply his different types of transitions really well to rpgs. And they're probably done in film under different names as well ;)
My dad's a big design nerd so I grew up reading Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics." Fun to see you mention his work - - - Anna Birna