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The Watcher video (Patreon)

Published:
2022-12-10 16:11:16
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Hello Patreon, 

here is a trial video we made for our episode titled 657 Boulevard.  The idea behind the making of these videos will be to release them on Youtube. 

However, we want to release this trial video on Patreon first, to gauge your comments. This is in no way designed to replicate TV, and it is designed purely for Youtube.

We are after your honest feedback here and what you tell us will help us decide if we explore this idea further or not. Thank you, the Casefile team.

P.S. Please don't share it outside Patreon.

Files

The Watcher - A True Crime Story

Hello Patreon, Here is a trial video we made for our episode titled 657 Boulevard. The idea behind making these videos will be to release them on Youtube. However, we want to release this trial video on Patreon first to gauge your comments. This is in no way designed to replicate TV. It is designed purely for YouTube. We are after your honest feedback here and what you tell us will help us decide if we explore this idea further or not. Thank you, the Casefile team P.S. Please don't share it outside Patreon

Comments

Gay Barrie

I am not a fan unfortunately. I love listening to casefiles. The narrator’s voice is soothing and the stories are very easy to listen to. One of the best things about the popcast is that you can listen whilst driving, doing chores & in bed relaxing. I have fallen asleep towards the end of an episode. cos it is relaxing. One of the other benefits of this is that you can set the popcast to turn off after an episode. I prefer to listen to the popcast rather than watch more stuff on YouTube. It’s still my favorite popcast! 👍😊

Roy

I would do it, your youtube isn't gaining a huge amount of traction, mostly because I would assume most youtube people don't want to listen to audio only. This way I can still listen to the episode if I want to, but those who don't like that can also get something to entertain them visually.

Patrick

What an awesome idea! Another podcast I love does something like this and it really adds to the experience. Can't wait to watch this tonight.

TheodoraTheExplorer

First thought that comes to mind is that this may reach a different audience. I personally will stick with the podcast because I listen on my phone, usually during my morning commute. Youtube stops playing when I lock my phone screen, so it's inconvenient for on-the-go listeners. So my vote is "why not, but not for me". Enjoy the winter holidays Casefile team!

Leah Budd

Honestly I can take it or leave it either way 🤷. Not that it was done poorly but because I personally like being able to listen only and use my own imagination to visualize. But that's just my opinion

Mark Daniel Cross

Regarding the identity of "The Watcher": since a DNA profile was extracted from one of the letters, why don't the Westfield Police utilize the services of an investigative genetic genealogist, or do it themselves, to find the identity of this person? Hundreds of unsolved cases have now been resolved with this technique - upload the DNA profile from The Watcher's letter to GEDmatch, and start building the family trees out to find the identity of this person. It is THE WATCHER who should feel anxious and nervous now, looking over her shoulder at all times. The Watcher did real harm to the Broaddus family, and should be identified, prosecuted, and convicted.

TBUK

Love it

Taryn-Lee Biggar

Spot on for a visual audience, being YouTube. Professionally done, I particularly like the interspersed text narration as subtitles. It is added production effort, I imagine more work for the team and personally, I find it's the audio aspect for me that tops the visual even when consuming YouTube channels and media. I chose YouTube premium for this feature, that if the phone locks I'm still tuned in for the audio and not really paying attention to the video unless it's specifically a tutorial. Useful to continue doing chores and admin whilst still getting the content, for those on the go who can't tune in to the video component. You should do a Polly on this like how we vote for the Patreon picks

Keaner

Hi Casefile. I’m afraid I stopped watching quite quickly. Way too much flickering and the cuts were jumpy and jarring. Then came ‘show and tell’ with literal action shots. Both pet peeves of mine unfortunately. Maybe a slower and simpler approach to visuals (also less labour intensive)? I will continue to be a loyal podcast listener.

Vanessa

I don’t usually watch a whole lot of YouTube but I think this is a great way to reach further audience. I think it looks really good in terms of production, and given the timing of the Netflix series and such I think the watcher is a great one to post first to test the audience. You guys have grown so much since you started, and improved in many ways as you went along, so I would post it asap so you can make changes for the next one as necessary.

TammyC

I listen to podcasts when I am doing chores, etc so for me, I would probably just listen to them and not watch. I personally don't think it adds that much value to the narration. Casefile is a podcast first and foremost!

A

I LOVE the idea of video content as well! My feedback points would be: - The white flickering between shots is really distracting. I personally prefer content with a bit slower pace/ editing style. - I saw a comment here about subtitles for the videos instead of the in-screen sentences. I think it would give the video a bit more “flow”. - I LOVE the intro-video with the Casefile music, it looked so good! - I also really like the scenes where parts of the letters or newspaper were highlighted! - The visuals were really well chosen and looked awesome!! Really great work, it feels super high quality!

A

Hi Patrick! Would you mind sharing the name of the other podcast? I’m intrigued!

Patrick

It's called Swindled. It's not true crime, but generally covers the worst of greed and its horrific consequences on people and the planet.

Federica Carr

So I am not sure... about this one. What I like: - the graphics (agree on using subtitles as opposed to on screen text as it's better usability) - the idea of 'visualising' a specific episode Not Convinced by: - the pace isn't right for a visual format in my view. LOVE Casefile, I am obsessed but the experience is completely different when you're just listening. it's you and Casey - on a video format, you sort of expect more, maybe other voices / carachters / faces etc - the video shots are very wellmade - well done - BUT I find myself unsure if I am watching a fiction like the Netflix series OR a true crime reconstruction podcast? -- thinking out loud --- Could youtube be a channel for teasers/ intro to the podcast to grab prospect audience andhook them onto the actual podcast? Eg a shorter/ punchier video intro summarising the podcast but send people over to the actual series. in any case I love Love Love Love your work and appreciate you sharing this with us and asking for our input

Heather

I enjoy listening while gardening or doing housework so to sit and watch the screen is only encouraging me to put more weight on- which I don’t need! Plus I concentrate more on the details when I’m not being distracted by terrible acting. However, I will still encourage the team to pursue any project that allows the podcast to keep running. I’m obsessed with this show!

Lauren Smith

I love Casefile. It's great the team is experimenting with visual media. Two comments: 1. I suffer from migraines and am sensitive to flashing lights. The white flashes in between cuts was really hard for me to handle, and I had to stop watching a couple of minutes in 2. You did a great job mixing actual photos of the house with more generic shots for illustration. That said, you should feel free to slow down the pacing between cuts, let the video linger longer, and don't pressure yourself to illustrate every action (like a hand balling up paper in a wastebasket). Good luck on branching out to this new format!

Kathryn

I agree it cuts away too quickly. It somewhat distracts from the story and feels like you are watching it at 1.5x-2x speed. Much like others have said I like the podcast format. I don’t typically watch things on YouTube. I think if the pace of the visuals was slowed down and there were less jarring transitions people who like YouTube would enjoy it.

Sally Lettieri

I really liked this! I usually google to see what the people and places looked like, but this put it all together visually. I love having the option to watch or just listen depending on what I'm doing at the time. Watching stops my mind from wandering too. Great job Casefile! I also like Swindled podcast as was mentioned earlier. He does a similar thing with some of his episodes on YouTube.

Deborah M McCormick

As an avid Casefile podcast listener I probably would not tune in to the YouTube video - the reenactments don't really add to the storytelling for me. One thing I did think was useful was the map and neighborhood clips that provide more context. I'd bet that you'll get many new listeners/watchers if this goes to YouTube and word spreads of this excellent podcast. Good luck with your endeavors.

Melanie Sanders

I can see and appreciate the work that went into this production. That said, as a person who teaches media studies, there are a few issues I would caution my students against: Never put words onto the screen that the narrator is also saying - the average viewer defaults to reading and the voiceover is then redundant and ignored.

Melanie Sanders

Also, graphics are repeated entirely too often. We understand this is a Casefile production so there is no need to repeatedly flash the logo in the background. The re-enactments with actors are also not enhancing the production value as when listeners hear details in the narration, they create these scenes mentally automatically.

Melanie Sanders

Let me be clear that I love the podcast, I think your team is one of the hardest working out there, and I appreciate that Casefile continues to innovate. These YouTube videos are not something that will meet my needs, (I'm not a YouTube watcher) but I certainly respect the desire to try new things and I genuinely appreciate your request for feedback.

Paul Slater

I'm probably just saying stuff that was already said, but this felt really over produced - annoying transitions and overly active graphics on the screen. I was confused by the change from listening to reading random parts as though you had no vision for it so you just put up what casey was saying. It felt like you were using "stock footage" that matched what he was saying at the time, but it had no relation to the case as it was a different letter box or not the house etc. I do love the idea of real footage being used, as in showing the location, the maps etc. To be honest you are probably going to have a hard time working footage with the podcast, since it's written in a way that doesn't need footage, and he talks nice and slowly, which works for podcasts but not so much for videos. I would be much less likely to watch something like this over listening to the podcast. Cheers, good luck with it!

Tessa

I love the idea - I’m a big YouTube fan and I watch a lot of true crime YouTube content. However, the production felt a little amateur. I also feel like the pace Casey speaks these days is a little too slow for YouTube. I personally prefer his original pace (eg around episodes 50-100) and it would be better suited for YouTube too.

Craig H

When presenting a case, the Casefile team does such an excellent job with writing, delivery, and narration. Each podcast seems better than the last. This YouTube video, I feel, does not do justice to the teams’ talent. I understand the attempt here; however, if you’re going to dip your toe in the deep end, you better dive in. Having stock images, cheesy non-original typewriting texts, and doing a half attempt of the era is well below the ability of the Casefile team - compared to their excellent podcast. Love the idea and appreciate the request for feedback. - don’t force it - less stock photos (or what appears to be) - true/actual photos of the crime being discussed -

Linda Jackson

Having watched the video I will continue listening rather than watching. I do not want a dramatisation of the crimes portrayed in the podcast or even added pictures or text. I do want the customary excellence that is the podcast. To me the video added nothing at all and I could have carried on with my normal activities whilst listening rather than pausing the activities and watching the video.

Hannah Mills

Would it be possible to include photos, maps or other graphics that are from the actual case (like the ones you post on Instagram?) The stock videos felt cheesy and made me take the episode less seriously. I am a massive fan of the podcast and you put out incredible work. Would love to see this move forward but with some more serious, less flashy/ cheesy edits

Lara Dvorak

I read the existing comments and I agree with what was already commented. I greatly appreciate the value that is placed on our feedback. I’ve been listening to Casefiles for over 3 years now. I love that you are trying to innovate, however one of the reasons I love the Casefiles podcast is because I can put my headphones in my ear and my phone in my pocket and continue with household chores. You can’t do that with YouTube. If you minimize the screen, the steaming pauses. I feel that the team did a good job, and I did love having maps and a visual of exactly where the story took place. Especially as a listener in the States. Often times I struggle to envision an Aussie setting as I only know what I see in movies and shows. If it were me, I’d maybe omit the actors and instead use slides of still shots pertaining to the case, graphics of the maps, court documents, etc. The re-enactments don’t make the story better, but rather makes it feel cheap. I do hope this is being helpful, the last thing I want is to offend because I hold the Casefiles team in such high regard. I think it’s a cool idea, the team gave a great effort; but it’s feels like a step towards all the other re-enactment shows out there and a step away from what makes Casefiles so incredibly unique and appreciated. Keep trying to innovate though! No matter what y’all try next, your fans will appreciate your hard work! Thank you!

Snowiewolf

I don’t like it. I was just thinking the other day how I appreciate the fact that this podcast has retained its original format, music, and script type since the beginning. I really like the podcast as a podcast. I don’t think this type of YouTube video is necessary at all. So many things out there that are around for a long time seem to think they need to change things up to keep it going strong. I think people like to have things stay the same. So they know what to expect. For me, I like to know that I will hear Casey’s voice, the intro music and the narration.

Theresa Starbuck

I loved the black and white vibe and thought it matched the sinister content, obviously not a documentary, but geared to YouTube, so get the quick rolling clips. Not for me as YouTube is not my platform, love closing my eyes and just listening to the story. I think it may appeal to a younger audience who like to see rather than imagine the narrative - no disrespect intended, as I feel this presentation would appeal to my daughters/grand-daughters. My only suggestion would be to speed up the presentation for this ‘type’ of episode.

Caroline O'Dea

Honest feedback from a regular joe listener: I watched most of it. I didn’t like the medium used to display dates (months and years) IMO typewriter font would have secured continuity in terms of theme. Also some of the shots of people felt very “corporate video / infomercial” The intro to the music was fab. Really liked that. The scenes of the house and maps were all good. About half way through I put my phone down and just continued to listen. I’m not one for videos (genx) I prefer to listen while doing other stuff. U and the team are so talented. I have every faith you’ll crack this and make it work for the audience you are targeting. Last thing, IMO they should have binned the letters and moved on as their neighbor and previous owners did. You can’t give people power over your life. Fuck ‘em. Last last thing - caseys (KC’s) voice is like gold in my ears and while the writing is superb, he could read the paper and I’d listen.

Connor Z

It seems the script was pretty much the same if not exactly the same as the original audio version? As for my opinion, the B-roll was a little bit too much for me, along with subtitles of the script. I realize with a 30 minute episode, it would be very difficult to have every video scene be useful. For this episode, the maps zooming into the location, shots of the actual house, and letter scripts were helpful, but not much else. I could see this medium being useful for something like the Golden State Killer case, showing maps of incidents related to others, photos of the victims, photos of evidence used in the case, mugshots of suspects, timeline of events, etc. Though with about 10 hours of audio, even more B-roll would probably be needed. I would probably stick to the audio version, as I am usually listening while cooking, cleaning, and driving, though could see some usefulness to a video.

Lin Cott

Like others have said, audio is best for me as I can listen whilst doing boring stuff. I wouldn’t sit and watch a video. It was a creepy production though, very well done. I can see that this media on YouTube will bring other listeners / watchers to YouTube though & if more subtitles were added then it would be great for the deaf community who miss out on the fabulous Case Files. Listener in the U.K. here & listener from the first episode & love it. Best crime podcast around by a mile.