Hello, I’m Vaughn Greve — a full-time cinematographer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles.
I’ve always admired YouTube as a space where anyone can pick up a camera and tell their story.
But after years of watching creators—some with huge followings—I’ve noticed something:
Even the most successful channels often hit walls when it comes to the technical side.
Composition, lighting, color grading, visual storytelling—these are the pieces that often get left behind. And right now, these elements are more important than ever.
It’s not because creators aren’t talented.
It’s because most of the advice out there comes from creators to creators—circling the same basics, without ever bridging the gap to real cinematic craft.
That’s where I come in.
I work one-on-one with creators, helping sharpen not just the visuals, but the way you tell your story—through better workflow, technical clarity, and a deeper understanding of cinematography.
No generic workshops. No recycled tips.
Just tailored, actionable guidance built around where you’re at and where you want your work to go. ⬇️
The good news? YouTube is bigger than ever. In August 2024, it made up 9.2% of all U.S. TV viewing, beating Netflix for the second year in a row (Nielsen Gauge Report, 2024). That means there’s more opportunity than ever to grow your audience.
The challenge is—everyone knows it. Over 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every single minute (Statista, 2025). With that much content, standing out takes more than consistency.
These days, YouTube’s recommendation system cares more about viewer satisfaction and retention—how long people actually watch and how much they enjoy it—than how often you post. So growth isn’t about flooding the feed anymore. It’s about quality—your story, your pacing, and the craft that keeps people watching.
Check out what other creators are saying about this below 👇
YOUTUBE IS BECOMING NETFLIX - are you ready?
"This means that YouTube isn't just competing with the likes of Tik Tok or Instagram anymore. It's literally competing with Netflix, Disney Plus, and even your cable television…people aren't just scrolling or passively watching content anymore. They're now literally sitting down in front of the TV to watch creators like they would usually watch a normal TV show…this changes everything because TV viewers prefer different pacing, different editing styles... compared to mobile viewers. And that also means when someone's watching you on a 55in TV instead of a 5-in phone, they're going to be expecting a Netflix style storytelling ability."
“…..I think it's inevitable that the quality of social media content just keeps going up and up and up until it's not that different than the TV it replaced. ”
"…I think we're shifting back to where quality first is the better strategy... the average viewer is inundated with more and more good content…their baseline for what average is is slowly drifting up. If the baseline content was a 3 out of 10, well then as long as you beat the baseline, you could cut through. That baseline is now drifting from 3 to 4 to 5 to 6. and now it's up at 7 or 8 out of 10…So, in order to have your content continue to cut through in the next era, it's either going to need to be exceptionally well-made, extremely unique, or both.”
I help youtubers make work that is more cinematic, more artistically rewarding, and more technically polished.
Where I SEE Creators GetTING Stuck
When creators are ready to upgrade their work, they often don’t have many reliable places to turn. These are the most common roadblocks I see:
Technical headaches. You hit roadblocks with your gear or workflow that you just can’t troubleshoot alone.
Stuck growth. You’ve upgraded your camera, tweaked your edits, maybe even bought a few new LUTs—but the views aren’t moving.
Workshops that don’t translate. Most are led by other YouTubers, not filmmakers. They teach what worked for them, not what will work for you.
Gear overload. Cameras, lenses, audio setups—there are too many choices. What you really need is guidance that fits your style, workflow, and budget.
Burnout. You’ve figured out most of this YouTube thing on your own, but now the system you built is running you. Nothing feels easy anymore.
Sometimes you just need a second pair of eyes. The intro call is a free 15-minute chat to talk through where you’re stuck — whether it’s story, lighting, or workflow or something else — and get one clear, actionable idea to move forward. No pressure, no pitch, no obligations - just a quick creative conversation to help you see your work from a new angle. Let’s see how I can help 👇
Already know you want the full audit? Click Here
want to learn how to make your films more like cinema? Learn from someone who works in hollywood.
ABOUT ME
I've worked in Hollywood for 15 years - as a cinematographer, director, and script supervisor. I hold a degree in film theory, as well as a graduate degree in cinematography from AFI Conservatory - the #1 film school in the world. I've worked for brands like Starbucks and Sony, platforms like Netflix and Vox, and even spent 3 years working as a screener and script reader for Sundance Film Festival.
All of this is just to say - I have a deep understanding of story with all of the technical skills to help you get to where you want to be. My entire career (and the great passion of my life) has been to help bring storyteller’s visions to life.
That combination of both technical and narrative skill means I care deeply about how stories move, not just how they look. My work is rooted in visual storytelling that’s intentional, visceral, and built to connect.
When I’m not bringing stories to the screen, you’ll probably find me flying my drone in the mountains, developing film, or camping in the desert - but always chasing good light.✨
FAQS
1. Do I need to know what I need help with before booking a call?
Nope. You don’t have to come in with a plan. I’ll start with a full audit—watching your videos, identifying strengths, and outlining where we can make the biggest impact together.
2. Can you help me with my camera, lighting, or audio setup?
Absolutely. Whether it’s gear you already own or tools you’re thinking about getting, I can help you troubleshoot and get the best results from what you have.
3. Do I need a budget for new gear?
Not at all. I can recommend upgrades at any price point—but there’s plenty we can improve without spending a dime.
4. What will you focus on in the audit?
Two key areas:
Technical craft: lighting, composition, exposure, color, and the visual tools that keep people watching.
Storytelling: hooks, pacing, structure, and emotional connection—everything that turns a good video into one that keeps viewers engaged.
5. I’m new to YouTube. Can you help me start my channel?
Absolutely! I can help you plan your setup, develop story outlines, and pull together a deck of visual references for your channel.
6. I already have a clear vision for my channel. Can you help me achieve it?
Yes. As a cinematographer, I’m used to bringing a director’s vision to life. I’ll give you practical, step-by-step guidance to get the look and feel you’re after, at any budget.
7. What if I just feel burnt out and unmotivated?
Being a creator is a full time job x10 - and most of the time, you’ve learned how to do this all on your own. Let’s overall systems that aren’t working for you any longer. I can help you build new workflows from the ground up - from preproduction through the edit, in ways that feel exciting and invigorating to you.
READY TO TAKE YOUR CHANNEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Book a Free Intro Call 👇