The Essay Library
The Essay Library is a Discord server for video essay creators and viewers to chat about all things video essays. It's also the official server of r/videoessay.▶ Click here to join The Essay Library on Discord.▶ Links:
The Essay Library YouTube Channel
Beginner's Guide to Discord (from Discord Support)
r/videoessay subreddit▶ Accolades:
The Exquisite Relay: An Essay Library Co-Construction was praised as a "fascinating experiment in essay structure" in "The best video essays of 2022" (Sight and Sound).The Essay Library Anthology Vols. 2 + 3 received a special mention from the curators of "The best video essays of 2021" (Sight and Sound).▶ The Essay Library Anthology
Compilations of 60-second micro-essays around a given theme.
Volume 1 | "Beginnings" (2021)
Volume 2 | "Time" (2021)
Volume 3 | "Death" (2021)
Volume 4 | "We Asked A Bot To Name 18 Video Essays" (2022)
Volume 5 | "Secrets" (2023)
Volume 6 | "Becoming Someone Else" (2023)
Volume 7 | "Adaptation" (2024)
Volume 8 | "Seasons" (2024)▶ Other Collaborations
Video Jam 2025: Journey - video essayists were tasked with creating a video essay start to finish in 48 hours.These Video Essays Do Not Exist - created for April Fools' Day 2024. Essayists were asked to respond to the prompt "things that don't exist," and interpretations ranged from fan theories, lost media, myths, to pure fiction using the form of a video essay."When Essay Met Library: A Rom-Com Collaboration" - creating video essays based on each other's romantic comedy film recommendations."The Exquisite Relay: An Essay Library Co-Construction" - a videographic twist on the exquisite corpse featuring two video essays made one minute at a time. The first video was made forward, the second backward. Each creator had four days to do their part before passing it on to the next person. Mentioned in Sight and Sound."Tales from the Essay Library: Horror" - eight video essayists created work based on each other's horror movie recommendations. This essay chain had a time constraint of 5 minutes per essay.▶ The best way to get in touch with the Essay Library moderation team is by joining the Discord server, but you can also contact us using the form below.
The Essay Library
The Essay Library Anthology Vol. 8
The Essay Library is putting together another collaborative video essay project!Each volume of the Essay Library Anthology is a collection of 60-second micro-essays based on a shared theme. Our previous prompts include Time, Secrets, Becoming Someone Else, and Adaptation.For Vol. 8, the theme is Seasons. Whatever that means is up to you.Anyone can participate in this project, even those who have never made a video essay before. It's also great for seasoned video essayists looking to break up their routine and try something new.This project will be published in two different ways: as a single compilation on The Essay Library YouTube Channel, and as a playlist of individual videos.Submissions are open now until October 6 at 11:59 PM EDT. See below for more information and FAQ.While working on your submission, we encourage you to discuss the project with other participants in the The Essay Library Discord.
TL;DR
Prompt: Seasons (all interpretations welcome)
Constraint: 60 seconds (55-65 second range allowed)
Deadline: October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT.
Submit here.
Share ideas here (optional).
Join The Essay Library on Discord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign up?
Nope! Just submit your video by the deadline. As long as it follows all the guidelines on this page, it will be included.How do I submit my micro-essay?
Video essays should be submitted here. We'll need two things from you:
A .mp4 file of your video via Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc. Remember to edit the permissions so anyone with the link can access and download it. This goes in the final compilation, so leave out any channel branding.
A YouTube link to your video on your own channel. Keep it unlisted until the full project is published. This goes in the playlist and can include channel branding.
What does "channel branding" mean?
"Channel branding" in this case refers to anything that is overly self-promotional. Some examples of channel branding include adding an outro/end-screen, inserting graphics that encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel, or listing the names of your Patreon supporters.We specifically want to avoid this in the big compilation; if you plan to publish your essay on your own YouTube channel you have full control over its presentation.You can put your name/username in the video if you'd like, but this will already be written on the title card before your video.When is my submission due?
Submissions are due October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT. The essays will then be edited together and Vol. 8 will be published shortly after.Will I be credited in the compilation on The Essay Library's YouTube channel?
All participants will be credited with a title card before their segment appears in the final compilation AND in the video's description. Each segment will be marked using YouTube's "chapter" feature so that the creator can be easily located.Do I have to make my submission public on my own YouTube channel?
No. You can keep your part unlisted after launch. We just need to be able to make a playlist of everyone’s videos, so please do not set it to private.I don't have a YouTube channel. How do I submit my video to the playlist?
We welcome submissions from non-YouTubers! If you cannot/do not want to make a YouTube account, we can upload your micro-essay to The Essay Library YouTube channel as an unlisted video.Please be sure to indicate this on your submission form instead of providing a link. Your submission still has to follow all the guidelines regarding suitability for YouTube publication.How do I know what topics other people are doing for their submissions?
You can use this spreadsheet to list your name and your intended topic, as well as take a look at what other people are doing for their topics. This is not mandatory.We also welcome multiple videos covering the same topic. There is no way to reserve a topic—the spreadsheet is just a tool for coordination and inspiration.Are there any rules for what I can and cannot include in my micro-essay?
Your submission should be appropriate for YouTube publication. It should not trigger any Content ID/copyright claims. Please avoid any NSFW images/content that would result in the video being blocked or age-restricted.
Voiceover narration is not required.
Essays with sped-up voiceover will not be accepted.
All languages are welcome, but please provide English subtitles if your submission is not in English.
Your submission should stand on its own. It should be produced specifically for this collaboration -- don’t submit a clip from an existing video essay.
"Can my submission be vertical and/or a YouTube Short?
Yes! You can even do a horizontal submission for the big compilation and a vertical version for your own channel. In the past, we’ve had a mix of formats.How firm is the time limit on my submission?
We would like you to do your best to keep your submission around 60 seconds. We will allow a range of 5 seconds shorter or longer (55-65 seconds).While the body of your essay should remain the same in both versions, you can add channel branding that exceeds 60 seconds for the version on your own YouTube channel. Leave this out of the .mp4 submission.What specifications should I make my entry to?
Feel free to create your entry in any dimensions or framerate you desire. The final compilation will be 1080p/60fps, and submissions will be upscaled/downscaled to fit those dimensions. Aspect ratios will be preserved.
The Essay Library
These Video Essays Do Not Exist
The Essay Library is hosting a collaborative project for April Fools' Day where participants are invited to create video essays based on subject matter that does not exist. Submissions should be kept to five minutes or less.Submissions are open now until March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET. Keep reading for more details about how this all works.
TL;DR
Prompt: Video essays about subject matter that does not exist (open interpretation)
Constraint: 5 minutes maximum (no minimum)
Deadline: March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET.
Click here to submit.
Click here to share ideas (optional).
Click here to join The Essay Library on Discord.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the prompt mean?
The full prompt, which was submitted and voted on by Discord members, is “video essays but made up (the subject matter does not exist).” You can interpret this however you’d like. It’s intentionally open-ended; the goal is to collect as many perspectives and approaches as possible.Potential topics include:
Lost media.
What the next season of a canceled TV show would look like.
Work(s) published under a pseudonym.
How a certain work of art (film, song, etc) would be different if another artist made it.
100% fiction: for example, make up a fake country and discuss its history.
Do I have to sign up?
Nope! Just submit your video by the deadline. As long as it follows all the rules/guidelines outlined below, it will be included.If you would like to chat with other participants, you can join The Essay Library Discord server with this invite link.
How do I submit my video essay?
Video essays should be submitted here. We'll need two things from you:
A .mp4 file of your video via Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc. (remember to edit the permissions so anyone with the link can access and download it) – this goes in the final compilation, so leave out any channel branding.
A YouTube link to your video on your own channel (keep it unlisted until the launch day) – this goes in the playlist and can include channel branding.
Both of these must be done.”Channel branding” refers to YouTube intros/logos, end screens, Patreon/ko-fi promotions, and anything else that is not part of the essay itself.
When is my entry due?
Submissions are due March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET. The essays will then be edited together and the full collab will be posted on April Fools' Day (April 1 2024).
Do I have to make the video on my own channel public?
No, you can keep your part unlisted after launch. We just need to be able to make a playlist of everyone’s videos, so please do not set it to private.
What if I don't have a YouTube channel?
We welcome submissions from non-YouTubers! If you cannot/do not want to make a YouTube account, we can upload your submission to The Essay Library YouTube channel as an unlisted video.Please be sure to indicate this on your submission form instead of providing a link. Your submission still has to follow all the guidelines regarding suitability for YouTube publication (basically, don't trigger copyright strikes on our channel).
Who will post the final compilation?
The big compilation featuring every essay in one video will be posted on The Essay Library YouTube channel.
How do I know what topics other people are doing for their submissions?
You can use this spreadsheet to list your name and your intended topic, as well as take a look at what other people are doing for their topics. Doing this is not mandatory, but can perhaps help prevent repetition.
Are there any rules for what I can and cannot include in my video essay?
Your submission should be appropriate for YouTube publication. It should not trigger any Content ID/copyright claims. Please avoid any NSFW images/content that would result in the video being blocked.
Voiceover narration is not required.
Essays with sped-up voiceovers will not be accepted.
All languages are welcome, but please provide English subtitles if your submission is not in English.
Your submission should stand on its own. It should be produced specifically for this collaboration -- don’t submit a clip from an existing video essay.
How firm is the time limit on my submission?
There is a firm 5 minute maximum video length. There is no minimum length.While the body of your essay should remain the same in both versions, you can add channel branding that exceeds 5 minutes for the version on your own YouTube channel. An example of channel branding is adding a logo at the start or listing the names of your Patreon supporters at the end.
What specifications should I make my entry to?
Feel free to create your entry in any dimension or framerate you desire. The final compilation will be 1080p/60fps, and submissions will be upscaled/downscaled to fit those dimensions. Aspect ratios will be preserved.
Will I be credited?
All participants will be credited in a title card before their segment appears in the final compilation and in the video's description with their name and a channel link. Each segment will be delineated using YouTube's "chapter" feature so that the creator can be easily located.
That's it! If you have any other questions, you can discuss the project in the The Essay Library Discord.
Jam ends in
Our 2025 video jam is now over.
Watch all the entries in the official playlist.
The Essay Library Video Jam: Journey
We're hosting our first ever video jam to celebrate four years of The Essay Library! Participants will have 48 hours to create a video essay responding to a given prompt.The jam will start at 6:00 PM EST on January 17th and run until 5:59 PM on January 19th.You must start and submit your video essay within this time frame.All video essays must be submitted to the collaborative YouTube playlist by the deadline. These videos will later be used in a highlights video on The Essay Library channel.Participants can work alone or with a partner/team.Join The Essay Library on Discord.
Information
Prompt: JourneyConstraint: Make your video as long or as short as you want. You can use any aspect ratio, but the final compilation of entries on our YouTube channel will be presented in a 16:9 format.Requirements:
Your submission should be appropriate for YouTube publication. It should not trigger any copyright claims that result in the video being blocked. Please avoid any NSFW images/content.
Voiceover narration is not required.
All languages are welcome, but please provide English subtitles if your submission is not in English.
Your submission should stand on its own. It should be produced specifically for this collaboration within 48 hours. Don’t use any materials from an existing video essay or work-in-progress.
Deadline: January 19th, 2025 by 5:59 PM EST.Submit: Add your video essay to our collaborative YouTube playlist.Publishing: You can publish your entry at any time. Please do not set your video to "private," as that will hide it in the collaborative playlist. If you do not want to make your entry public at all, please set it to "unlisted." After the video jam is over, a selection of highlights will be posted on The Essay Library's YouTube channel.Completion: Following the game jam tradition, you do not need to 100% finish your video essay. You can always come back to it later. The goal of this project is to see what people can do in 48 hours.
Join
This video jam is taking place in The Essay Library, a Discord server for video essay creators and viewers. Click here to join.There is a dedicated channel where participants can share their progress. For those who are teaming up, the "Video Jam" role on Discord allows users to create private, invite-only threads to collaborate.