Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
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uber magazine
MARCH 2017
QUANTITY
AND QUALITY
YOU NEED BOTH.
YOU CANT
SACRIFICE ONE.
Our Interview with
KURT HUGO
SCHNEIDER
page 8
PEWDIEPIE: ARTIST
FOR OUR TIMES
THE MACHINERY OF THE
INTERNET EXPOSED AND
CRITIQUED page 6
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EDITORS NOTES MARCH 2017
Volume 003
you
STORIES ADVICE TRENDS
uber magazine
YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT
MARCH 2017
Treating YouTube like a hobby you
QUANTITY cant get enough of is the only way
AND QUALITY
YOU NEED BOTH.
YOU CANT
to make your channel work.
SACRIFICE ONE.
Our Interview with
KURT HUGO Being a YouTuber is hard work. The
SCHNEIDER
page 8 hours suck. Its repetitive. Performing
at a high level is difficult. While gen-
erally very positive, a vocal minority
PEWDIEPIE: ARTIST
FOR OUR TIMES
of the online community can be toxic
THE MACHINERY OF THE
INTERNET EXPOSED AND
CRITIQUED page 6
and demoralizing. To top it off, most
creators never manage to make a full
time living, and those that do only do
so after years of work. Like all creative
On the Cover: Kurt Hugo Schneider
endeavors, if you truly want to make
it through the hard times, you have coax substantial revenue from their
publisher/editor Matthew York to love what you do. subscribers directly via Patreon, most
associate publisher Patrice York Its easy to look at the top one creators will tell you that a full-time
percent of YouTube channels and income only comes as you work your
editor in chief Mike Wilhelm
managing editor Nicole LaJeunesse think you can do what they do. Given way into the hundreds of thousands
on the cover
web developer
multimedia editor
Katherine Gabales
Chris Monlux
enough time and motivation, you of followers.
art director/photographer Susan Schmierer probably can. But the motivation can Developing a following that big is
contributing editors Rhiannon McGavin be hard to find. no easy task. For most, it takes years
Erik Fritts The fastest growing channels are of constant hard work with little to
director of sales and Terra York extremely prolific and consistent, no financial pay-off. Thats why, if
business development Lindsay Cox highly viral or both. While posting vi- you hope to stick with building your
account executive
telephone (530) 891-8410 ral content is the fastest way to reach YouTube channel for years, you have
YouTube stardom, actually achieving to be rewarded in other ways. Per-
marketing/fulfillmentmanager Tiffany Harness virality is easier said than done. No sonal enjoyment and satisfaction are
director of finance Stephen Awe
one has really cracked the code on paramount to your success.
accountant Ryan Awe what makes a video go viral. Even the Loving what you do doesnt just
customer service Sascha DiPasquale
/fulfillment coordinator very few channels that manage to motivate you to endure the months
have several viral hits tend to strug- and years of unprofitable work. Youll
YouTuber is published monthly by Videomaker, Inc., 645 Mangrove Avenue, Chico, CA 95926. 2016 Videomaker, Inc.
gle to reliably repeat that success. find your passion shows in your con-
The approach within reach of most tent, making the substance of your
All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher is prohibited.
The YouTuber name is a pending trademark, property of Videomaker, Inc. Editorial solicitations welcomed; publisher assumes
no responsibility for return of unsolicited material. Editorial-related photos and artwork received unsolicited become property
of Videomaker Inc.
YouTube creators is to develop an videos better.
audience through consistent and fre-
Videomaker Inc. makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the completeness, accuracy or
utility of these materials or any information or opinion contained herein. Any use or reliance on the information or opinion is
at the risk of the user, and Videomaker Inc. shall not be liable for any damage or injury incurred by any person arising out of
We all know that, on YouTube,
the completeness, accuracy or utility of any information or opinion contained in these materials. These materials are not to be
construed as an endorsement of any product or company, nor as the adoption or promulgation of any guidelines, standards quent content. Even if the substance authenticity is everything. If view-
of your content is amazing, however,
or recommendations.
ers cant clearly sense your passion,
the road to a full-time living is a long theyll unsubscribe, or worse, never
one. While some creators manage to discover you in the first place.
PRESENTED BY
YO U T U B E R I1
CONTENTS MARCH 2017
Volume 003
FOLLOWING KHS:
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
Kurt Hugo Schneider has massed a huge YouTube following by be-
ing creative on a number of different levels. We caught up with the
busy artist to find out how he got started and how he keeps it going.
JEFF CHAVES
Lets
COLUMNS
Play
GAMING: How to Add Depth to Your Channel JORDAN MAISON 24
YO U T U B E R I2
CONTENTS
PEWDIEPIE:
ARTIST FOR OUR TIMES
#istandwithpewdiepie
NICOLE LAJEUNESSE
47-51
SHORTS
Conspiracy Theory: Fact Checking - Is It Even Possible? ERIK FRITTS 4
OPINION
PewDiePie: Artist for Our Times NICOLE LAJEUNESSE 6
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources PETER BIESTERFELD 15
Innovative Storytelling on YouTube ERIN VIERRA 20 6-7
YO U T U B E R I3
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Fact Checking is it even possible?
YO U T U B E R I4
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Fact Checking is it even possible?
These days, its hard to know that story, based on the undeniable eyes, you cant always trust your
the news were getting is reliable. facts? How can you make sure own experience; optical illusions
Mainstream media is controlled by your YouTube channel is report- show us that our brains can be
The Man and benefits from main- ing the absolute, undeniable truth confused by simple tricks. Memo-
taining the social order, censoring about the Reptilian Overlords most ries are fragile; they fade over time
any story that doesnt fit into their recent crackdown on the Mermaid and can be influenced after they are
predetermined narrative. The alter- Resistance? Is it even possible to formed. What is there that can be
native media is a breeding ground know the truth? trusted as undeniable fact?
for wing-nuts and wackos from the Where do facts end and subjec- Everyone seems to have an agen-
political extremists to holistic new- tive perspective begin? Say a study da theyre pushing, which, in the
agers. Many people stay informed is done, under utmost scientific search for facts, can leave us feeling
through social media, which tends rigor, that finds 82% of people enjoy like were grasping at straws. The
to be an echo-chamber where users strawberries. One reader of the quest for reliable facts could be a
filter out voices they dont agree study might conclude the results wild goose chase, devised to keep
with and surrounded themselves proved strawberries are pretty us too busy to overthrow the Reptil-
with reports that confirm their good. Another might conclude that ian Overlords. But perhaps, theres
preconceived notions. a majority of people have wonky something more to it. Maybe by
Where can you turn for research taste buds. A third person might checking and cross referencing, by
if youre a content creator who just recognize a conspiracy from the researching and reviewing sources,
wants to run an honest, grounded scientists that take hush money by reading more of an article than
from Big Strawberry. Maybe no one just the headline maybe we can
would recognize the absolute fact find the truth about whats going
of the matter: strawberries are just on in the world.
IS IT POSSIBLE government propaganda and dont But we should proceed with cau-
TO BE SURE actually exist. tion, because The Truth has a way
Is it possible to be sure that of changing things even things
THAT EVERY-
everything youre reporting is fact? we didnt want to change.
THING YOURE Unless youve experienced some- Or maybe, thats just what The
REPORTING IS thing personally, arent you just Man wants you to think.
FACT? trusting other peoples accounts
Erik Fritts is an award winning writer, photog-
other people that can be misin- rapher and filmmaker. He has a BA in Film
formed and/or liars? Even if youve Production and experience working in TV,
film, and corporate video production. Follow
seen something with your own him on social @ErikFritts
YO U T U B E R I5
OPINION
#istandwithpewdiepie
BY NICOLE LAJEUNESSE
Felix PewDiePie Kjellberg has released several videos in response to coverage from the Wall Street Journal
and other outlets to explain the intentions behind the original video.
YOU T U B E R I6
OPINION
PewDiePie: Artist for Our Times
laugh along with him. This sort of I wont downplay the horrific
shallow discourse, however, com- nature of the content in that Fiverr
pletely misses the point. Its easier video. We should all be outraged THIS JOKE IS
to paint Felix as a racist and anti- that two people, splitting a $5 pay- ACTUALLY A WORK
Semite for a few more outrage-fu- check, would create a video calling OF PERFORMANCE
eled clicks than it is to thoughtfully for genocide.
research and articulate the videos And thats the joke.
ART IN WHICH
context and intent. Much of the coverage surround- THE MACHINERY
Comparisons between Felix and ing the fallout from this particu- OF THE INTERNET
Donald Trump are also common lar video has confused trolling IS EXPOSED AND
in these prime examples of yellow with hate speech a dangerous CRITIQUED.
journalism. The Outline writes, conflation. There is, and must be, a
Taking a cue from Donald Trump, distinction between racist rhetoric
[Felix] thinks the media caused the and cultural commentary. Felixs
loss of those deals and that he did particular brand of trolling falls
nothing wrong. But these com- into the latter category.
parisons between Felix and Trump Or from another point of view,
are, at best, oversimplified. this joke is actually a work of per-
Neither needs to work very hard formance art in which the machin-
to convince people that the media ery of the internet is exposed and
isnt worthy of our trust, which critiqued.
points to a larger systematic issue Either way, the inexcusably
with the media apparatus itself. sloppy way the story has been
Infotainment, 24-hour news cycles reported has done no favors to
and the constant race to secure media organizations like the Wall
more clicks and thus advertising Street Journal and others looking
revenue have lead us to question to rebuild trust in their reader-
the integrity of our press. Skepti- ship, especially when it comes to
cism has become the norm, and younger demographics.
no single outlet is trusted as a
completely reliable source not Nicole LaJeunesse is YouTubers Managing
Editor.
even news behemoths like the Wall
Street Journal.
Mainstream media is under
attack from all sides. Trump and
Felix arent the only ones railing
against it. Trump just happened
to pick up on a growing sense of
disillusionment that started way
before his campaign, and he has
been able to manipulate that disil-
lusionment to his advantage.
YOU T U B E R I7
FOLLOWING
KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
YO U T U B E R I8
KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
SUBSCRIBERS: 8,205,624
UPLOADS: 368
VIDEO VIEWS: 2,059,766,168
CHANNEL TYPE: ENTERTAINMENT
CREATED: OCT. 16, 2007
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
BY JEFF CHAVES
YOU T U B E R I9
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
MUSICAL ROOTS
Kurt grew up in Blue Bell, PA and Pass It On fea-
is the son of Laurie and Michael cal music growing up. He continues, I grew up in tures an innovative
use of Coke bottles
Schneider. He says music has a very musical household, my sister, shes older than as improvised
always been an influence in his me, is a professional pianist. My parents were never instruments to give
life, When I was really little my into music as a profession, but both are very musi- Kurts original com-
parents, took me and my sister to cal people and did music when they were younger. position a unique
sound.
ballet a lot, which obviously has a Honestly, for a little bit when I was growing up, I was
lot of amazing musical themes. I the only person in my family who didnt play a musi-
guess we used to listen to classi- cal instrument.
That environment paid off be-
cause, although he was never for-
mally trained, Kurt can play almost
every instrument. On his videos,
youll often see him behind a piano
or playing guitar, but, because he
just thinks musically, he often will
often use non-musical objects as
instruments. I just recorded a
track the other day where I used a
hoodie zipper and scissors as part
of the percussion. I like to just find
music in things that you wouldnt
think of as a musical instrument.
You can a great example of this on
his video called CUPS!!, which
has more than 43 million hits, or on
his amazing Pass It On, in which
Kurt sits at a picnic table with five
YO U T U B E R I 10
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
other people and the music is made by hand clapping know how many people know
and passing around Coke bottles. Kurts a master at that. He became a chess master at
untraditional concepts. 15 and went to Yale for mathemat-
Growing up in the suburban Pennsylvania town, he ics. Ive read that math and music
met Sam Tsui. Sam is the primary singer on the MJ are related; I guess so, in some
Medley and on many of his tracks. Ive known Sam way. Ive always loved math and
forever. We grew up together. We lived down the Ive always loved music. It just so
street from each other. We went to the same middle happens that the music won out.
school, high school and college. He was the next stop Its also very helpful to have
on the bus route. Kurt remembers with a laugh. We a supportive family. Kurt tells
rode good old bus 21 at our local public school. I got us that his parents have always
on one stop, the bus drove down the road, and Sam encouraged him, You hear some
got on the next stop. Thats how I met Sam. And were horror stories about people with
still working together to this day. musical aspirations whose parents
Music surrounded Kurt, but he says that in junior dont support them on their jour-
high and high school music was just an aside. When ney. They want them to become a
I was little, I was a nerdy, geeky math guy. I dont doctor or whatever. Thats never
been the case with my parents. My
parents have always been very sup-
portive, have always been encour-
aging me to do what I love.
YALE TO YOUTUBE
In college, Kurt began to discover
other talents, like video produc-
tion. At Yale, he found his outlet
for his music on YouTube. When
I started uploading, there werent
people who were making a living
from YouTube. At first he had no
idea that his songs would gain mil-
lions of viewers.
There were no people who
had YouTube as a central pillar
for their business. YouTube was
just a destination for videos that
you wanted to share with your
friends. Kurt tells us, I was
watching a bunch of stuff, and a
lot of music stuff was just people
just singing in their bedroom or
living room. Some videos were
Primarily a producer, Kurt often collaborates with other signers quite good. I watched it and
and musicians, and he makes sure to have fun while doing so. thought that there was a chance to
YO U T U B E R I 11
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
deliver something that was a little bit more profes- it as an outlet where an artist might
sional and thats what I tried to do. get seen and discovered. I think
Kurt wrote and played music while Sam would that for me, the lightbulb moment
sing, but his stuff never really caught on until he was when I thought YouTube itself
decided to clone his friend. I was going to do a duet could be just the outlet for us that
with Sam and this girl, but the girl backed out at the we use to break into this industry.
last minute. Instead of finding another one, I said So Kurt began to get even more
to Sam, We could have you do both the guy and the creative. He did more cloning songs
girl part. It turned out great! Kurt edited the video with Sam and other collaborations
together so it seamlessly worked in harmony. He says that included unique musical styles.
that the video got 1000 views in the first day. Back
then, to us, it was really encouraging, and a lot more OPEN DOORS
than we had expected. As the numbers went up, more
The wheels started turning, and Kurt developed opportunities came. For example,
other video ideas, like the Michael Jackson Med- Kurt was asked to collaborate with
ley uploaded in the Fall of 2009. There were im- Coca Cola in 2013 on a campaign
mediate results, he says: There started to be more called The Sounds of Aahh. In the
people who were subscribing to our channel and videos, youll see Kurt and oth-
there were more people who were following it. We ers, using Coke bottles as musical
kept uploading stuff. The numbers started to build instruments.
up, and I think that it was then when I realized But the most surprising thing
that there was a real opportunity here. for for him was being able to play
He still wasnt sure that YouTube could be the way for music at live venues, on a month
musicians to gain an audience. Most people thought of long tour of Asia, I got to play
Kurts first and most frequent collaborator is Sam Tsui, who often performs the songs Kurt has written for the camera. Kurt and Sam
have known each other since grade school and continue to work together today.
YO U T U B E R I 12
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
YOU T U B E R I 13
FOLLOWING KHS
AN INTERVIEW WITH KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER
some point well be doing more I listen to a lot of pop music. Anything that is Top 40
360 stuff, definitely. on the charts, I want to listen to. On top of genuinely
loving pop music, I also want to know what people are
SOUND ADVICE listening to, whats popping up. This is where he finds
What kind of advice would Kurt his inspiration.
have for aspiring musicians and Additionally, he tells us that collaboration is key, Be-
YouTubers? Keep at it. Do what ing primarily a producer, Im always working with other
you love! But he would also throw artists and singers. Virtually every video I put up on
in that, as he did, you have to find YouTube is some sort of collaboration with some other
something that is unique in what artist. And he says that he would love more collabora-
you do. There are so many tal- tion from pop artists, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars,
ented musicians on YouTube. So Taylor Swift, if youre reading this then hit me up!
many amazing singers. Its so hard
to get started. I think whats really THE FUTURE
important is finding something So where is KHS going? Of course, you can always
thats a little bit different. expect something unique and creative, but hes looking
He uses his Michael Jackson forward to performing at more live events: Im headed
Medley as an example. Wed been to India again, and traveling all over Mumbai. Plus,
uploading videos for a year. But the he tells us that hes always making videos, even when
difference is that this video is hes on the road. Ive made and shot videos in a lot of
one, the arrangement is pretty cool. different parts. When Im traveling I make videos with
Its a mash up of basically every local musical artists and singers and performers and
Michael Jackson hit in three min- YouTubers in the area. So, I always find cool stuff. You
utes. But on top of that, visually, its can expect to see videos with a more international flair.
one guy cloned singing it with six As long as people keep watching, Kurt is going
or seven different parts. I think if I to keep creating. This is like eight years later, and
did that video with just Sam sing- people are still watching. People are still comment-
ing and me at a piano, it wouldnt ing on stuff. I feel blessed. Hopefully, Im here for
have been shared on the internet. another eight.
He says that youve got to find a You can keep up with Kurt on the web at kurthu-
way to stand out. That could mean goschneider.com or join the more than 8 million
using unique video tools or musical fans who subscribe to his YouTube channel, Kurt
instruments like he does. Hugo Schneider.
Kurt also is very much in tune
with popular music. He wants to Jeff Chaves was trained in video production in the Army and has
been involved in the industry for more than 27 years. He and his wife
know what people are listening to: run Grace Pictures Inc.
YO U T U B E R I 14
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources
YO U T U B E R I 15
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources
YO U T U B E R I 16
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources
on his web site. in stabilization gear, shooting time-lapse and post-
production workflows.
If youve made a commitment to shooting video
with a DSLR, Frenchel & Janisch is a go-to portal for
learning how to get started and how to raise the pro-
duction values of your videos.
THE FENCHEL & JANISCH
YOUTUBE CHANNEL IS
POPULATED WITH MOSTLY
SHORT AND SNAPPY
VIDEO TUTORIALS.
YO U T U B E R I 17
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources
VIDEOCREATORS TV VIDEOMAKER
YouTube Channel: 250,000 subscribers - 17 million views YouTube Channel: 150,847 subscribers -
In the introductory video to his YouTube channel, 18,494,850 views
VideoCreators TV, Tim Schmoyer explains his mis- With a monthly circulation of over 50,000, Video-
sion: Teaching YouTubers how to build communities maker is the number one national consumer maga-
around their content. zine for video creators and enthusiasts.
Schmoyers brand includes prolific weekly video YouTubers parent publication has been in the
output and polished production values. VideoCre- video education business since 1986 when publisher
ators TV, says Schmoyer, helps YouTubers navigate Matthew York first launched the magazine for video
the business that surrounds your channel. In hun- camera users. The camcorder revolution was in full
dreds of video tutorials Schmoyer shares his YouTube swing, and Videomaker magazine fed the hunger of
leveraging tips and tricks. starved-for-instruction camcorder shooters.
Videomakers YouTube channel broadcasts free
YOUTUBER MAGAZINE video tutorials on all aspects of motion picture
(SHAMELESS PLUG!) production. The channel carries over the mags long
This fledgling digital mag was cooked up by editors tradition of publishing hands-on product reviews on
at Videomaker magazine in the fall of 2016. The key the latest hardware and software and other technical
ingredients: In-depth interviews with star creators, stuff, some of which involves audio meters and video
step-by-step how-to articles and insider opinion all scopes. Whether youre an online or offline video cre-
richly illustrated. ator, Videomaker.com is a must-stop learning portal.
YouTubers mission is to support online video
creators at all levels, goes the introductory blurb on
the digital mags web site. From those with a million
subscribers to those with a hundred.
The mags writers, who are YouTube creators them-
selves, riff on wide-ranging YouTube topics cam- YOUTUBERS PARENT
era performance, writing sketch comedy, setting up a PUBLICATION HAS BEEN
green screen, lighting product videos and more. IN THE VIDEO EDUCATION
Subscription to YouTuber is free, and its a promis- BUSINESS SINCE 1986.
ing online resource for video creators of all stripes.
YO U T U B E R I 18
GUIDES
Free Learning Resources
THiNK Media TV
YouTube Channel: 182,023 subscribers 9,147,619 views.
On this YouTube channel you will find weekly tech, video gear, lighting, and audio
gear reviews and tutorials. - channel owner Sean Cannell.
Film Riot
YouTube Channel: 1,021,276 subscribers 124,426,688 views
Film Riot is a how-to trip through filmmaking from the hyper-active mind of Ryan
Connolly - under-the-radar geeks exploring the art of filmmaking in a way youve
never seen.
KingTutsPro
YouTube Channel: 135,953 subscribers 14,048,165 views
This channel is dedicated to providing you with easy tutorials including Final Cut Pro
X, iMovie, Photoshop, and Illustrator CS6.
NextWaveDV
YouTube Channel: 74,801 subscribers 8,433,943 views
Improve your skills in producing, directing, lighting, editing, animation and more.
A seasoned script-to-screen television and video producer and trainer, Peter Biesterfeld is a non-fiction storyteller spe-
cializing in documentary, current affairs, reality television and educational production.
YO U T U B E R I 19
GUIDES
In a rapidly changing world, storytelling and narratives have not disappeared or gone away.
Instead, they have moved into a new and easily accessible venue. Where can you find these awe-
some new narratives? Explore the unique channels on YouTube.
YO U T U B E R I 20
GUIDES
Innovative Storytelling on Youtube
turned into a cultural phenomenon. shorts that showcase their talents production secrets with easy to
According to YouTube statistics, as filmmakers. Not only can aspir- follow tutorial videos.
there are over a billion users, which ing filmmakers share their stories, Scrolling through his videos
reflects one-third of all people on the they can unite with other filmmak- and reading the comments that
internet. Thats one billion people ers and share advice and tricks that his fans post, its easy to see how
who all have a story to share, and will help each other succeed. invested in his audience David is.
the reason behind the narratives is With one billion users striving Whenever someone asks a ques-
always the same: to inspire, educate to be seen on Youtube, there are tion about a certain film tech-
or entertain. a few channels that have made nique, he immediately answers.
YouTube has given people, pre- themselves unique. These channels He may be a filmmaker, but David
dominantly young adults, a plat- showcase the very essence of what knows that his fans are important
form to share their story in a for- makes storytelling an art form. and that engaging with them is
mat that is familiar to them. Since They push the boundaries of story- vital to his channels success.
many young people are driven by telling and narrative through film. His first short film, Lights Out,
the validation of their peers, You- became a theatrical film of the
Tube is the perfect venue. Internet PONYSMASHER same name and was released in
natives have found themselves in David Sandberg, better known as 2016. David has taken his skill of
an unique situation. Their whole Ponysmasher, joined YouTube in frightening people into a success-
lives take place in the public arena 2006 and has approximately thirty ful career due, in part, to the short
of the internet, so it follows that videos to his name. His channel is films that he has released to his
their stories would also be shared a mix of animation, instructional fans on YouTube.
online. Their stories are told, not videos and shorts. He uses his
on the written page, but through a YouTube Channel to showcase TOM SMITH
small screen bursting with life and his ability to scare people with his Another YouTube storyteller who
vigor. They feel validated with every short films. David also helps out illustrates a unique narrative arc
video posted, every comment liked future filmmakers by revealing his is Tom Smith, an award winning
and every picture shared. They feel
like their intimate narratives are
Lights Out
being heard and understood.
YouTube has given rise to unique
storytellers, filmmakers who have
used the form to tell their own
stories in a way that makes sense
to them. The videos posted vary in
concept, but they all have one thing
in common; they take storytelling
to a new dimension. Aspiring film-
makers have taken to the YouTube
stage with enthusiasm, starting
their careers on the small format.
YouTube is an ideal place to gain ponysmasher
audiences while building a portfo- Subscribers: 112,319
lio. Since videos on YouTube tend Uploads: 39
to be short in length, filmmakers Video Views: 29,396,241
have the ability to upload multiple
YO U T U B E R I 21
GUIDES
Innovative Storytelling on Youtube
MYHARTO
Hannah Hart is one of the inter-
nets most prolific vloggers on
YouTube. Shes a comedian and
writer who took her web series and
made a career of it. Her channel is
one thats both inspiring and enter-
taining to watch. Hannah started
her channel by doing a segment
Tom Smith
Subscribers: 5,740
she calls My Drunk Kitchen and
Uploads: 13 from there, her fame exploded. Her
Video Views: 2,018,107 vibrant personality has brought
fans from all over the world. What
YO U T U B E R I 22
GUIDES
Innovative Storytelling on Youtube
BROKE
Early last year, YouTube offered
up a new monthly subscription
that allows its subscribers specific
benefits such as no ads, offline
viewing, as well as listening to
videos while the screen is off. The
subscription was once known as as
YouTube Music Key. Its since been
renamed to Youtube Red.
BuzzFeedViolet
What makes Youtube Red excit- Subscribers: 2,968,488
ing is that it showcases some of Uploads: 374
what makes YouTube the place for Video Views: 979,849,794
storytellers and that is its original
content. Certain YouTube stars
who have found their niche on the From start to finish, Broke tells brings in the target audience. With
platform have added their original a story about three friends who a short running time, Broke tells
style to series and movies for their move to Los Angeles trying to ful- its story and draws viewer in.
fans by allowing them to expand fill their dreams.
stories and entertain subscribers. It could easily be interpreted as MORE STORIES, PLEASE
One of the original series being a coming of age story. The writing YouTube has evolved from cat vid-
offered with the subscription is a on the series is smart and enter- eos into a worldwide phenomenon
series called Broke starring one taining. The dialogue between that has altered the way we tell sto-
of the players in BuzzFeedViolet. characters is millennial speak that ries. What started out as a place to
waste time has turned into a venue
where people can create and share.
Aspiring filmmakers have found a
setting that engages their artistic
need to tell narratives. They reach
out with their life stories and find
people with whom to connect a
connection that can sometimes be
lacking elsewhere. We all have a
voice and a story just waiting to be
told. With YouTube in your hands,
you only need to find your own
story, your own narrative and your
own voice.
MyHarto
Subscribers: 2,518,597 Erin Vierra is a recent Chico State graduate
Uploads: 571 in Media Design and Communications. She is
a freelance writer for Videomaker magazine.
Video Views: 268,064,150
YO U T U B E R I 23
GAMING
How to Add Depth to Your
YouTube Gaming Channel
YO U T U B E R I 24
GAMING
The gaming industry is increasingly in the public eye thanks to the rise of eSports and streaming
channels online. This growing attention is a great thing for long-time gamers and those looking to
capitalize on the trend.
LETS PLAY
I ts a double-edged sword as
hundreds of new games arrive
every year, theres no shortage of
WHY DIVERSIFY?
With consoles bringing built-
in features for streaming and
One of the primary reasons you
need to diversify is also one of the
simplest: games will go out of style.
content for people to get started recording, starting a gaming Regardless of how popular a title
with their own game videos and channel is easier than ever. With is at launch, the game industry is
channels. The problem is trying every new game release, you can constantly evolving. New games
to make sure youre not lost in the find thousands of videos online are always on the horizon and
crowd. To that end, diversifying from gamers currently play- online titles could be shut down at
and expanding the type of gam- ing. Posting videos on the same any given time.
ing content your channel offers is games as everyone else isnt go- To combat this staleness, its
a vital element in ensuring your ing to help you earn more sub- important to vary your content
channels growth. scribers or revenue. and not simply stick to the latest
YO U T U B E R I 25
GAMING
How to Add Depth to Your YouTube Gaming Channel
YO U T U B E R I 26
GAMING
How to Add Depth to Your YouTube Gaming Channel
YO U T U B E R I 27
BEAUTY
Defining Beauty Online
YO U T U B E R I 28
BEAUTY
Beauty standards, and the representations thereof, have been shaped by greed and prejudice for centu-
ries longer than any of us have been blotting lipstick. For Western media in particular, the image of a thin
white woman has dominated the mainstream to a propaganda-like extent.
BEAUTY
BY RHIANNON MCGAVIN
YO U T U B E R I 29
BEAUTY
Defining Beauty Online
NYMA TANG
The dearth of diverse foundation Nyma Tang makes beauty more accessible with tips for great afford-
products, taking undertones and able makeup products for darker skintones.
YO U T U B E R I 30
BEAUTY
Defining Beauty Online
TATYANA ALI
Its disappointing that so many
lifestyle platforms assume their
viewers have the same sort of hair,
and thus only suggest styles for
straight, thin, non-textured fol-
licles. Happily, Youtube is just one
of the many platforms that serve Monolid makeup tutorials are rare in most beauty publications, so cre-
to broadcast diversity, with tricks ators like Dasha Kim and Claire Marshall are filling in the gap.
for cute looks and helpful products
ITS
DISAPPOINTING
THAT SO MANY
LIFESTYLE
PLATFORMS
ASSUME THEIR
VIEWERS HAVE
THE SAME SORT OF
HAIR. Not all hair styles work for all types of hair. Tatyana Ali provides options
for people with underrepresented hair types.
YOU T U B E R I 31
BEAUTY
Defining Beauty Online
HEYITSFEIII
While some magazines touch on
the topic of acne, its usually in a
way thats more pretty than useful;
it becomes more of a quirky trait
than something educational. Like,
I am sure that these flawlessly
beautiful supermodels have secret
tricks for banishing a zit over-
night or whatever, but the average
person doesnt really have a paid Though acne is extremely common, its not often talked about seriously
facialist or free luxury products. in traditional makeup tutorials. Fortunately, heyitsfeiii is here to help.
Thats why I personally really like
Feis videos! She tests masks and
tools, demonstrates practical
tricks for covering up spots, and
never shies away from the pimply
task at hand.
INGRID NILSEN
Even when creators arent neces-
sarily talking about makeup, an
insight into their daily lives can
YO U T U B E R I 32
BEAUTY
Defining Beauty Online
J ALAHI, SOOTHINGSISTA
& KAYA EMPIRE
For basically October through De-
cember, the web is saturated with
Christmas makeup tutorials. Not
that theres anything wrong with
that although, geez, the timing
but other religions and cultures
do exist! I might have my own
lipstick picked out for latkes, but
its still so cool to see people like J.
Alahi get glam for Eid, Stephanie
and her friends party for the Lunar
New Year or Kaya Empire blend
out her eyeshadow for an Indian
wedding reception.
YO U T U B E R I 33
SUPER-NICHE
Success Isnt Just About Subscriber Count
YO U T U B E R I 34
SUPER-NICHE
Success in the online video world is often seen as a race to gain as large of a following
as possible. However, success on YouTube isnt always defined by subscriber-count alone.
YO U T U B E R I 35
SUPER-NICHE
Success Isnt Just About Subscriber Count
YO U T U B E R I 36
BUSINESS
How Choosing Collaboration
Over Competition Grows Your Channel
YO U T U B E R I 37
BUSINESS
How Choosing Collaboration Over Competition Grows Your Channel
BUSINESS
BY BREE BROUWER
YO U T U B E R I 38
BUSINESS
How Choosing Collaboration Over Competition Grows Your Channel
YO U T U B E R I 39
BUSINESS
How Choosing Collaboration Over Competition Grows Your Channel
Devinsuper-
portunity to not only create new tramp and
content with a like-minded indi- Shaycarl shared
vidual, but also place your channel two different
in front of new audiences who perspectives
may then click that important sub- from a single
scribe button. Few other YouTube adrenaline-
channel growth strategies can pumped event.
claim this same return on invest-
ment and time.
EXAMPLES OF
WELL-EXECUTED
COLLABORATIONS
Fortunately for you, thousands of
collaboration videos exist to study
and learn from. Hollens notes col-
laboration videos are rampant
across musicians channels on
YouTube, but if your channel is showing off his signature action-inspired shots and
not primarily focused on melodies, Shaycarl providing a behind-the-scenes clip so audi-
here are some other examples of ences of both channels would see something new in
well-executed collaborations to each video.
check out:
Epic Meal Time and Freddie Wong
Devinsupertramp and Shaycarl Epic Meal Times Harley Morenstein appeared in
These two YouTube stars teamed a video on Wongs RocketJump channel to help ex-
up to film a heart-pounding rope plain the power of visual effects editing. Meanwhile,
swing through a canyon. Each Wong cooked up a delicious breakfast burrito with
creator provided their own take on his brother in a cross-promotion video for Moren-
the event, with Devinsupertramp steins channel.
Epic Meal Times Harley Morenstein and RocketJumps Freddie Wong each made a video that incorporated
their own interests into the other channels theme.
YO U T U B E R I 40
BUSINESS
How Choosing Collaboration Over Competition Grows Your Channel
Peter Hollens and Lindsey Stirling If you havent utilized collabo-
This same video appears on both ration as a growth strategy on
creators channels, and the col- your channel yet, dont wait. You IF YOU HAVENT
laboration turned out to be very can start by taking YouTubes UTILIZED
beneficial for Hollens. Lindsey official lesson on collaboration, COLLABORATION
opened up her entire audience to or by purchasing Schmoyers AS A GROWTH
my work... and it was an enor- course on accelerating your
STRATEGY YET,
mous turning point in both my channel growth.
life and career, he said, noting The sooner you view fellow DONT WAIT.
his subscriber base quadrupled YouTube creators as collaborators
from 25,000 to 100,000 subscrib- instead of competition, the sooner
ers over the next three months. youll start to see measurable
But most importantly it was growth on your channel.
what that collaboration taught
me: that seeing my peers as col- Bree Brouwer is a professional journalist,
laborators and not competition copywriter, and content marketer specializ-
ing in online video and digital media.
was the name of the game. She possibly watches lots of YouTube.
Peter Hollens quadrupled his subscriber base after making a collaboration video with Lindsey Stirling that
was shared to both Hollens and Stirlings channels.
YO U T U B E R I 41
VLOGS
5 Mistakes New Vloggers Make
YO U T U B E R I 42
VLOGS
In the world of online video, the vlog is the most accessible form of video creation. Turn on the camera and
start talking about your life, right? Though it looks that simple, there is a lot of work behind the scenes that
make vlogs engaging and interesting to watch.
VLOGS
BY RICKY ANDERSON II
YO U T U B E R I 43
VLOGS
5 Mistakes New Vloggers Make
wait until they can get better
equipment to move forward with MISTAKE #3: CULT OF
their next video. Amy shares, I NEGATIVITY
find that a lot of people get para- Many vloggers who are looking
lyzed by gear and they need to to grow their channel will look to
buy all the things get all the right drama or negativity to draw people YOU NEED TO
stuff before they can get started into their channels. Amy observes, PRACTICE AND
and feel like its right. negativity makes the news and
BE CONSISTENT,
Solution: Use what you have positivity has a harder time [mak-
and cover the basics. All you need ing] the cut. The same goes online,
AND YOU NEED TO
for solid online video is internet and I think people [believe] they SHOW UP OFTEN
access, HD video which your have to be negative inside them- IF YOU ARE GOING
smart phone most likely has selves in order to convey sort of TO GET BETTER.
light and sound. Dont worry so that drama level with a thumbnail THATS WHATS
much about the gear Amy ex- or a headline.
GOING TO MAKE
claims, Go stand outside where Solution: Its all about person-
there is daylight use your smart- ality. When people watch You- ANY EQUIPMENT
phone thats in your pocket and Tube videos, they are looking for YOU USE BETTER IN
make a video! She continues on you, so you have to be aware of TURN.
to say, the reality is it doesnt how you want to set the tone of
matter how great your golf clubs who you are on camera. You have
are if you are a terrible golfer. to ask yourself are you trying
YO U T U B E R I 44
VLOGS
5 Mistakes New Vloggers Make
YO U T U B E R I 45
VLOGS
5 Mistakes New Vloggers Make
YO U T U B E R I 46
A PROFILE OF
ROMAN MICA
QUALITY VIDEO WITH LESS TOIL
YO U T U B E R I 47
THE FAST LANE CAR THE FAST LANE TRUCK
SUBSCRIBERS: 558,209 SUBSCRIBERS: 315,694
UPLOADS: 2,510 UPLOADS: 686
VIDEO VIEWS: 250,805,260 VIDEO VIEWS: 105,045,988
CHANNEL TYPE: AUTOS CHANNEL TYPE: AUTOS
USER CREATED: MARCH 26TH, 2009 USER CREATED: MAY 2ND, 2012
YO U T U B E R I 48
A PROFILE OF ROMAN MICA
QUALITY VIDEO WITH LESS TOIL
king. He points out that bad production quality can
ruin a great concept, but even great production qual-
ity cant save a production based on a flawed idea. To
Roman, an engaging concept has a hook and answers
critical questions viewers want to know.
EVEN GREAT The pre-production meeting helps the staff cre-
ate shot lists, define key points the video will explore
PRODUC-
and produce a loose script. These documents give the
TION QUALITY team what they need to efficiently produce the seg-
CANT SAVE A ment. Roman is careful not to over-produce; he never
PRODUCTION wants his real-world reviews to appear scripted.
BASED ON A One big challenge of automotive reviews is finding
FLAWED IDEA. shooting locations. Whether its a muddy hill climb
YO U T U B E R I 49
A PROFILE OF ROMAN MICA
QUALITY VIDEO WITH LESS TOIL
YO U T U B E R I 50
A PROFILE OF ROMAN MICA
QUALITY VIDEO WITH LESS TOIL
YO U T U B E R I 51