June is here. VIDCON is back. And I will be Live Blogging the Event.
VIDCON – What Is it?
#VIDCON – Creator Track allows some amazing seminars to learn about online video and social media. And it’s not all that expensive to attend under this badge.
#VIDCON is the Online Video Conference in Anaheim which has been going on for several years started by the Vlogbrothers who have a very popular YouTube website called “Crash Course” (7.2 million subscribers). Crash Course has some very understandable titles like “Comedies and Romances” but then more esoteric ones like “Measures of Central Tendency”. The last one does not sound like relaxed dinner conversation. The two brothers, John and Hank Green, not only teach courses and write books, but started VIDCON as an Online Video convention. The conference has grown enormously. Last year, in 2017, there were over 30,000 participants. The conference started out as a guerilla operation mostly with a lot of people not really into the Old Media world. As I heard one participant say, “Old Media doesn’t understand New Media. New Media doesn’t give two shits about the Old Media. And Old Media is very afraid of New Media.” Pretty much sums it all up.
And then the Green brothers sold out to Old Media by selling VIDCON to VIACOM. Now we’re going to see a lot of censorship on the criticism for Old Media and sponsors that just ring out as corporate schills. According to one article, “YouTubers React to Viacom’s Vidcon Acquisition”
Notwithstanding VidCon’s origins as a grassroots YouTuber meetup, the event has been taken over by corporations, starting with YouTube’s perennial sponsorship of the conference. It’s been a magnet in recent years by Hollywood and media companies seeking to connect with Gen Z audiences.
Sponsors of the 2017 event included NBC, UTA, Disney Digital Network, and Univision, and included screenings of Universal Pictures’ “Despicable Me 3” and Disney’s “Cars 3.” Facebook, too, stepped up its presence at VidCon in Anaheim last year.
In 2014, in a move to boost VidCon’s management team, the Green brothers hired Jim Louderback, former GM of Discovery Digital Networks and CEO of digital-video startup Revision3, to run VidCon as its CEO.
So we shall see what #VIDCON2018 holds.
VIDCON – How Does It Work?
#VIDCON operates on three levels of badges: Community, Creator and Industry with increasing costs at $100, $200 and $600. The badges allow various access to the floor which exhibits and interactive displays for Community. Creators get to the second floor where you can attend various panels. Industry has John Green (the founder) doing the keynote and other well-known speakers. Media companies plugging their abilities and skills abound. They provide knowledge – and fish for clients.
When I attended the last four years, I learned about “BookTubers” who are book lovers who offer their insights and criticism on books. Yes, books. People who read and give their opinion about books – on video! A lot of other programs talk about Creativity, sustaining it, burning out and what to do about Authenticity and creativity.
VIDCON – What can I Learn There?
This conference has the most youthful energy and excitement of all the dozen conferences I attended in the last few years. You can feel the energy of their Community, Creator and Industry attendees. Best T-Shirt seen so far: ”Create Something TODAY even if it sucks.”. That statement encapsulates the Take No Prisoners to content creation, defying the usual gatekeepers in the networks, major studios and major media companies.
VIDCON is the Woodstock of youthful content creation, without much weed and free love directed toward content creation.
First session for me: ”How to Bake Brand in a Deal” which concentrates on baking and product sponsors and multimedia platforms. The panel experts say to study the brand and their platforms. Fantastic content drives the deal. In a brand deal, make sure that the content is spectacular. Be true who you are – working with the brand but make sure that you are doing the right thing by yourself too. Don’t just hang a brand into your content without being comfortable with its portrayal in your content. If it’s not authentic, you will be in a bad light and so will your work.
You can check out the various tracks, including the Creator Track right here.
In last year’s VIDCON, I went to numerous seminars where I was able to learn about “Are Creators Really Making Money on New Platforms?” Now, this is in the Creator Track. There are three tracks like I said. The Community Track is the cheapest and meant for seeing the exhibits and listening to a lot of screaming teenagers when they see an Online celebrity. Creator Track is like $150 to $200 and a better deal because you can go to seminars and ask questions about YouTubers and others with real world experience. The Industry Track is much more expensive – and I didn’t think really worth it. I think more in the Creator world is better suited for most people.
VIDCON – In Summary
#VIDCON is four days of chaos. Screaming girls chasing down their celebrity Youtubers – and you will have NO IDEA who they are. Welcome to the club. But then if you have the Creator Track, you can go to a lot of seminars. I suggest you be prepared to take photos of the slides up on stage – and then rapidly take notes with your computer. That’s what I do. The Industry Track – pretty good summary for seminars that they will send to you to learn about social media and more.
Look, I’ve gone to a lot of conferences including Streaming Market, Produced By Conference (PGA), DGA Digital Day, NATPE, American Film Market and more. This is the most exciting and dynamic conference and enthusiastic. It’s youthful and outward looking and has a great fearlessness about it. If you are in Southern California and a filmmaker, then you should be there. Hands down.
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