Smosh, Tobuscus and PewDiePie may read as obscure, odd names for some, but for millions, these names represent some of today’s most popular online video creators.
Representing millions of views, these popular YouTube channels are home to viral videos that garner fans across the globe. The creators of these channels are also some of the attendees of a yearly event that brings people who make YouTube videos, or YouTubers, and fans together.
The world’s largest convention for online video creators and fans, VidCon is a three-day conference held in Anaheim, California.
Day one, known as Industry Day, is exclusively created for industry representatives to gain insider knowledge on the world of online videos. Day two and three, however, are open to the general public and feature panels, meet and greets, and performances by YouTube’s most viewed creators.
As a YouTube partner myself, I was excited for the conference’s fourth year, which took place at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 1-3, attracting its biggest crowd to date with more than 10,000 attendees.
“Making videos is such a massive creative outlet, but it’s hard to jet set to different states all the time to see your YouTube friends,” said Eva Gutowski, a second-year Cal State University, Fullerton student and YouTuber. “VidCon offers a safe place for people to just hang out and strengthen bonds for an entire weekend.”
On Friday, as I stepped onto the grounds of the convention center, which were decorated with colorful lanterns and upbeat music, I immediately felt the convivial atmosphere and anticipated a weekend of pure entertainment. After making my way into the center, I realized one thing: VidCon was huge.
With a VidCon swag bag in one hand and map in the other, I explored the three levels of the convention center. The ground level’s main attraction was the Expo Hall, which featured sponsored booths. Levels two and three included large conference rooms for panels and signings.
Every hour, there were several events occurring simultaneously, which often made it overwhelmingly difficult to decide which panel or signing was more important.
The first event of my day, however, was “Watch What Happens … at VidCon” with YouTube star Tyler Oakley and Bravo’s Andy Cohen. Essentially set up like a talk show, it was a lighthearted interview with Oakley comprised of topics from twerking to One Direction’s popularity.
Next, I attended the “We Are AwesomenessTV!” panel in hopes of learning about behind the scenes production on YouTube networks and channels. The panel featured the channel’s main cast members, including Andrea Russet, Teala Dunn and Alex Goyette. However, the panel was more of a Q&A, comprised of a series of silly “Would You Rather?” questions and a lot of T-shirt throwing.
Wanting to learn more about video production, I spent the rest of the day attending more informative and educational panels such as “From Jump Cuts to Dialogue: Editing for Online Video” and “How I Make Videos,” where YouTube content creators shared their knowledge and experience in the industry.
“It has taken me over three days to edit one video. I’ve done that before,” YouTube filmmaker and panel speaker Brittani Louise Taylor said. “The important thing about YouTube is that you just keep going. Even if you hit a plateau, who knows? Your success may come later.”
Leaving one educational panel early, I headed on over to an unexpectedly large conference room for a personal meetup with popular vloggers Joey Graceffa and Sawyer Hartman. Traditionally, a “meetup” in YouTube terms means a time and place where viewers and creators can essentially meet up, take photos and spend a few moments together one-on-one. It is meant to break down the cyber wall and build a personal connection between creators and fans.
However, with the meetup set up like another Q&A, even Graceffa and Hartman seemed disappointed.
“I thought we were going to be in a room of couches and just hanging out,” they said. Nonetheless, elated to be in the proximity of their favorite YouTubers, fans were still wildly enthusiastic.
Day one ended with VidCon’s outdoor festival and concert series, starring some of YouTube’s most well-known musicians such as Kina Grannis, Julia Nunes and the Gregory Brothers.
In similar fashion, day two consisted of panels and meetups featuring a variety of YouTube vloggers, including Sam Pepper, Olga Kay and Timothy De LaGhetto. The most memorable panels of day two were “With Great Viewership Comes Great Responsibility,” which tied in philanthropy with digital media, and “Going Global: How to Find Fans Abroad,” which explored tools and promotional strategies for increasing viewership globally.
However, as the day went on and I gradually grew tired of sitting and listening to people talk, I found myself exploring the Expo Hall of sponsored booths and activities. With sponsors such as YouTube (who signed a contract to be VidCon’s major sponsor for two years), KIA Motors and bareMinerals, VidCon’s Expo Hall alone entertained many convention goers with its VidCon Quest scavenger hunt, photo booths and free makeovers.
Along with sponsored booths and stations, the Expo Hall dedicated a large area of ground to free, child-friendly activities such as a bounce house, electronic surfboard simulator and arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution and pinball.
The most exciting part of VidCon was not its commercial activities, but the opportunity for viewers to create a real-life connection with their favorite YouTubers – there is just an oddly satisfying feeling in knowing you’re near your favorite Internet star. Throughout the duration of the convention, it was not uncommon to see a popular YouTuber walk by, followed by a massive swarm of fans in pursuit of a photo with them.
Overall, VidCon was enjoyable for fans and lovers of online video. As a massive event, it gives a glimpse into the ever-growing industry and brings together thousands with the same interest in creating and watching online content. While the convention covers large ground, it is only a small fraction of what it represents: the uncountable number of online interactions made every single day.