It was a sad day for YouTube recently when Casey Neistat announced the end of his daily vlog. Fans expressed their sorrow but ultimately their support when in an honest outpour, Neistat thoughtfully but also lightheartedly explained that the creative challenge to upload a video every day had become a routine that evaded the initial challenge. He said, “I found a system for approaching this daily video that was no longer a challenge…the creative challenge faded away, something easier took its place.”
But he has more than earned a good break from vlogging considering his extraordinary work ethic and consistency. Casey has reliably uploaded a video every day since his first episode on March 25, 2015, totalling 490 videos. His channel has amassed over 5.7 million subscribers and his total view count has reached and toppled 1.2 billion views; making him one of the most watched YouTubers in recent history.
With his announcement I thought it’d be a good time to discuss the revolution that is the vlogging genre and the mark that Casey has left on it.
The Daily Vlog
The daily vlog was one of YouTube’s first genres. It is a first-person, documentation and commentary of the creators’ life, with content ranging from daily routine, thoughts and feelings to travel and general hi-jinx. The majority of content creators on YouTube have adopted a fun and cheery style, however, the first-person style of creation has allowed filmmakers to share more personal and intimate moments – which has proven to be an enduring value that attracts the large numbers of active and loyal audience members.
In a time when reality television was becoming increasingly less real, YouTube and its content creators provided an antidote, sharing content that was unfiltered, honest and charmingly amateurish. Audiences were craving content that was not edited and influenced by producers in suits and relished the real slice-of-life moments that made people so intriguing. These active consumers felt that they received more value from the truth in a 9-minute online video rather than a 30 minute “behind the scenes” reality show of quasi-celebrities. Audiences formed communities behind creators and shared common beliefs and values.
Casey understood the potential for sharing and community and implemented his own style. With a background in gonzo journalism and guerrilla style filmmaking, he brought with him two things; a creative and rebellious personality and a developed filmmaking style. His style didn’t feel like a one-on-one sit down and talk-about-my-life vlog. Instead, Casey was constantly on the move, often vlogging and skating at the same time, filming from taxis and airplanes. He would move between his office and home with the lively New York City and its inhabitants forming an interesting backdrop.
It was this fast-paced energy that intrigued viewers and allowed him to introduce a more interesting mode of delivery. For example, he would set up the frame, press record, leave the camera and move out of the shot just to film himself coming back in again. He would also film countless time-lapse shots of the city, and time it so that the sunset would reflect off of the buildings. The result is an organic transition between scenes and a style that was a mix between documentary and vlog. The naturalness that came from his skill was part of the reason his videos are so successful.
The other reason was his disagreement towards averageness. In an interview with Reddit, Casey says, “It wasn’t a lack of respect for authority, it was that I disagreed with the authority.” He said people would constantly be giving him instructions to an average job and an average life and if he didn’t follow these rules he was wrong. And it was this rejection of this philosophy that formed a creative rebelliousness and living in the moment lifestyle that translated well into the daily vlog format and inspired others to do what inspires them.
All in all, it was the infectiousness of his enthusiasm, his positivity towards the people that he met and his strong creative voice that made him successful. Fans should be assured that the bottom line is that Casey loves sharing and that with whatever he does next, we can expect the same level of honesty and fun.
Fascinated by video? You’ll love our recent blog This is a Viral Tribute, which discusses the success of viral YouTube videos and provides a DigiGround Mannequin Challenge for entertainment.
