I remember being bored one day, just browsing YouTube for a video to watch. I can’t remember the exact video it was but I remember clicking on a video essay out of curiosity and watched it. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my descent into the rabbit hole that isvideo essays and commentary YouTube channels. And down the rabbit hole I went.
Since then, I have subscribed to different creators like James Somerton and Miiasaurous. I didn’t think I would be able to watch video essays since they’re too long and I have a very short attention span. I usually skip through parts when watching a show when I want to progress through some plot. I was quickly proven wrong, because I got entranced by the person’s body language and personality.
One of the reasons I like to watch these types of videos is because of the personality the creator have while filming. If they sound genuinely interested and passionate about their video topic , it immediately garners my attention. The creators are all so different in the way they present themselves. People could be talking about the same topic, but they add their opinions toit so there won’t be too much repetition. They could keep it serious or add some comedic moments to their wording.
I also think the fact that most of the video essays I watch are more entertainment focused and have topics I’m interested in isone of the reasons why I like them. I know there are various types of video essays out there that cater to different people. They’re not like the videos students are forced to watch for assignments but rather focused on things I like. Just yesterday, I watched a video byJames Somerton about Disney and their problem with LGBTQ representation and I love how well put together it was and how well spoken he was about the topic at hand.
Video essays are also good for something to listen to when you need background noise. I remember seeing the thumbnail of the five hour Victorious video essay going around on Twitter about how one artist said they enjoyed it because it was good for background noise when they draw. I do something similar to that. Whenever I do homework or have to type something up, I like to pull up one of these videos on my desktop to watch or listen to while I work. It’s become quite a habit for me to do.
Overall, I think video essays are very nice to watch and listen to. They look a bit lengthy upon first glance, but I like to think it’s worth it. I learn a lot more about pop culture in these videos than I would have on Twitter. If you haven’t watched any, you should try it out. There’s a variety of different video essays to choose from.
Let us know about your favorite video essays @HerCampusSJSU!