We’re three weeks into the semester, and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling a little bit overwhelmed by all the readings and looming assignments. You could probably use a break, and one of my tried-and-true procrastination methods is the video essay. You’ll feel productive and be entertained! What more could you want?
- Drew Gooden – “The Death of Laugh Tracks”
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Drew’s mostly known for his commentary videos and that one vine, but his forays into the video essay format have been just as entertaining as the rest of his work.
- Jack Saint – “Violence is Funny: A Re-Evaluation of Cop Media”
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This timely video explores the copaganda (police propaganda) that is ingrained in our society. It’s also a good place to start reevaluating the media you consume!
- Sarah Z – “The Musical Episode”
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The phenomenon of the musical episode in television is one that has been cropping up for decades. What makes a musical episode good? Why are so many of them cringy and bad?
- Big Joel – “Shark Tale: The Trash Era of Dreamworks”
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Joel’s videos run on the shorter side, but boy does he have an endless catalogue of them to explore. This one is the first in a series that looks at the DreamWorks movies from our childhoods that were absolutely terrible, yet extremely memorable.
- Lindsay Ellis – “The Hobbit: A Long-Expected Autopsy”
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No video essay recommendation list is complete without Lindsay Ellis. In this video series, you’ll learn all about the long and frustrating production of The Hobbit movies and why they don’t quite live up to the standard set by the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Once you’ve exhausted this list, make sure to check out our previous video essay recommendations, or check out the videos on our YouTube channel!