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YouTube Film Critic Raises Money For Feature Film

Earlier this month Chris Stuckmann, a film critic YouTuber with nearly 2 million subscribers, launched a Kickstarter to fund a horror film he’s directing. 

Just 10 days in, he’s nearly doubled his goal, raising $430,000, and the movie has become the most-funded horror film on the platform. 

How’d he get here?

• Stuckmann has been making films since he was a teen, and started creating on YouTube in 2011 with movie review videos spanning different genres. 

• In 2013 he had his first viral video reviewing Prometheus, soon followed by popular videos like The Problem With Horror Movies Today and Batman and Robin: Hilariocity Review. 

• He’s shot two short films, Auditorium 6 in 2017 and Notes from Melanie in 2019. 

The money from his Kickstarter will go towards producing Shelby Oaks, a movie about missing paranormal investigators who were active on YouTube in the mid-2000s. Funds will also be used to document how the movie is made, with educational videos on pre-production, production, and post-production.

After reaching his initial goal the second day, he’s since made stretch goals up to $600,000 for getting a veteran named actor and adding a commentary track.

Our Take

Traditionally filmmakers make the movie and then look for the audience. Today, creators like Chris are filling the theater before they have the movie. As many creators focus on building careers that don't rely on advertising; community-funded creation will be a trend to watch.

MrBeast Goes on Joe Rogan

YouTube’s third most-subscribed U.S. creator sat down with the Spotify podcaster at his studio earlier this week. 

In true Rogan fashion, they covered everything from MrBeast’s TikTok habits to dissecting the ingredients of a Feastables chocolate bar over the course of two and a half hours.

Here are some of our favorite quotes and takeaways–

• “[When I started] I lived in a small town, I had horrible acne, was really awkward— people would've bet a million dollars that I wouldn't be a YouTuber,” MrBeast said. “But I have a hyper-obsession and I love this. Give it enough time and anyone can solve it.”

• MrBeast has over 200 million subscribers globally, and hires international celebrities to dub his videos. His next international channel will be Japan, with an Anime voice actor.

• “The idea of a video is so important. You can pull triple the views with half the work if you have better ideas.”

Our Take

This episode says more about Joe Rogan than it does about MrBeast. We wouldn't be surprised to see more YouTube creators on the show in the coming months that bring new audiences and downloads to the now paywalled podcast.

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If We Gave You $100,000 Today, What Would You Do?

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That’s where Jellysmack’s new initiative, Catalog Licensing, comes in.

Here’s how it works: Go here and connect your YouTube channel. Jellysmack’s algorithm will predict how much your YouTube library is worth over the next 5 years.

Creators who qualify will get a lump-sum payment up front that they can use to invest back into their company—whether it’s to scale their team or build out a studio.

Click here to get started with Catalog Licensing from Jellysmack.

A Twitch Streamer Joins Masterclass

Ninja, who has 17.5 million Twitch followers, is one of the first creators to join the education platform alongside notable figures like the Clintons, Christina Aguliera, and Steph Curry. 

Starting March 30th, he’ll teach a class on how to become a streamer in 30 days. The course is a part of Masterclass Sessions, a series that’s more hands on, allowing students to get feedback from the instructor, teacher’s assistants, and classmates.

Our Take

Being a creator is one of the most desirable careers with the least amount of training available. There will be no shortage of creator education programs in the future, but the ones that prioritize education through mentorship and community will be the most effective.

🔥 Press Worthy

• YouTube gives $300,000 to podcasters.

• Instagram enhances tags to better credit creators.

• TikTok launches a brobdingnagian music distribution platform.

• YouTube removes the Nelk Boys interview with Donald Trump.

• Netflix releases a show based on a TikTok trend.

• Logan Paul becomes a player in the WWE 2K22 video game.

• The Biden Administration briefs TikTok creators on the war in Ukraine.

• Embedded is a newsletter guide to what’s trending online.