You no longer need to hire a manager, use a talent agency, and attend multiple castings in order to get your big break. All you need is a webcam, Internet-access and the ability to entertain to become a social media celebrity like Tyde Levi.
That’s too easy isn’t it? Anyone can be famous now, right?
Wrong.
Never underestimate the skill involved in making these videos successful. Why don’t you try and keep the short-attention spanned, Buzz Feed addicted audience engaged for 5-10 minutes from your bedroom? How do you make someone share the video, subscribe to your channel or follow you?
Tyde Levi, 16, is one of the new wave of artists who is successful. It is nearly impossible to define the profession of these performers, so they have been termed ‘creators’. For example Tyde is a vlogger (video blogger), comedian, DJ, interviewer, cameraman… the list goes on.
The connected generation need to be multi-skilled, using multiple platforms and always in touch with what is ‘trending’. Otherwise they can become yesterday’s news.
These social media connoisseurs are more passionate and allows fans to be involved like never before, to build relationships with the people they follow.
Tyler Oakley, Mylifeseva, Kian Lawley, JC Caylen, Jamie Curry, Andrea Russet, Trevor Moran and Tyde Levi.
To anyone born before 2000, these names might not mean much. However, for the web 2.0 socially networked generation, these are some of the current most loved and influential people in the world.
All of these names will be appearing at the huge festival #AmplifyLIVE, that will be touring Australia and New Zealand. Only in its second year, but already very successful, this is a chance for Australian and New Zealand fans to get one-on-one with the biggest and brightest music and social media talents.
The performers have an insanely impressive combined following of 80 million across YouTube, Instagram, Vine, Tumblr, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter.
Tyde Levi, the social media celebrity
We were lucky enough to chat to the young, but established, Tyde Levi about his rise to online fame.
Did you ever expect that your videos would become so popular?
Not really, it was always a big dream. I never thought that it would get to this level. Now that I am here, you are always wanting more. When I was at 100 thousand I wanted 200 thousand. Now that I am at 500 thousand I want a million. I always want to get more views, follows and likes.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from anything. From watching my friends snapchat stories to seeing a funny post on tumbler or twitter. If I laugh, then I think it can be worth making a video about.
That is the hardest part of YouTube, coming up with funny and original ideas.
Do you become nervous performing in a live show such as at Amplify?
It is definitely more nerve-racking. When I film my YouTube shows I am sitting in my bedroom, being the most comfortable I could ever feel. I go on stage and see 3,000 people expecting me to do something amazing. It is more nerve-racking but it is so much fun.
It is absolutely my favourite thing to do. Like, ever.
What is your favourite thing about youtube as a medium?
YouTube it so intimate. When you are watching TV, you are watching a character who isn’t addressing the audience. On YouTube the people are talking to you, they are answering your questions on twitter. It is like an actual, real friendship. That’s what it is, it is a friendship. You aren’t watching an actor or something like that.
You are telling them what you get up to on the day, also people come out on Youtube before they come out to their friends. It is so intimate and personal.
Your brother is also a Youtube Star. Why do you think you both became successful using the same platform?
Honestly it is from our parents. They are the funniest and craziest people I have ever met- they are the ones in the middle of the dance floor dancing and singing at family events. They are so supportive. It definitely comes from them.
What is next for you?
Youtubing will eventually come to an end for me. I am focusing more on the DJ side of things, going on sets of tours and doing as much as possible to get my name out there. Producing my own music and coming out with my own music is the dream.
At Tyde’s age, with an already dedicated fan base and following and a natural gift for entertaining, we can be sure he will reach it.
MORE ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA ARTISTS:
TYLER OAKLEY (USA) – https://www.youtube.com/user/tyleroakley
JC CAYLEN (USA) – https://www.youtube.com/user/lifewithJc
KIAN LAWLEY (USA) – https://www.youtube.com/user/superkian13
JAMIE CURRY of JAMIE’S WORLD (NZ)- https://www.youtube.com/user/theJamiesWorld
ANDREA RUSSETT (USA) – https://www.youtube.com/user/GETTOxFABxFOREVER
TYDE LEVI (Perth) – https://www.youtube.com/user/tydelevi
#AmplifyLIVE
GOLD COAST – DREAMWORLD – Tuesday 5th April
MELBOURNE – PALAIS THEATRE – Thursday 7th April
ADELAIDE – THEABARTON THEATRE – Saturday April 9th
SYDNEY – BIG TOP – Tuesday April 12th
PERTH – CONCERT HALL – Thursday April 14th
The Carousel would like to thank #AmplifyLIVE for the interview with Tyde Levi.
