YouTube is reshaping the filmmaking scene, empowering a new generation of creators to experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of filmmaking.
Remember when YouTube was just for funny cat videos? Those days are long gone—the video platform is now a full-on playground for filmmakers pushing creative boundaries. YouTube’s not just influencing filmmaking; it’s flipping the entire process on its head. From micro-movies to interactive storytelling, it’s where video creators are breaking the rules, shaking up the status quo, and redefining what it means to make a film. So, how exactly is YouTube changing the game for filmmakers? Let’s dig in and find out!
The democratization of filmmaking
Once upon a time, making a film meant big budgets, huge crews, and all the stress that comes with studio backing. Today, all you need is a smartphone and a killer idea. YouTube’s accessibility has made it a breeding ground for fresh, fearless filmmakers to experiment with storytelling, tech, and creative experiments without the weight of traditional demands.
And the best part? It’s opened the doors for diverse voices to finally get their stories out there. Filmmakers from all walks of life can now take the spotlight, flipping the narrative on what gets seen and heard. YouTube has basically rewritten the rules of how stories are shared, watched, and loved.
The rise of the DIY filmmaker
One of YouTube’s biggest flexes in the filmmaking world? The rise of the DIY vibe. Creators are out here making magic with next to nothing—minimal gear, tight budgets—and still racking up views in the thousands (or millions!). It’s flipped the script on what we consider “quality.” Now, authenticity is king, and people are more drawn to raw, real content than slick, high-production stuff (though a bit of polish never hurts, right?).
Take Casey Neistat, the first vlogger. Armed with just a point-and-shoot camera, he blew up with iPod’s Dirty Secret, calling out Apple for their lack of battery replacements. His scrappy, no-frills approach didn’t just make waves – it kicked off an entire vlogging revolution.
One of YouTube’s biggest influences on filmmaking is how the DIY aesthetic has been embraced. YouTube creators quite often work with minimal equipment and resources, but they’re producing content that’s a hit with thousands, or even millions, of people. This has shifted what we think of as quality, and now authenticity is frequently ranked over production values (though they are still important!).
After that, Neistat created daily vlogs and became a pioneer in blending DIY techniques with cinematic storytelling. This has influenced other filmmakers and made them realize that short-form filmmaking is a viable industry.
Cinema on a budget
YouTube wasn’t just a great platform for new filmmakers to showcase their wares, it was also a place to learn how to make great movies on a shoestring. From simple techniques through to fancier things like drone footage and colour grading, creators are constantly finding and teaching new ways to get cinematic techniques into work without breaking the bank.
Channels like Film Riot specialise in tutorials for filmmakers to help them get professional-looking effects using affordable equipment and software.
How YouTube is shaping new narratives
Short and mid-form video: Less is more
On YouTube, attention spans are short, with people preferring to watch videos around 8-15 minutes long. Video makers have mastered the art of telling compelling stories, or explaining complicated information in just a few minutes, sometimes even seconds! Here are some key stats on ideal video lengths from Early Light Media.
- Snippets of information, funny things, or teasers: 15 seconds
- Vertical video explainers, or demos: 60 seconds
- Giving more in-depth information or telling a great story: 5-10 minutes
- DIY projects and case studies – 10-20 minutes
Interactive storytelling
YouTube has turned passive viewers into active participants and creators are increasingly experimenting with interactive storytelling, with audiences influencing the direction of the narrative.
The Game Theorists engage their audience with interactive content, and weave their theories into the video narratives, making them part of the storytelling process.
This interactivity has translated to the filmmaking industry itself, sometimes in the form of fan campaigns or entire movies based on internet trends and meme culture.
YouTube as the modern filmmaker’s portfolio
YouTube has become a place for discovering new talent, and many creators go from there to more mainstream media and filmmaking. Take Bo Burnham for example. He started doing comedy song snippets on YouTube and went on to sign with Comedy Central and do a full album, plus numerous comedy specials.
“YouTube’s low barrier to entry has enabled a broad and diverse group of creators to reach a vast audience. Without the gatekeeping of traditional producers/studios, YouTube is defined by rapid film-making innovation. This has led to the emergence of creative new editing styles but also driven a relentless pursuit of engagement at any cost. The line between something being clickable and clickbait is thin and subjective.”
Joel Bankhead, Envato Tuts + Video Manager
Testing ideas and building audiences
One of YouTube’s greatest strengths is that it lets creators test ideas. They can experiment with different styles, genres, and formats, and then get immediate feedback from a global audience. This means channels can refine their work and work on building a fanbase before taking on bigger projects. No need to get approval from financial backers or studio execs, filmmakers can just go for it!
How to build a YouTube audience
Whether making short films, vlogs, or tutorial videos, YouTube connects filmmakers directly with viewers who share the same passions and interests. Here are some tips to help build those up.
- Start small. Every successful YouTuber started with just one subscriber so don’t be discouraged by small beginnings. Focus on creating content that you’re passionate about, and let your authenticity shine through. As you continue to upload, your audience should grow organically.
- Be niche. YouTube’s user base means there’s an audience for just about every niche you can think of. Whether you’re into sci-fi short films, food-based documentaries, or animated storytelling (link here to recent article?), you can find your tribe. Building a community around a specific interest or style means you can really become a hit with people who share your enthusiasm.
- Engage. Interaction is the foundation of building an audience on YouTube. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and get your viewers involved in the creative process. This isn’t just to build a connection, it should also help you have a clearer idea of what your audiences wants.
YouTube’s ongoing impact
Filmmakers are increasingly using YouTube to build an audience and generate buzz before releasing their work on other platforms, like streaming services, or even theatrical releases. Consider using YouTube to showcase trailers, behind-the-scenes content, or even exclusive teasers to build anticipation for a larger release.
YouTube is more than just a platform; it’s a community. Collaboration between creators (see Ten Hundred’s collabs below, for example) is really common and can lead to a great blend of different styles and genres. This influences traditional filmmaking by encouraging cross-genre projects and creative partnerships that offer new opportunities for storytelling.
”It’s hard for people to pin down what YouTube is. It’s not social media. It’s not home videos. It’s not news, TV, movies, radio, or a search engine. It’s not an influencer destination, a DIY source, or the repository of all recorded human history. It’s all of those things.”
Alex Winter, for Rolling Stone
YouTube as a curator
It’s not talked about quite so often as the other things we’ve covered, but YouTube’s influence on filmmaking also lies in its curation—in fact, it’s one of the most influential platforms for film curation. Channels like Lessons from the Screenplay have breakdowns of films, scenes, or even specific shots, to help explain explain filmmaking techniques, themes, and storytelling methods.
Quite often, these channels highlight films that might otherwise go unnoticed, and they cover both classic and contemporary work. This encourages viewers to think critically about what they watch and to look for films that challenge or expand their perspectives. This can have an impact on filmmaking, too—we need to know and understand techniques before we use or break them!
YouTube’s algorithm also shapes film culture. For cinephiles, the recommendation engine can introduce obscure films, directors, and genres that fit their interests, broadening their cinematic horizons!
YouTube also hosts a lot of independent films, documentaries, and short films that might not have found, or ever find, a home on traditional streaming services. These can reach audiences through recommendations, playlists, or curated content by YouTube channels dedicated to indie cinema, like the ones we’ve mentioned.
YouTube’s continued influence on filmmaking
YouTube’s influence on filmmaking is undeniable, from enabling people of all budgets and skill levels to have a platform, to introducing new techniques and styles that are impacting the industry. For so many filmmakers (and aspiring ones!) YouTube is an unparalleled way to explore creativity, test out new ideas, and connect with a global audience.
If you’re looking to get started on YouTube or increase the audience of your existing channel, why not up your game by learning about how to create great video thumbnails, YouTube monetization strategies, and YouTube’s demonetization rules? Check out the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel for more tips and tricks.
