What was your goal with your video?
My goal in the video was to vlog my pets. I wanted to do a fun vlog that would not just center around me talking to a camera about random things. So, I decided that I would involve my pets in a vlog.
Did you accomplish your goal? Why? Or why not?
I was able to successfully accomplish my goal. In the end I decided to make my entire vlog about my animals, and I am very happy with the results.
What would you do differently next time?
Next time I would like to add in my other family members’ pets, such as my grandmother’s birds. She has a lot of birds so I think it would be fun to do a video on all her birds and a video on her garden where she keeps those birds.
Do you think you’ll ever vlog again?
I honestly do not know the answer to that question. I have always wanted to try YouTube, but I really hate videotaping myself. I do not think I would be able to handle editing my own videos and having to repeatedly listen to my own voice. It was a fun project, but I think for now I will just stick with art videos where I do not have to speak or show my face.
Who is your favorite YouTuber? (not counting heyit’smay, Emma Chamberlain, Natalie Tran, or any of the YouTubers on this page)
One of my favorite YouTubers (who I also take a lot of inspiration from) is the YouTuber known as BestDressed. She runs a fashion/vlog channel where she posts a lot about fashion and thrifting videos. Her videos on styling thrifted outfits are typically my favorites.
What about their work appeals to you?
I love her work for a lot of different reasons, it is kind of hard to name every reason. But to name a few, I enjoy her aesthetic, personality, and overall content. It is hard to explain her aesthetic, but I really enjoy the style of her videos and how she edits her videos. I also love the content of her videos; if I didn’t then I probably would not be watching her. Her content also includes other fun side vlogs in addition to her usual fashion content.
What lessons can you take from their work to apply to your own vlogging?
One of her tips that I already incorporated in my vlog was the hand-drawn transitions. In one of her videos, she recommended that for using text in videos, you should try to draw them by hand to add to the aesthetic of a video. She also suggested to add two different frames to make the text move around (as it did in my vlog). I really liked that tip, so I used a sketch app on my phone to draw out my transitions then later inserted them into the video.
What is Authenticity?
I believe authenticity means showing personality aspects that are true of oneself without being influenced by other motives such as “fitting in.” Being authentic can simply mean not trying to be a follower of a something just because it is popular, or because it is a trend. I believe it can also be a form of “being yourself” despite any negative feedback or despite being different from the rest of society. Authenticity does not involve trying to be someone else, or faking aspects of one’s personality.
What is Performance?
I believe performance means it is an act, or it is something that is pre-planned, and can be rehearsed and recited multiple times. In a way performance is also for done for attention and/or done for an audience.
Are Authenticity and Performance opposites? Or can they exist together? Explain!
I believe that authenticity and performance can be opposites and can also exist together; it just depends on the situation. They are opposites of each other because in most cases, performance usually means loss of authenticity because once the prosses of developing a performance begins, it is no longer a personal and unique (authentic) interaction. Now it is only a preplanned performance piece. However, in some cases they can exist together because a performance can be based off of ones’ authenticity. For example, some influencers go on tours and each stop is like a live talk between the influence and the fans; making each interaction more authentic.
Below are 2 clips of Jennifer Aniston on the Jimmy Kimmel show – one in the studio and one from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Do you think either clip is more authentic? Is either more performative? Why or why not?
After watching the two clips, I think that both clips are in some way authentic. Aniston’s personality does not seem to change drastically between the two clips; however, at home she visibly looks more comfortable. I believe that the setting is what causes her to shift a little because in a studio, it requires a more professional attitude than when at home. Some aspects of the clips can also be more performative, such as her choice of clothing between the two clips. The video in the studio needed a fancier outfit, while in the video from home, Aniston is just in normal clothing. Because her personality does not drastically shift while comparing the two clips, it shows that she is still trying to be authentic in both situations. However, the video in the studio is more perfomative because it was a scripted show with pre-planned segments and certain “professional norms” that needed to be followed.
Brianna 