You've probably encountered it, video blogs, video series, video products, a lot of video-related stuff which practically hook up a lot of subscribers and views. What you probably don't know is the fact that these people, aside from gaining the ticket to stardom, from the comfort of their homes and personal studios, make money via the international audience that the internet brings.
To give you an idea, Youtube Stars like Shane Dawson make $315,000 easily a year, which roughly roughly converts PHP13.5M making videos in Youtube. You know that Annoying Orange face whenever you visit Youtube? It makes more than $200,000 per year. Those were the stats last year BTW and chances are, those figures increased drastically in a year's time. You must feel miserable right now.
Orven Desembrana is a friend of mine from college, has seen the potential of earning from doing what he likes. Now he aspires to make a name in the video publishing industry online. Back then we just normally pass by each other. He's that big guy with perfect long curly black hair dropping down from the base to his head to his shoulder.
Getting rid of the hippie look and cutting it clean, he currently does videos in both Youtube and CGE.TV as OrvenGuy, garnering eyes, building his portfolio.He then managed to lay off some of his busy time editing, to give us a couple of words.
Q: What made you want to involve yourself in publishing videos online?
A: The original plan was to create videos to entertain myself and to sharpen my video editing skills. Along with this I thought was the possibility of being discovered online. Then I got hooked with Youtube, specifically freddiew. Then I realized Filipino online community lacks the kind of “video game shorts” that freddiew has been known for and also regular content that isn’t all about singing, dancing or Pinoys just being silly on cam. Then I realized, I can do this too except with lower budget, no partners to help me with all the work, and will be applicable for international taste. (though boasting with Pinoy pride) But alas, me having almost zero budget is just a dream.
Q: Is this a hobby or a career?
A: I’m hoping to make it a career. I’m still new to this quite frankly. There are a lot to learn before I am able to reach Andrew Kramer level of expertise. And to make it a career also, I want to eventually become the first CGE Star to help inject more juice into my productions. I’ve also been dreaming of helping out the local community by teaching them even just the basics of film making. Parang ang sarap kasi ng feeling pag naging mentor ka sa mga batang gusto talaga matuto ng skills kaysa ipilit mo sa kanila dahil kailangan nila matutunan to.
Q: Now for the more important question: There is money to be made here, yes?
A: I HOPE! There are 3 ways I can think of making money out of this. First is if I become the first CGE Star; Second is if I am able to become Youtube Partner. If you haven’t been checking the news, Youtube Partnership is now open to local talents; and lastly, which might also be a long shot, is if I eventually get hired using my online portfolio that I’ll be able to build up eventually. Recently I have been hired to create a video by my clients at Assumption College and it payed quite well for a video written and shot within 24 hours. Even won some recognition at the Integrated Marketing Competition that was held at Assumption College. You can catch that video in my Youtube Channel.
Q: Is there any type of theme with the videos you are making?
A: I like to keep it outrageous, pero may certain extent lang ng pagiging outrageous na hindi na magustuhan ng mga tao. I often play with self deprecating humor with my recent videos.
Q: What is the objective in making videos?
A: My dad told me this. Your goal should be to entertain yourself first, once you entertain yourself then everyone will follow. I’m not sure if those are the exact words but the lesson stuck to me ever since.
Q: Being a Filipino in the international audience, does that have any effect?
A: Well first there’s a language barrier. But I’m hoping to break this down eventually using subtitles and creating videos in the English language. But for now, I’ll be sticking with Filipino or Taglish scripts.
Q: What's your best work at the moment?
A: I can’t really say if any of what I’ve done so far I can call best. Nakukulangan parin ako eh. But so far, the FOOD FIGHT video I made for CGE Star got the highest ratings among the judges. Got me in 4th place on the October 16, 2011 tally. Talo lang talaga sa online views and votes!
Q: Do you have a staff?
A: Nope. No regular ones at least. I grab my available friends, relatives, old classmates from their real lives time to appear and sometimes operate the camera for me. Lately I had the luck of getting an intern from Ice Cream Cake Productions, a closed group comprised of Asia Pacific College students and alumni, to work with me during some of my bigger productions. But that’s because he’s already a close friend in the first place.
Q: Who are your video (Youtube or anywhere else) heroes or models?
A: Freddiew! Coolest non-threatening Youtube action star in Youtube. He got me into dreaming to become a Youtube Partner though I do not know him closely. And for my self depriciating humor, there’s Conan O’Brien. The guy’s my ultimate source for that.
Q: So far, can you update us of your progress, upcoming projects, etc?
A: Current progress in CGE Star, I’m still kicking. That competition is fairly tough. Other aspiring CGE Stars already have their own following which translates easily to thousands of views a week. Hard to compete with them if you’re not the most popular moreno on the block. I’ve just uploaded my First Love themed video ‘Pag and Damdamin ay Inamin and still campaigning for more votes and views. There are other videos currently in production but I’m not allowed to disclose any more information on those.
As for my Youtube dream, I’m still working on it. No applications have been sent yet due to lack of original content but I am looking for musical scorers out there so we can do collaborations. I’m looking for local musicians that want to showcase their creations in my videos. Its a win-win if that happens.
Q: A tip for aspiring video publishers out there
A: Aim for the sky and keep doing what you love to entertain yourself. Sound cheesy as fuck but that’s what has been driving me to keep making these videos. CGE Star or not, I’ll still keep making content for myself, friends, and other aspiring Filipinos out there.
Q: For people interested in commissioning you for your video work, or collaborate, or simply connect and say hi, how can they contact you?
A: Feel free to contact me on my Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Youtube Channel, or plain email. Add me on everything so I can be part of your life! *creepy laugh*
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orvend
Twitter: @orvendesembrana
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Oluven
CGE Channel: http://www.cge.tv/user/orvenguy
Gmail: orvendesembrana(at)gmail(dot)com
YMail: desemberna(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)ph
Forgot to mention, my on-going battle to be the next CGE Star can be tracked by visiting my channel at CGE.TV!
awesome. added that in man. goodluck with those videos