The biggest YouTuber of all time is changing things in a small eastern North Carolina town. So how much of an effect can an online celebrity have in a real life city?
My son has worked as a videographer and production assistant on several MrBeast projects. He reports that as fun-filled as many of his stunts appear, there is a dark, contentious atmosphere during many of the productions. I think there is such a thing as getting too big, too fast in any industry, but a YouTube "creator" in his early twenties with the adulation of a population the size of the US? That generates a whole other level of hubris.
One thing I need to stress is that the dark side of tension-filled acrimonious productions mentioned in the episode and by Stuart W. In his comment are in NO WAY unique to Mr. Beast and his organization. It’s not like he’s a bad person to work for and all other productions are friendly. Almost every single shoot with a sizable production budget is like this.
I speak from experience. For many years I was an advertising producer shooting with well-know directors in New York and LA. I’ve seen production people quit on the spot because the pressure was too great. And many people burn out quickly in the industry.
Jeremy even hit on this in the episode. With union filming in established production centers there are many protections that came about because of years of abuse. The creator economy hasn’t developed these formal protections yet. I highly doubt Mr. Beast’s workforce is unionized.
I am in no way defending Mr. Beast nor accusing him of anything. I don’t know enough about him, the way he runs a set, or his management style. My point here is simply that big-budget filming, the likes of which Mr. Beast does all the time, is inherently an incredibly high-stress, combative, and burn-out prone environment, even on the best productions with the nicest directors.
My son has worked as a videographer and production assistant on several MrBeast projects. He reports that as fun-filled as many of his stunts appear, there is a dark, contentious atmosphere during many of the productions. I think there is such a thing as getting too big, too fast in any industry, but a YouTube "creator" in his early twenties with the adulation of a population the size of the US? That generates a whole other level of hubris.
I really enjoyed this podcast, thanks Jeremy.
One thing I need to stress is that the dark side of tension-filled acrimonious productions mentioned in the episode and by Stuart W. In his comment are in NO WAY unique to Mr. Beast and his organization. It’s not like he’s a bad person to work for and all other productions are friendly. Almost every single shoot with a sizable production budget is like this.
I speak from experience. For many years I was an advertising producer shooting with well-know directors in New York and LA. I’ve seen production people quit on the spot because the pressure was too great. And many people burn out quickly in the industry.
Jeremy even hit on this in the episode. With union filming in established production centers there are many protections that came about because of years of abuse. The creator economy hasn’t developed these formal protections yet. I highly doubt Mr. Beast’s workforce is unionized.
I am in no way defending Mr. Beast nor accusing him of anything. I don’t know enough about him, the way he runs a set, or his management style. My point here is simply that big-budget filming, the likes of which Mr. Beast does all the time, is inherently an incredibly high-stress, combative, and burn-out prone environment, even on the best productions with the nicest directors.
I'm amused every time I drive by the buses (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EuM19Soj86q2RrEw5) from his jet car jump video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rri83pDN6kc