A new week begins, but before we go full throttle into it, lets look back at some of the best videos from last week. We must admit picking just five was difficult because YouTube seemed to be bursting at the seams with entertaining British content. Somehow we’ve managed it and hopefully we won’t have too many restless nights worried we picked wrong.
JAMIE PAUL – TINDER AUGMENTED REALITY
Jamie Paul is a London-based comedian who’s popped up in a lot of your favourite YouTubers’ videos over the last year. He’s naturally funny, very witty and not bad to look at either. In this video he takes a simple concept – Tinder in real life – and executes it masterfully featuring beautiful shots, snazzy graphics and familiar faces.
It stars Laurbubble, who we featured on the round-up recently, slapping her way through Tinder. Her victims? The smiling faces of Liam Dryden, Ciaran O’Brien, Hayden Hiller-Smith, Michael Dean and Jamie himself. Also, it’s worth noting that Michael Dean, a filmmaker who’s been part of the community behind-the-scenes for yonks now, posted his first vlog this week. Both are definitely worth checking out.
ANAVAE – JOLENE BY DOLLY PARTON COVER
Rebecca Need-Menear is one of YouTube’s rising talents, who has seen a lot of success recently with her band Anavae. As the band takes off, however, Rebecca keeps her YouTube fan-base involved, and this is one of their tasty treats: an acoustic cover of Jolene by Dolly Parton, showing off the pure energy of her vocal ability.
This re-imagining takes a song that is traditionally quite upbeat, and pulls the focus back onto its woeful lyrics. This is amplified by the skill of Anavae’s guitarist and the stripped-back production. To top it off Rebecca is a master at looking solemn and pensive. What? That’s not a dig, we mean it! It really adds to the atmosphere.
CHRISTY MEAPE & FINLEY JOHN – A CASE OF SLOW INTERNET
http://youtu.be/ZHUK0z7ZCTA
Christy Meape and Finley John, who upload to MrMeapzy, are two young aspiring comedians with bundles of talent waiting to be hatched. In this video, they tackle a relatable issue we all know and hate – slow internet. To be honest, we’re not sure what’s going on half the time, but as the video descends into madness it becomes apparent how much the duo have put into it.The amount of makeshift cardboard props and inanimate talking objects featured could give Crabstickz a run for his money.
They’ve built their own little mad universe, akin to the Mighty Boosh world, but a low-rent budget version. And we mean that as a compliment: often on YouTube the more ratchet it is, the funnier the content. There are a few moments which maybe go on a little too long (they beat up a WiFi box for about a minute…) and the sound editing could be better, but stick with it because it’s a bizarre and rewarding watch.
ALEX THOMAS – HOW TO DANCE
Alex Thomas gets all suited and booted for his school prom, but first, he wants his subscribers to swoon over his sick dancing. He’s got guts, and whilst the video is intended to make us laugh, we actually found ourselves in awe of how many moves he can bust. He actually pulls off every routine he attempts with a cheeky glint in his eyes (well, maybe not twerking).
Whether you end up watching the video because he’s amusing, or because he’s a handsome guy in a suit – or you’re just one of those mean people waiting for him to fall over – you’ll end up mesmerised. We’re jealous he’s not our date to our next ball.
CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER – A CHAT WITH CARRIE
Carrie Hope Fletcher has had some tough times recently, being accused of victim blaming being one of them, and this has made her very reflective. Benjamin Cook interviews her, in the hopes of showing the person behind the videos. As Carrie explains in the description, she’s “not a perfect person” nor does she want “a video that shows [her] in a perfect light.”
Although it’s a lengthy watch, it is thought-provoking. Ben knows when and where to push, but never presses too hard, leading to honest and raw reactions from her. Also, the wider discussions at play – gatherings, fan/creator relationships, how creators portray themselves in videos and much more – are relevant and relatable to everyone within the YouTube community.
GIMMIE GIMME MORE!
We try our hardest at TenEighty not to feature ‘big YouTubers’ all the time, however Dan Howell and Phil Lester did upload two awesome videos that really made us chuckle. Dan reveals that he talks to himself showing a slightly unhinged side of him, whilst Phil gives us a tour of his old computer stumbling over files he’d forgotten about.
YouTube’s king of dry British humour Khyan Mansley returned with a satirical yet disturbing Game of Thrones audition tape. And Ed Stockham, child’s imaging of the second coming of Jesus, responded to PJ Liguori’s Fantastic Monster Tag in a nonsensical and self-deprecating short with little context or explaining. So like most things he creates.
So what do you think? Did we miss something from last week? Let us know in the comment below, and make sure you follow us on Twitter so you can shout your suggestions for the next round-up at us.
