The Balancing Work and School panel happened on Saturday of Summer in the City 2015 in Panel Room C. It featured creators including Daniel J Layton, Jenny Bingham, and Bethan Leadley. It was chaired by Chris Foxx.
Throughout the hour, the panellists discussed how they have or currently balance work and school while trying to make it on YouTube. Right off the bat, all agreed that finding time to do both things can be quiet stressful and can really take a toll on a person. However, their genuine love of the platform and creating keeps them moving forward, regardless of their hectic work schedules or outside engagements.
Still, they agreed that at times it can get to be too much, and the notion of thinking of an idea, filming, editing, and then uploading can seem completely overwhelming. Daniel J Layton, who films from his bedroom, explained that he keeps his equipment out all the time as a helpful tool to stay motivated. Although reflecting on that decision, he realised that that could potentially be problematic. “If I should ever bring a lady back to my bed, she’ll walk in and be like ‘Oh. Oh, no no no’,” he said. Daniel J Layton, porn star?
As is to be said with anything creative, Bethan Leadley observed that her ability to stay motivated and create comes in waves – both due to opportunities and a busy schedule. “I uploaded twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday, and I was like ‘Fuck yeah, I’ve got this forever’,” she said. “Nope. Now I’m struggling to upload once a week all over again. It’s just, you get into this routine and then life gets in the way.”
After being asked by an audience member if they could work full-time as a YouTuber, Siobhan McDonnell, a beauty guru from Ireland who began her channel in 2009, explained that it’s possible but absolutely petrifying. “I was so scared to leave my job in retail,” she admitted. “I didn’t know if I would be able to support myself.”
This sparked the debate on whether there is potential if you’re just starting out, to make it as a full time YouTuber. All agreed that it would be possible, it just takes more work (and luck) than before. Dan simply said that you have “to be good”, quoting his flatmate Jack Howard as saying “If you’re talented, you’ll get noticed”. Bethan attributed new success to “the right circumstances” – which could include being mentored by an already successful YouTuber. Weebl said that “if you’re motivated, you can do it”.
In the end, the panellists gave the message that while finding a balance between YouTube and work can be difficult, if you love it, it’s worth it. Plus, if you’re stressed you can always have a bath.
Photos: Nathan Li
Want more from Summer in the City 2015?
Check out our Summer in the City tag, where you’ll find all of our coverage of this year’s event.
You might also be interested in:
- Music on YouTube Panel at Summer in the City 2015
- Dealing With Trolls Panel at Summer in the City 2015
- Cereal Time at Summer in the City 2015
- Networks Panel at Summer in the City 2015
For updates follow @TenEightyUK on Twitter or like TenEighty UK on Facebook.
