The Creative Process panel took place on Saturday at Summer In The City 2015. It featured creators including Dan Howell, Phil Lester and Benjamin Cook. It was chaired by Jamie Paul.
A packed out Panel Room A saw Jamie Paul, Dan Howell, Phil Lester, Benjamin Cook, Arden Rose, Jamie Jo, Mikey Bolts & Josh Leyva, who all specialise in different types of YouTube video, talk about the creative process. The group discussed at length the varying ways they came up with their concepts for content, their sources of inspiration, and how they have developed as creators.
Arden said that the majority of her videos are completely unscripted, while other members of the panel said they have more of an idea of what they are going to do before starting filming. All members of the group acknowledged however that there has been a level of development and change within their videos throughout their time as YouTube creators.
“I want to keep doing things that other people won’t expect,” said Ben. He also said that the people he tries to impress most are his friends. “It makes a huge difference when my friends, like Jack Howard or Dan, like the video I’m making”.
When the floor was opened up to the audience, a lot of questions centered around where the creators found the inspiration for their videos.
The panellists cited a diverse range of influences, from Comedy Central to fellow YouTubers such as Olan Rogers. Arden in particular stated at several points that she is heavily influenced by the YouTubers around her, including those whose content isn’t in the same vein as her own.
The discussion moved on to when does being inspired cross the line and become copying. “Its about where you take something, not where you take it from,” said Ben.
Phil, who started several tag videos (including the 7 Second Challenge, which has just been turned into an app), said: “I think you just have to be flattered that someone liked your idea enough to recreate it.” Dan added: “In our vlogging culture, a lot of it is people assume that everything is a tag, and therefore everything is up for grabs.”
“People can take ideas and change them,” said Phil. “As long as they change it enough to make it their own thing, or credit the person in the description and say ‘hey! I was inspired by this person’ then I’m totally fine with it.”
Photos by: 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. Also, why not take a look back at our Photo Recaps from Friday, Saturday and Sunday?
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– Ethnicity & Diversity Online Panel at Summer in the City 2015
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