Rate Comment Subscribe: An Interview with Julian Smith

We’ve covered both remixes and mash-ups here on ‘RCS’. What better to do next then look at some all around original performers/directors on YouTube? Now it wasn’t posted here on NK, but if you ventured around Facebook, you might have seen a link on your friends’ status. When clicked, it lead you to a YouTube video called “25 Things I Hate About Facebook“. Being brutally honest, it attracted a lot of attention, even ours. In a follow up, I decided to ask the creator of the video a few questions. This is a Q&A with Julian Smith.

NK: We’d like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. First, How did you get into directing/making videos?

Julian: No problem – glad to help! I got started making videos with my friends when I was 12 years old. Soon thereafter I started getting job offers and getting hired for freelance work. I’ve been doing film full-time for 6 years now and I’m loving every second of it!

NK: When did you start posting videos on YouTube?

Julian: I’ve had a YouTube account for years now but never really used it consistently. It wasn’t until September of last year (2008) that I got really dedicated to releasing content on a regular basis.

NK: One of your more recent videos was “25 Things I Hate about Facebook“. Since posted, it has gotten over 500,000 views. How did you come up with this idea?

Julian: It’s a pretty funny story, actually. The idea for 25 Things I Hate About Facebook just kind of popped into my head last minute. I had the idea on a Monday evening… so I called some friends, packed up my gear, and we filmed that same night from 10:00 PM until 4:00 AM the next morning. I went home and immediately began editing the footage.

NK: What would you consider inspiration for creating your style of videos?

Julian: I find inspiration in a lot of things: watching a great movie, talking with a friend, even staring at a blank page and knowing I can’t leave until it’s full… I believe God uses various things to inspire various people, whether or not we credit him.

Julian Smith's YouTube Page as of 03/07/09 ~ Video: Get Your Own iPhone Ep 2

NK: What is the most time it’s taken to make a video?

Julian: I directed/filmed/edited a music video for recording artist, Marc Scibilia in January 2008 – the song was called Hope Anthem, and the music video took me over 300 shooting/editing hours to create. The concept for the video was to clone the artist several times on screen to make it appear that he was playing every instrument heard in the song, and also get him interacting/switching instruments with himself (his clones). This was especially difficult because I wanted the video to be all one take – no cuts, or angle changes. This meant that each time we filmed the artist playing a different instrument everything had to be perfect – nothing on set could move or even be bumped, and the timing of every move the artist made was choreographed to a tee. It’s kind of hard to describe with words – you can see the music video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jClDXAv7BUM — Marc has become a good friend of mine and we’ve been in production on a new music video that is scheduled for release in the next couple months.

NK: A lot of your videos seem to have the smooth black background. Where do you commonly shoot these videos?

Julian:. My update videos are filmed all over the place… sometimes even in different parts of the country. It just depends on where I am at the time. I have a black backdrop that I set up wherever I can when I need to film. It’s a pretty portable setup.

NK: Out of everything currently on your account, which video is your favorite? Least favorite?..If you have one.

Julian: I would have to say I’m pretty excited about the Get Your Own iPhone series I’ve been working on for a while now. They’re turning out to be pretty funny and I’ve been fortunate to connect with some great new actors/actresses. I’m also happy with how most of the episodes look from a photography standpoint. The look and feel plays a big part in whether or not I’m happy with something I’ve created.

NK: Anything else you would like to tell your fans/subscribers?

Julian: The response I’ve been getting lately is incredible. I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing my videos with your friends! I feel a great momentum building and it’s because of you that it’s happening! I can post videos all day long but if you all aren’t watching them, they’re pointless. Thank you all so much!

Again, we thank you for helping us out with this Julian. We encourage all readers to subscribe to him on Youtube, and check out his new “Get Your Own iPhone” series. It’s currently on Episode 2 (out of 3) and absolutely hilarious. You can also keep up regularly by bookmarking Julian’s official blog. Think there’s an account that should be featured on RCS? Send us an email (opens up) and we’ll check it out. Until next time, enjoy surfing the web.

-Justin “The Pepsi Plunge” Verterano-