Vlogumentary! A Review

After 3 long years, Vlogumentary is out! Now for those of you who may not know, Vlogumentary is a youtube documentary about well.. vlogging (video blogging). Three years ago, Shay Butler (Shaytards) and Corey Vidal (ApprenticeA Productions) came up with an idea to create a documentary about vlogging and the stories of the people who started the game. An Indiegogo campaign was created, the funds were raised, and Corey and his team did a road trip around the United States filming for this project. Originally, they wanted to do it and have it done in a year. It took three. Eventually, Morgan Spurlock and his team came in and finished the project. It was released today on Youtube Red, and I have to say, it was worth the wait! I have been waiting excitedly for this day to come, and also a bit nervous. But my expectations were blown out of the water! There were a couple of things that bugged me a tiny bit but overall, I really really enjoyed Vlogumentary (and let me tell you, the positives of the film outweigh the negatives)

POSITIVES!

There are so many positives for me! First off, I think the story was brilliantly told. I think it showed the evolution of vlogging from the beginning to where it is now and how it has grown. I think that each of the stories that had gotten told throughout the documentary were well thought out. It flowed well between the stories and everybody's journey through vlogging. I think it helps convey the massive impact that these youtubers have on viewers lives and it helps show how youtube has become as big as it is.

Originally, I was going to list Gaby Dunn in my negatives. I knew she was from Buzzfeed (because I had seen some of her videos from there) but when it was announced that her story was being told, I was confused. I didn't really understand why she was being included. But after watching Vlogumentary, I get it now. She is a vlogger, maybe not in the type of vlogging that I enjoy, but I know that there are different types of vlogging and I know (now especially) that she is a vlogger. I liked that they included her in this because it shows that not every youtuber is as rich as people would like to think. I liked that we were shown that she does work other jobs to try and make ends meet while making videos. I relate to that because I'm a painting major at school. I know that I'm going to have to be working other jobs until I really start to consistently sell artwork. So I was able to relate to her...

Also I felt that the evolution of the documentary felt natural. It took 3 years to be completed and I know that I am so very grateful for that length of time. There are a lot of things in there that wouldn't have been included if they really did complete it in a year!

NEGATIVES!

I really only have two negatives! First one is (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong and just missed something...) I really wish we had seen more of the "Where are they now" type things. We know where Shay and his family are now and what has happened with them, and how Charles is now engaged for the second time. But I want to know... Where is Alli Speed? What is she up to? (I mean, I do follow her vlogs but you know... I wish she had been included a tiny bit more at the end instead of just a couple of clips from her vlogs). I just want to know a bit more about where everyone is now in their lives and how their youtubing has changed since the beginning of this project.

Second! I wish that there was more inclusion of the original footage show. I follow the ApprenticeA vlogs (ApprenticeEh) and I followed the road trip journey. I wish more of that footage had made it in. I kind of want to know what Shay's childrens' interviews ended up being like. I want to know what his parents and siblings said. What did Charles' parents say? What about Alli Speed's parents? What about We The Kings? I know they got interviewed... (PLEASE NOTE! This is a minor negative for me because I understand that not all the footage could make it in otherwise it'd probably be 6+ hours long XD Not hating! I'm just curious)

All in all, it blew my mind. I laughed, and I cried. It was a journey for everyone and I'm glad that this story was told as well as it was. :) I tip my hat to Shay and Corey for starting this. I tip my hat to Corey and his team for spending 3+ months traveling in a giant van, doing the original filming instead of being at home in the magical land of Canada. I tip my hat to everyone involved because I think this is a story that needs to be told and everyone worked together to get it told. I loved it. I know I'll end up watching it over and over again for years to come and I'm thrilled that I was able to help in a very small way and be apart of it in a tiny way :)