Many people think pure nonsense happens on the internet. That’s true, but it’s also a place
where people who wouldn’t have the resources outside of their bedroom, get to make art.
Toronto has recognized that, as last month they held their third annual Buffer Festival, a
Youtube equivalent of TIFF. Content Creators from around the world come to downtown
Toronto for a weekend in late October, show their latest work, and start a conversation with
their viewers.
Personally, I’ve been watching Youtube for around five years, and have kept up to date
with certain Content Creators, or Youtubers, as early as 2012, which is a very long time on
the Internet. I’ve gone through a few phases in that time too. I watched the side of Youtube
that catered to young girls and their need to have an adorable relatable crush, I watched the
side of Youtube that was mainly artsy and edgy content, I’ve even had my share of tutorial
videos. So I’d say I have a pretty unbiased opinion of the platform while still being aware of its
inner workings.
I actually attended the first BufferFest, and it is amazing how much it has evolved in
two years. The first one ran very smoothly for something in its first year. Tickets were simple
to purchase, you just walked over to the Tiff Bell Lightbox. There was lots of time to get a
ticket to a screening, and meet as many Youtubers as you wanted over the weekend. It was
definitely the start of something great. I did not attend the second BufferFest, so I cannot tell
you how that went, but I can say that this year was majorly different. They sold their own
tickets online months in advance, and there were so many buyers the site crashed! It was
very confusing and many people were worried they had lost their ticket. There was also a
confusing matter of how you would meet the Youtubers. I’m still not sure about it now. I
believe that if you were one of the first certain amount of ticket buyers, you would be able to
meet guests from that panel, and that panel only. Which I think is incredibly unfair as some
people have trouble scrounging up enough money for a ticket, let alone be the first one to buy
it. Or if you want to meet someone that wasn’t part of that screening, you have to be the first
one to buy tickets to two screenings? Taking up the spot of another hopeful fan? I much
prefer the old option where you stood in line at the convention centre for an hour waiting to
meet someone you admire. I understand it may be difficult on the Creators, but they do it at
three other conventions a year and keep coming back.
Much like a mainstream film festival, there is a Red Carpet event on the first night, but
the chances of meeting someone is about as common and genuine as meeting a celebrity at
any other Gala opening. And yes, they are celebrities. These Content Creators have
thousands, sometimes millions watching their videos every day, and just because people are
watching them on a website, and not a TV does not make them any less valid.
I did not get to attend any screenings this year, as I did not buy any tickets, but I did get
to talk to a couple of Youtubers the day before the madness of the festival started.
I first talked to Bryarly Bishop, who is someone I had the pleasure of meeting the first
year of Buffer. We talked about Youtube, and her career in music. Bryarly actually hasn’t
uploaded a non-music related video in over a year, and when I asked her about it, it turns out
Youtube isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t forever.
“It’s funny actually, I don’t consider myself part of the community. This is my last convention, I want to focus more on music and not the fun hobby that youtubing used to be. I’m actually slowly deleting all my old videos and I’m just going to upload music videos on the channel in the future.” confessed Bryarly.
Totally understandable, there comes a point in a person’s life where they don’t have time to do the
things they enjoy, or lose interest in things they used to enjoy. I look forward to her releasing
new music which she said she hoped to be coming out in the summer, but until then, I will
continue to listen to her self titled album, which you can find on bandcamp and itunes.
I then had the pleasure of talking to Liam Dryden, an old school Youtuber who had his
hand in creating the enormous Youtube convention in London, England, Summer In The City.
I asked him about the differences between Buffer and SITC, and this is what he had to say.
“Yes, well, they are different. SITC is more about meeting the creators, while Buffer is,
y’know, showing the content, like real movies, that sort of thing. Which is really cool. It’s nice
to have the hard work showcased and discussed.”
Speaking of content, I razzed him about not uploading in over a year as well, It is difficult to keep up with the demand for video
making. Writing, filming, and editing a video every week is extremely difficult, especially when
you already have a full time job. Liam still manages to keep active in the Youtube community,
making content for a Buzzfeed-esque website involved in covering pop culture, including
youtube news.
It was lovely chatting with them and I hope to see them again next year. Fingers
crossed I actually get tickets. Until then, I’ll just keep watching them on Youtube.
Listen to the full Podcast interview on The Scope CJRU Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/scopeatryerson/live-with-juanita-buffer-festival?in=scopeatryerson/sets/live-with-juanita