Gianna Pileggi ’14: Brendan DeVoue ’14 has always had a knack for creating videos and making people laugh. So last year, when he heard of Vine, the popular app that allows people to create and share seven-second long looping videos, he thought it was the perfect thing for him to try.
“When I was younger, I loved making videos. At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, when I was a junior, everyone started talking about Vine and the funny videos that were on it. I downloaded the app and started looking at many of the best videos and decided to try making some on my own. At the very end of the school year, right before summer break, I made my very first video and it took off from there,” explained DeVoue.
During the summer of 2013, DeVoue took advantage of his free time by building a fan base on Vine. He made several videos per week and started to understand how to make the Vines that he would be most proud of.
“At the beginning of summer break, I figured out how to use the app and what the best ways to make videos and market them were. During the summer, I made at least one Vine per day, but now due to school related obligations, I make an average of one Vine per week and only work on them during the weekends,” stated DeVoue, “I hope to start making more soon because I have not been able to post many lately.”
DeVoue is conscious of his audience and has largely gained his success as a Viner because he creates Vines that are relatable to most people.
“My humor is different from that of many other people so I always try to make my videos relatable. You don’t have to be creative anymore to make a good Vine as long as you make one that other people can appreciate because they can relate to it,” said DeVoue.
Despite Vines only being seven seconds long, the preparation and execution of creating a successful Vine is a longer undertaking than one would expect. DeVoue explained his process when making Vines:
“If I were to make a Vine right now, I would first think of an idea. I would open the app and start shooting scenes from different angles. I would then think how to make the video as funny as possible. I would see what flows and edit it until I was sure it was perfect. To make a great Vine, you have to take as long as the Vine needs. If it takes an hour for a perfect shot to be taken, you just have to let it happen, which can be annoying. It is fun when you have a friend to make it with… My favorite Vines are the ones that I make with my friends. They are not always the best, but they are the most fun for me to watch and make.”
Photo courtesy of Brendan DeVoue ’14
DeVoue has been able to connect with many other Viners who started making videos around the same time he did. Over the months he has been a Viner, DeVoue has gained a large following, but he hopes to attract more followers in the near future.
“I have over 6,900 followers, so I’m happy with that, but it isn’t where I want to be. People who started using Vine at the same time that I did have over 100,000 followers. I hope to gain more soon and will work on doing so this summer. To be ‘Vine famous,’ one must have over 50,000 followers, so I am behind,” stated DeVoue.
DeVoue may not technically be “Vine famous” yet, but many of his Vines have been featured on the “Best Vines” Facebook page, which features Vine’s funniest or most popular clips. “My favorite Vine that I have ever made was one that made it onto the ‘Best Vines’ Facebook page. I was really happy about that and appreciated the recognition,” said DeVoue.
Although DeVoue is not planning to focus on making videos in college or as a career, he values it as a hobby. Overall, he believes becoming a Viner has been a positive experience.
“I love to express myself through Vines. It is different because no one really does it. I am just trying to do what I love. I am interested in studying medicine in college, but want to keep making videos as a hobby. It is very important to continue to do what you love.”