I was trying to record a video type thing today on the subject but it wasn't coming out right. I still wanted to get the information out there though and mayhaps get out a few of my own thoughts. In so doing I hope that my words might also give you an inside look at the goings on at Vidcon!
I understand that some of you may choose not to read this post... especially if it doesn't pertain to you... but I would say to at the very least, at least pay attention to the event as it is a rapidly growing reality that might just be important to you!
Vidcon is an annual meeting of the YouTube community. It's not the only one... but it's one of, if not the most, well known. The event has become consecutively larger each year with more in attendance from those who enjoy watching YouTube videos to those who are known for making them!
The whole affair is about three days with an option to participate in an extra day at Disneyland (Price not Included in your ticket) and options to purchase either a Community Pass or an Industry Pass (Which could help you if you're getting into YouTube for more than just some fun).
I have to say, I went last year and I... well, I didn't have a great time! Yeah, it was nice to get out in the world and go somewhere else... but I was lead to believe that it would be easier to make like minded connections than it was. Most of that is surely my fault, but one thought that occurs to me... don't go alone! Whether you have to talk a friend into going or you introduce yourself to a like-minded YouTuber whom you plan to meet up with, being by yourself for the whole event will not make you happy!
This is especially true if you are not of the "proper" age. There is no specific age for folks to be.... I think you have to be over 13 but other than that... no real restriction. Since the majority of people who will be interested in YouTube are teens, you may or may not be in the "it" crowd. Most of the popular YouTubers are 20+ though and seem like great people to hang out with... but getting past the teenage crowd is nigh on impossible and the YouTubers don't really have a lot of time to dilly dally. They're probably busier than you!
There is a concert at night that your ticket gets you into at night and there are panels throughout the day to keep you occupied but if you're not great at making new friends on the fly, it's probably best to communicate with others beforehand and set up a meet... if possible!
This year, Vidcon is being held at the end of June... which I dislike. It's not a big deal when it's being held... I think it is normally held at the end of June. However, last year it was held at the beginning of August, which I liked better for some reason...
Either way it doesn't seem like I'll be able to go. I don't have the funds for it and I really don't know if I can put together enough for it before tickets completely sell out! There is more than the cost of a ticket to consider... there's food, souvenir's, parking plus hotels and other travel expenses to consider.
I don't have too much to worry about in that department as I only live about 20 minutes away and could easily drive there (Although gas prices aren't doing me any favors there!) I am considering going and just holding my own little unofficial something outside... I just feel that I'd probably be alone by myself watching all the happy people and not being able to do much. Plus, security might make me leave the premises so who knows? But unless I somehow acquire those funds or win a ticket through some contest that I'm not even aware of, I probably won't be going.
To be honest, I'm not sure I'd go even if I had the means to. My experience last year doesn't exactly suggest that another go would be a good thing for me! Either way, I want to emphasize that my previous experience has no bearing on what your experience will be and there is a part of me that really wants to go again!
I did put together a video on my Vidcon experience and maybe that will habe a little extra info for you if you're curious:
If you're still worried or curious about what to expect, you can check out other videos on YouTube... there are plenty... just search Vidcon... or you can even search Vidcon in a search engine like Google and find some written material! You can also visit the website at vidcon.com and visit the Anaheim Convention Center website if you'd like an idea of the layout!
If you are going to Vidcon, then I sincerely hope that your experience is both fun and exciting! If you have questions, I can and will answer them... or you could just ask them directly on the Vidcon website! So have fun and take care!
The 5th annual Vidcon will be held from Thursday, June 26th - Saturday, June 28th 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California! For more information, please visit www.vidcon.com.
View this video on YouTube
Driftless Pony Club - House of 1982 Built Like a Ship
P.S. Sorry about the icon graphic... Buzzfeed was very particular about the image uploaded and it didn't like what I picked, even when I upped the size!
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Justin Christopher Davis is an avid watcher of movies, television and YouTube videos as well as a general enthusiast of video games and music and other stuff... to find out more, visit his website at www.justintymeco.com
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