The Next Blockbuster Film is a YouTube Video
Written By Holly Hodges
The moment someone thinks of YouTube, they probably think of Mr. Beast videos. Videos like his are at the very least entertaining, but don’t always offer sentimental value to walk away with. However, a group of young minds is changing the narrative, going under a genre they call “YouTube New Wave.” These stylized vlogs offer cinematic insight into each of the creator’s coming-of-age experiences.
One of the creatives behind this genre’s influence is 22 year-old Natalie Lynn. Natalie has posted content on YouTube since she was in early middle school. From improv skits to written sketches, the world has watched her authentic content grow into the cinematic experience it is now. Her most recent series, Borderless, walks through her experience living in a van - the beauty and heartbreak of it all. It’s raw, and real, and doesn’t sugarcoat the unexpected difficulties of living out of a vehicle.
Despite the ups and downs of the journey, Natalie finds herself growing into her individuality. She recognizes herself without societal expectations, and thus feels borderless and free for the first time.
Between her genuine voiceover and variation in shots - drone shots, handheld, and sticks - you never get bored. You get emotional. What she shares is in the first person, so you feel like you’re on the journey with her. Her vulnerability makes you feel like a close friend who she keeps nothing from, and it makes you dream that you’ll meet people like her in real life too. On a platform often so feign, content like hers is the breath of fresh air that humbles you.
It reminds you that you too are human.
Borderless is only a glimpse into what YouTube New Waves creators do. These creators turn their emotional experiences into art. It's a piece of work they and others can look back on and process through a lens of hindsight. In some ways, it’s also a time capsule to reflect on growth as a creative and human being.
The name YouTube New Wave is misleading. This genre’s home may be a social media platform, but it’s undeniable that these videos are actually films, and possibly, a hint at the next blockbusters.
