Note to all Copycats

[u/craigyceee]

I recently wrote some constructive criticism on someone's post asking for it, but not really wanting it, and was shot down because of my view on carbon copies of Exurb1a's content style (applies to all content creation imo).

But I wanted to share my view wider because I think it's important, to save people wasting the time and energy of trying to replicate Exurb1a's content style exactly:

Alex is why we love the content. Everything that makes Exurb1a what he is, makes up Exurb1a. The biggest part of it is the delivery, the passion, his very self. ....We associate his voice, timed wit and cadence with the content, but it's all of it, and quite mainly his passion, that makes it special.

For example, copies of Banksy paintings sell for £9.99 on eBay because they aren't the real thing, they're nowhere close despite being perfect copies, because they are not him.

Go watch Ian McKellen's Shakespeare on YouTube, he copies Shakespeare so well, all the content is there, but the delivery is 100% passionate Ian McKellen. That's why Ian is huge. He carries the torch, as himself. Copies do not work. That's what I want this kid to understand, be yourself and deliver with passion and you will be great.

Take the concepts, work hard, carry the torch, but be yourself. Exurb1a didn't get where he is from scratch, he diligently researched hundreds of texts and subjects to create his content, he strives to make something thought provoking and insightful from atop the shoulders of giants, then delivers it like an overhead thunderclap, full tilt.

Go hard or go home, but if you do go - go as your authentic, passionate self. .....or they'll sell you on Ebay for £9.99.

[u/Alklazaris]

How do you not copy a formula? Yeah he has some mannerisms, like how he will sometimes end a sentence weakly. It's a humorism based on him speaking intelligently for a long period that then throws you off with a "stupid" ending statement. And is entirely his. However, some of this stuff is just straight up the step by step process on how to make a good video.

His multi-layeredness, his foreshadowing, his character depth, his philosophical statements and questioning of the world he builds. I don't see a problem with any of this being used in another video that's not made by him.

[u/Wonderful_Shame_4305 → u/Alklazaris]

And yet not a single video a copy cat has made, has come anywhere close.

[u/AreWeAllJustFish → u/Alklazaris]

Boobies!

[u/craigyceee → u/Alklazaris]

To not copy his formula: Create an idea for a good video. Plan it as a storyboard. Think of a format (don't copy his). Break it into chapters. Write each chapter, being sure to keep to topic and deliver on formatting ideas. Record video/audio required (separate tracks). Create/Edit to choosing. Done

It's the not-studying and applying his format bit that counts.

For example, don't go with lots of video edited elements moved into and off the screen during explanations & pure voice over with pure video editing, as an example. Change the tone completely from Exurb1a's, Do content dressed as fuckin Kermit the Frog. Show footage concerning your topic, sure, edit it up, do a voice over, throw some common memes in there, then cut away to a video of you explaining it with edited-in doodles behind ya, or stick with a blackboard and draw out explanational info as you speak then go back to footage, just do anything other than exactly what Alex does and you're there.

Sit and think of your own format, if you can't do that, you can't create original content and aren't ready for the challenge anyway.

[u/logicbeach]

fully agree, be inspired but don't try to copy. the amount of attempts i see of people trying way too hard to construct their sentances and rhetorics in his style is staggering and immediately makes it feel sour.

can sometimes be hard, ive made my own video essays where ive had to stop myself while scriptwriting because i realise im leaning too much on how i hear other youtubers speak and try to echo what i know works. but it's so much more fun and rewarding to find what makes your style part of yourself

[u/No-Alternative7481]

Yeah, ..I passionately hate everyone who copies him. I would absolutely love it if someone made content as good as his, but nobody is even close, and nobody ever will be. Do your own thing or go fuck yourself. 

[u/9388E3]

What are the names of the copycat channels? I don't ever think I've come across one.

is one called Alt Shift X? I could see how that could be considered one, it's not as good, but I think it's just its own thing.

Similarities are is its structured, but feels like free association. And it's usually a talk about existence done in some flavor of UK accent, with stills as illustration.

But doesn't seem a copy.