6. Sean Klitzner
YouTube Channels: SeanKlitzner, SeanKlitzner2, KlitznerGames Sean Klitzner may seem familiar to some of you; he used to host the American Idol Experience and has been featured in several commercials. Klitzner posts comedy videos to his main channel, that includes Mom Ideas, which are videos he makes based on suggestions from his Mom. I actually got to interview Mr. Klitzner about his career. Take a look:
PM: How/when did you decide to start making YouTube videos?SK: I started creating Internet content when I first moved out to Los Angeles in 2004. I didn't really know anyone and was stuck with nothing really to do. I made little sketches I would send out to friends and family once a week called "The Weekly Fix." They started passing those videos along and soon I had a nice little following. Both Toby Turner and Jack Douglass used to watch my stuff. In fact, Toby and I e-mailed back and forth a bit. Really, he just told me when my website had a problem or there was a dead link. When YouTube came around, I focused more on my acting/hosting career (while waiting tables) and did quite well. Then in 2010, I started helping Toby out with some videos. That got me back to doing my own thing, and the rest is history (I hate people who say "The rest is history").
PM: Your "Draw My Life" video is one of the greatest Draw My Life videos I've ever seen. How did you get the idea to do that instead of an actual Draw My Life video?SK: There are so many good Draw My Life's out there. I spoke to a YouTube buddy about how awesome his was and he responded with "All Draw My Life's are pretty much the same." Made me think outside the box to try and do something different....and the rest is history.
PM: How did you get the job hosting the American Idol Experience?SK: I was working at a restaurant in LA while auditioning. I saw an open casting call for the show and went. The casting director really liked me and told me he would send the audition tape to the director when they did the callbacks in Orlando. I told him I would fly to Orlando for the call in person and ended up meeting with the team and booking the role. I ended up relocating for 2 years to do the show.
PM: Did you ever wish you could host the actual American Idol show?SK: The obvious answer is yes. But Seacrest owns that show. He IS the show. I would love to host something on TV that has the legs and legacy that Idol has.
PM: Do you want to just continue to make YouTube videos for the rest of your life, or do you want to get into movies and television?SK: I don't see myself stopping the YouTube stuff. I'm able to create content on my own terms! But working on other people's projects is always a bunch of fun so getting into movies and television would be great.
PM: "Mom Ideas" is so brilliant. Had your Mom been suggesting ideas for videos for a while, and that's how you came up with the idea?SK: I really wish it took off more than it did. The 5 episodes did well, but I just haven't had the time to keep it up. I should get another episode up soon. Also, that's exactly how the idea formed!
PM: Are there any YouTubers you would like to work with, that you haven't worked with already?SK: There are a few. I love what Freddiew does and would love to see his process. I'm also a big fan of BriTANicK. I think they're top notch when it comes to sketches.
PM: What is it like going to VidCon and Playlist Live? It must be great getting to meet your fans.SK: It really is. It's the one time that we get to focus entirely on the people who support our passion.
PM: The Sideburns Crew (Sean, Jack Douglass, & Toby Turner) is perhaps the greatest faction on YouTube. How did you three meet?SK: I don't know about the GREATEST faction. I wish we had more time to do stuff but with three contradicting schedules, it makes it hard even to just hang out. We all met each other a few years ago at Toby's, just hanging out. We were making each other laugh and noticed the three of us had impeccable sideburns....and the rest is history.
PM: If they make a movie based on your life story, who would you want to play Sean Klitzner?SK: If I was ever big enough where people cared about my life story, I'd want an unknown actor playing younger me and I would play present day me :-)