Sean, The Orange Ranger

I think I can safely say I had the fortune to meet few very nice individual through YouTube. This is something that I wasn’t really expecting when I started. One of the many YouTuber is Sean over Orange Ranger Videos. As a Star Trek fan I’m always looking for people who has similar mind-set about the series. Of course now we have a much bigger audience thanks for the Kelvin Movies and the upcoming sixth “TV series” called Star Trek Discovery. When the first teaser came out I was constantly looking for other people reactions and opinions and Sean was one of the many who I happened to see his video about the subject. We had similar opinions and after watching any of his videos made me feel think about my YouTube journey here. Was a very interesting development through the years over the videos which he made for his audience and now became a solid point in the Power Rangers Fan Community. We happened to work together as well in a creative project and the more I knew about him I thought it would be good to actually do an interview. So all of you who love or like Power Rangers I would recommend to go over to his channel and check his videos. On this note let’s begin… ;)

​What made you start posting videos online?

I started my YouTube channel just as a place to host a video I made for a church group.  It went unused after that for a while until I posted some videos from my time working at Walt Disney World.  That was about when my interest in Power Rangers rekindled and I started posting videos about that.  I've always been creative and interest in video production, so being a YouTube creator just seemed like a great idea.

Where do you get inspiration for your videos?

Well, my regular ongoing series, Power Rangers Episode Reviews, was inspired by other reviews like Black Nerd Comedy and Linkara.  Also, elements of the series have been inspired by things that happen on the show.  For example, when Super Megaforce did an episode about their robotic assistant, Tensou, it inspired me to add that kind of character to my show in Kaizoku.  The other videos I've done (vlogs, video game news, sports news, food reviews) have come from my general interest.  Chances are, if I care about it, I can make a video about it.

Which do you like better, filming or editing?

This is a tough question to answer, because both can carry their own frustrations!  I think I like filming the videos a little more, because that's when I have control of what I can edit in, when I can make creative changes, etc.  But it can be frustrating when I'm tired and not "feeling it" as they say.  Editing is normally pretty fun too, but the process can get a little tedious if I let it.  So, filming, but just barely.

How many people, close to you, know about your YouTube channel? Is it something you like to tell people?

Most of my family and close friends know about my channel, even if they don't totally understand exactly what I do.  It's not something I'd put on a business card, but it is on my resume.  Normally, it's kind of in Phase 2 of getting to know someone.  In fact, more often than not, it's something they will mention to me, because they saw me post about it on Facebook or something.

Which video are you most proud of?

There are two that come to mind, and they are somewhat similar; The Lost Labor Day Review, and The 100th Episode.  The Lost Labor Day Review was a short movie I did for the channel when a new episode of Power Rangers didn't air.  I could have taken that weekend off, or posted a simple topical video, but I decided to stretch myself.  Now, I'm not 100% proud of that video; every time I watch it I wish I still had the raw footage so I could remaster it!  But the story is good, and the video works well, especially for being a one-man production.  The 100th Episode was an accomplishment both in terms of reaching that milestone and getting the story done.  Again, in terms of effects and stuff it looks pretty amateur, and actually the scope of that video kind of threw me off and delayed channel production for a bit.  But I got it done, and I liked the result.

Name a few vloggers who influence you.. 

I mentioned Black Nerd Comedy and Linkara for Power Rangers.  Black Nerd gave me the idea of reviewing a show one episode at a time, and Linkara influenced my style of deep examination and critique.  As far as vlogging in general, there are several I like and really admire; CTFxC, Vlerabrite, Shaytards, the list goes on.  Also, Bruno and Mia who have two channels (a Power Rangers toy review channel called MMPRToys and a vlog called DividedAsOne) were big influences in the idea that it's okay to have a channel that is JUST about Power Rangers.

​What is the most exciting thing that’s happened to you since starting YouTube?

I don't mean to keep answering "what is one thing" with more than one answer, but again two things come to mind.  The first is crossing 10,000 subscribers.  That was just such a major milestone, even if it's still rather small in terms of YouTube channels.  I was actually awake and watching when it happened, and it was just a great moment.  It showed me the channel really is growing significantly.  The other was related to that; a week or so after I crossed 10,000, YouTube invited me to a Content Creator Lab in Atlanta.  It's basically a workshop where they help teach you how to make your good channel even better.  It was a great experience, and there's a video on my channel about it.

What is more important to you: likes, subscribers, views, or comments?

I'd say subscribers, with comments a close second.  Anyone can like a particular video, and a view only means they literally clicked it.  They can watch 5 seconds, close it, and it's still a view.  But subscribers have to take an additional step, clicking that subscribe button and indicating to YouTube that they want to see MORE of this channel.  Comments are second because I love having an ENGAGED audience, that isn't just watching the video mindlessly but responding to me and starting a conversation.

Are you ever nervous about posting new videos? Do you feel like you have a certain standard to uphold? Does that hinder or help you as a creator?

I don't get as nervous about my week-in, week-out episode reviews, as my videos are already pretty form standard.  I get a little nervous when I'm doing something more involved, like the movies I mentioned, or when I branch out to other things.  I try to make the best videos I can, but I think my audience knows what to expect from me.  Sometimes my channel looks a little amateur in the graphics department (until a certain fellow YouTuber helped me out with that, I should say!), but what my viewers come for is my in-depth review style and discussion of episodes.

Define your channel in two words.

Power Rangers?  Heh.  I actually don't want that to be all that defines my channel, I want to branch out more.  So I'd say my answer is "Fun Geekiness".

​Where do you see yourself/what do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

It's so hard for me to answer this question right now.  Without going into too much detail, I'm in an extremely transitional period.  I will say that I WANT to be living in a bigger city, in an established career in video production, hopefully in the sports world.  And still producing Orange Ranger Videos, which will hopefully look even better and hopefully have branched out into other creative properties and media.

​Define yourself in two words.

Giant Child!  I'm a huge kid at heart, hence liking stuff like Power Rangers.  I only pretend to be an adult.

Advice for new YouTubers: What is a DO and what is a DON’T?

DO videos about something you truly love.  Making the kind of quality YouTube content that attracts views is HARD WORK.  If you just try to find what is popular and do that, and you don't love it yourself, you will burn out quickly. DON'T give up.  If you are doing videos you love and your channel isn't growing, give it time.  That moment I mentioned where I crossed 10K subs?  Getting to that point was almost literally a double-take.  I hadn't even REALIZED I was that close.  I was sitting there thinking my channel was TINY and growing slowly and then a viewer said "Hey, you're almost at 10k!"  And I went "WHHHAHAAATT?"  If you look at all the really big YouTube channels, they've all been around at least 5 years.  There are very few flashes in the pan...it takes time for people to trust your channel and come to it regularly.

I would like to extend my thank to Sean at Orange Ranger Videos who took the time to answer this questions. I hope in the future I will be able to do more of this kind of an interview with more people, more YouTube person or even actors... :) LLAP _\\//