PauseStopRewind: Your YouTuber name, MistakeProductions, is unique. How exactly did you come up with that, and why did you choose it for your screen name?

MistakProductions: MistakeProductions actually has a funny story behind it. When I was creating my account, I couldn’t think of a good username, but I knew I wanted the word “productions” in it. I was having the hardest time ever thinking of something unique I could put in front of “productions”. So I scrolled to the bottom of the page, and in order to create the account you have to enter a validation code. The code was something like “mstake” and it reminded me of the word “mistake”, so I just thought, well I’ll just give that a shot. So, I scrolled back up and entered “MistakeProductions” and, it was available! So, then it came to be haha.

Who inspired you the most to start uploading videos onto YouTube?

What really inspired me most was just watching all the Short Films on YouTube, not really one individual person. Soon, however, I started making comedy sketches, not “short films”, and my biggest inspiration for those was WasteTimeChasingCars. But now that I have really stepped up my game, my biggest inspirations are just my friends I talk to everyday on twitter and YouTube. They are amazing and I would be no where without their help.

Where do you often get your ideas from?

I normally get my video ideas from my everyday life. Just things that happened during the day that I think would make a funny video. Of course I modify them a little, but really they just come from things in my life. Other videos of mine have been inspired by watching other videos on YouTube, but I try to be as original as I can. If I had to give any tips on getting a good video idea, it would be to WAIT FOR IT TO COME TO YOU. I have had plenty of times when I try and force a video to happen, but they don’t turn out nearly as good as the ones that I am truly inspired to make.

How did you come up with the idea of a YouTube rap, and how long did it take you to come up with the lyrics?

I came up with the YouTube rap when I was trying to find some background music for another video. I came across some cool beats and suddenly just started to free rap to them. I was like whoa this is awesome! So then I thought this could be a whole new project for me! I thought it would be a cool idea to make it about something everyone could relate to, and YouTube was the perfect topic. Once I got that idea, I kept listening to the beat and making the lyrics that fit right, and made sense. I worked about 5 hours on that, then I recorded, edited, filmed the music video, edited that, and then posted! It was quite the process, but I think it was worth it.

What do you do to prepare for you videos, and how long does it take you?

It doesn’t take me long to prepare for a video. Once I get the idea (and I’m in the mood to film) I just put my camera on my tripod, take it outside, and film. I try and find decent lighting, but that’s about it, nothing too special.

It seems you put a great deal of work and time into the effects of your videos. How long does it typically take you to do the post production?

Once I get it all filmed and into my computer, it usually takes about 3-4 hours to edit a video. It really amazes me how it takes that long just to make a 3-4 minute video! It actually goes by pretty fast. Sometimes I start editing when the sun is still in the middle of the sky and when I’m done, I look out the window and it’s dark. If it’s just a quick video, it only takes an hour. When it’s a long video, it can take up to 6 hours.

Has there ever been an idea you couldn’t use, because the effect was too difficult to create? If so, do you plan to try this again one day?

Nah, I’ve mastered it all. haha just kidding. Yes this has happened, but it wasn’t really an editing issue as much as it was a character issue. Since I do everything myself, it’s hard to make a video with more than 2 characters in it, unless I clone myself. But cloning myself really takes away from a lot of the angles I would like to have in the video.

What would you like to improve on most in your videos?

Well right now I am trying to improve the overall “look” of the video. I am trying to make my videos look more professional, like color correcting, adding those black bars on the top and bottom, etc.

What do you think makes you stand out most from other YouTubers?

I think I stand out from most of the other YouTubers just because of the talent I have at such a young age. I get a lot of comments saying “how old are you?! this was amazing!” and I think they are impressed that someone my age can do something many adults can’t do (not trying to be rude). A lot of people underestimate kids my age because they DON’T expect much talent from them. That really makes me mad, because being young doesn’t mean you lack talent in what you love to do.

If you could go back seven months from now and give yourself advice, what would it be?

The biggest piece of advice I would have given myself would definitely be, to be original! If you copy someone the slightest bit, people get after you for it and it’s really annoying. So I definitely recommend being original.

Is there a particular comedian you look up to? If so, who?

Will Ferrell is the man. I look up to him so much because anything he says makes me laugh. I have seen most of the characters he can play and they are all just hysterical! Every movie he’s in I try and see. I look up to other people too, like Jack Black, Jim Carrey, and others.

How has YouTube shaped your life?

YouTube has shaped my life in many ways. I have met so many new people that have supported me and have become very close friends. I have come so far all because of my viewers, without them I wouldn’t be doing interviews like this. So many people have put my name out there and I appreciate it so much!

Do you plan to do anything with film for your life long career?

Ohhhh ya. My life goal has been to become an actor for so long. But after getting into this whole filming thing, I think I like working behind the camera more. Either way, I would like to do this for the rest of my life.

Twitter Question from @sillyk5: What genre movies are you interested in directing when you’re older?

I would really like to direct comedy. Sure I would direct other genres, like action, horror, and fantasy, but I am definitely leaning towards comedy.

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