Inhale, exhale. “5…4…” she recites, which slowly begins to calm her nerves. The dorm, decorated with a variety of artsy posters and tapestries, represents a relaxed atmosphere. The smell of lavender and jasmine incense swirl around the room.     

With her makeup perfectly contoured and peach lipstick in place, the final touches include her peach quartz pendant necklace and tiny gold studs in her ears. She is dressed in a pair of acid-washed blue jeans with holes strategically placed above the knee, which also cascade down the entire front. 

Wearing a white cotton tee-shirt and a pair of white Chuck Taylor’s to complete her casual-looking ensemble, she is ready to film. The camera is displayed on top of a tall, slender tripod and starts to blink. The camera starts recording in 3…2…1…

Sophomore Renée Borcas is a digital media production major with a minor in digital media journalism and has created YouTube videos for all to enjoy since junior high. 

Specifically, she makes vlog videos mixed with a hint of comedy.

Writing, producing, and editing all of her own material, Borcas noted that she really likes to discuss current events from that particular week, or really anything that comes to mind. 

“Most of the people who watch my videos are Internet friends; we support each other,” said Borcas. “I have friends all over the world, which is pretty fun. I have a friend in Australia, who I am working on a collaboration with right now. It is exciting.”

Borcas began making videos during her junior year of high school.

‘I think I always did want to have YouTube channel; I am not really good at drawing or art, so this is my way of having a creative outlet,” said Borcas. “I was young when [shows] like iCarly and Potter Puppet Pals were coming out, and I thought, “that is cool and kind of fun, I want to try that.”

In her videos, Borcas prefers to work alone- although in the past, she has featured friends from time to time.

Borcas reminisces on the first time she had filmed her first-ever YouTube video. 

“I thought that I had to be quiet, that no one could know what I was saying,” said Borcas. “I tried really hard to be funny; I did not know what I was doing. I was just hoping that it would all work out.”

Typically, it takes her about one hour to film, and editing takes her anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Previously, she used to edit her videos using iMovie, but now, she has transitioned to the editing program, Final Cut Pro.

With creating her own videos, Borcas acknowledged that she tends to take on another identity and step outside of her typically shy disposition. 

“There is a persona there; I am scripting myself, but I try to keep as much of myself in there as possible,” said Borcas. “I try to be positive about the world.”

Her influences include Ze Frank, who works with Buzzfeed, a social media entertainment company, and Hank Green, who has his own YouTube channel, called Vlogbrothers.

 She says that she is open to any and all suggestions from viewers, and hopes that she has inspired people to not be afraid to be themselves and look at the world with a more open-minded perspective.

“The comments that get me most excited are the ones from complete strangers,” said Borcas.

Upcoming projects, Borcas says, will depend on a list of compiled ideas or inspirations she has created from that week.

“Subscribe or tie-dye” is the quirky little catch phrase that Borcas created to draw in viewers to her YouTube channel, as well as keep them coming back for more. 

“For some reason, I found it funny that if you click on the “tie-dye” part, it usually sends you to a 10-minute tie-dye tutorial,” said Borcas.

After college, she says that she is open to the idea of traveling anywhere in the world for her work.

 Ideally, she sees herself working behind the scenes with video, and is very intrigued by both the community and the world and what it has to offer.  

Currently, Borcas has an impressive 87 subscribers and has over 60 published YouTube videos.

“I did not even know what I was looking for; probably to make [content] and find something to be proud of, and have a few people watch it here and there,” said Borcas. “I think it has really helped me come out of my shell and be able to talk to people, open up more, and be confident in myself and my talents.” 

To check out her videos and subscribe to her channel, visit https://www.youtube.com/c/reneeborcas.