Youtube Royalty Stops By for a Visit, Venetian Princess Delivers Dish on How To Reign Supreme
If TV is considered the "small screen" then Jodie Rivera known by her fans as Venetian Princess is America's starlet of the tiny screen. Being aYoutube sensation was happenstance much like that experienced by Justin Bieber, but Jodie has taken that happy accident and turned it into a career that she is very passionate about. No doubt the celebrity looks are there, but Jodie has surpassed the skills of the triple threat and created a league all her own. Her domain has become her Youtube channel populated by videos she directs, writes, produces,edits, acts in an stylizes herself. Most viewers are shocked at the fact she plays all the characters in her web series The Princess Chronicles, yes even the grotesque ones (the characters that is, not the fans!). Still not impressed? Then tune in for this interview in its two part blog entirety, where we discover how the Venetian Princess has built an empire with loyal subscribers, that first started out with credit card debt and later landed her the house of her dreams.
I personally don't believe I would have been as successful and I'll tell you why. When I first started out, the majority of videos on YouTube were webcam videos.They didn't include any costumes or props. At the time, I was one of the only people on there that was going way out production-wise. And this started before I was even generating any income from my videos. I think it really set me apart from everyone else and ultimately it's what gave me that push. However, if I were to have started today- I would have had a much harder time trying to get noticed, because YouTube is now all about the production value.
How did opportunities to work with major brands come to be? What company was the first one you worked with?
I received an email in 2006 for my first brand integration. It was for Universal Studios, to promote a Dax Shepard movie called "Let's Go To Prison."The video quality was awful, I had no studio lighting yet so I literally lit myself with a window. I think my script was pretty funny though. Of course, back then, the compensation wasn't very much. Probably in the low
four figures, but it was a big deal to me because I had no idea major movie studios even knew who I was, let alone want me to promote their film.
Due to shows like Toddlers & Tiaras there are a lot of varied feelings on the pageant industry and whether or not it has positive effects on young girls. From your personal experience do you feel you have gained any skill or mindsets that have helped you both professionally and/or personally from your pageant experiences?
My pageant training definitely helped with my interviews. It was always my strong point and I won a lot of interview categories, even as a child. I loved
speaking with the judges and it carried into my career as a new media
personality, aiding in my interviews with the press. On the negative side, it definitely affected my self esteem growing up. My mother was one of the only moms that didn't dye my hair or put tons of makeup on me for pageants. I never wore false teeth. Seeing that on all the other girls made me feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb. But now as an adult, I can look back and really appreciate my mom having kept me a natural little girl and concentrating on my talents and personality rather than spray tans and hair pieces.
Were you very techie when you first started? Or did you learn how to do things like special effects as you went along?
Since 1998, I was building websites and doing graphic design. I was new to video editing though, so I just taught myself how to use different editing software and after hours and hours doing it, I figured it out on my own.
Who is your support team? Who do you turn to when you don't know the answers to something?
Most of the time, if I don't know the answer to something, I will do the research and find it myself. If it's a matter of opinion, I'll ask my husband, my mother, or my viewers.
What do you think it is about your videos that makes them so popular they have been known to be viewed more than the original music video from which they are based?(An example would be your I Kissed a Girl spoof)
I think probably because they are comedic. The original music videos that I'm spoofing obviously aren't. My videos spoof the music and visuals of the original and are funny, which is a component that most viral videos have.
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Youtube Royalty Stops By for a Visit, Venetian Princess Delivers Dish on How To Reign Supreme- Part 2
Do you think VP is all beauty and no brains? Well, you've got it all wrong! Now in part 2 of this blog interview we get down to business and discover what it takes to run a successful Youtube channel. Oh, and I snuck in a few tongue in cheek interview questions that only true fans will understand and appreciate! 
I certainly use analytics to keep an eye on things. But I know my audience pretty well, and I've come so far in this field having done it for so many years now- that I feel comfortable trusting my own instinct. My true supporters will be excited about any project that I am excited about. So above all, these days I only produce content that I want to do and can have fun with.
Is there a system or plan you follow to make things easier? Do your fans expect to see videos on a regular schedule?
Everything is constantly changing in this field, so it's tough to stick to a
plan. As far as schedules go- I've never been able to stick to one, so I've never tried. With music videos, they take so much time to plan, write, record, shoot, and edit- that it's just not something I could pop out once a week. However, I have decided to start a different channel that will be beauty/style based and will have a weekly show format.
Do you think had you decided to stay enrolled in college your career would have taken the same course it has?
No, I am all about education, but for me- it just would not have worked. That was the time of my life where I was experimenting with making videos. I would never have had the time to do so, if I were enrolled in college. My family is very headstrong on all of us getting college educations in order to be successful. But I guess in my case, I lucked out.
In order to persue this passion you had, can you tell the readers a little about how you budgeted to make your videos?
In the beginning before I even generated any income from my videos, I was literally spending every penny I had after bills were paid. I have expensive taste, and I am not one to settle for less than what I envision. Some of my
wigs were close to $300 (I used a lot of showgirl hair wigs that were made out of human hair. Costume wigs looked too synthetic on camera). They would only be used once in a video and then thrown into the costume closet. I remember I pretty much maxed out all of my credit cards on costumes and set pieces. I was not good with budgeting my money, because I truly felt that it was worth whatever price for the art of it. Once my youtube channel started bringing in revenue, I was finally able to pay off all the credit cards and make a profit.
What is your advice for other creative independent artists (of any genre)?
I can't say it enough- find what YOU enjoy doing most. If you are genuinely having fun, your audience will be able to tell. Try different types of videos. It's all about trial and error. If it doesn't feel right, move on to the next idea.You will find your niche.
If you were to have your own tv show what kind of show would it be?
If I were to have my own tv show it would definitely have to be musical. It would be like a mix of Glee and Smash, but maybe new media style. As long as my character would get to sing, I'd be all for it!
I know you have international fans... Do you know what countries you are the most popular in?
It's funny because I sell VenetianPrincess merchandise, and we get some orders from countries I didn't even know existed. It was brought to my attention that there was an order the other week from Qatar. Apparently that country does not have postal codes. I am most popular in the US, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.The Germans seem to be the most devoted fans. I get the most press in Germany as well.
What other interests do you have that aren't presented on either of your youtube channels or your main website?
I love decorating and I am obsessed with historic houses, I have one of my own. I actually started a small decorating blog just for fun, it'sIheartHouses.com. I am also going to be touching decorating on my new style channel. I should also mention that Romantic Homes Magazine is doing a spread on my home in it's upcoming holiday issue. It will be on newsstands October 9th.
Are you planning on selling any other type of merchandise in the future besides your music? Like maybe getting your Venetian Princess doll mass produced?
I don't think I will be getting my doll mass produced, as my audience is growing up. However, we are looking at continuing the VenetianPrincess
trading cards.They have been selling like hotcakes. Maybe a clothing line is in the future, we shall see.
What did the shell look like of the egg you were hatched from?
It was tuquoise with pink polka dots! :-P
What has being a Youtube sensation given you that you would not have experienced doing a 9 to 5 job?
It has given me the ability to do what I love and be my own boss. It has given me financial security and creative freedom. It has opened doors to amazing opportunites with major brands. It has given me exposure to film and tv executives that would not have even given me a second look had I gone to a traditional casting call. It has given me a platform to reach people all around the world and to bring a smile to their day.
Are you wearing pants during this interview? ;)
Pajama pants! ;-)
Do you want to stay up-to-date with the Venetian Princess' latest videos? Then subscribe to her Youtube channel! Get to know her more personally via her other channel as well. All things VP can be found on her main site.
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