Difference between revisions of "Down The Rabbit Hole: The Hunt For Bree"
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By the time the [[First Blog / Dorkiness Prevails|first lonelygirl15 vlog]] appeared on YouTube on June 16, [[Bree]] had already developed a large fan base. Two videos had been posted to her account, [[YouTubers Secret Language]] and [[Paytotheorderofofof vs. Dinosaur]], which included references to many popular YouTubers at the time. By friending popular users, such as Paytotheorderofofof and The Wine Kone, and subscribing to hundreds of channels, Bree instantly had a large fan base. | By the time the [[First Blog / Dorkiness Prevails|first lonelygirl15 vlog]] appeared on YouTube on June 16, [[Bree]] had already developed a large fan base. Two videos had been posted to her account, [[YouTubers Secret Language]] and [[Paytotheorderofofof vs. Dinosaur]], which included references to many popular YouTubers at the time. By friending popular users, such as Paytotheorderofofof and The Wine Kone, and subscribing to hundreds of channels, Bree instantly had a large fan base. | ||
| − | Suspicions that Bree was something other than a 16-year-old homeschooler began almost immediately. | + | [[Image:Doubter.jpg|thumb|200px|The first doubt|left]] |
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| − | + | Suspicions that Bree was something other than a 16-year-old homeschooler began almost immediately. In the comments of Bree's first video, some users already questioned whether she was really 16. | |
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More suspicions quickly arose around lonelygirl15. The editing in her videos was distinctive. While most [[vlog|vloggers]] would record one long take and post it without much editing, Bree's videos consisted of dozens of short takes. While not outside the technical capabilities of a smart high schooler, the process seemed unnecessarily time consuming. | More suspicions quickly arose around lonelygirl15. The editing in her videos was distinctive. While most [[vlog|vloggers]] would record one long take and post it without much editing, Bree's videos consisted of dozens of short takes. While not outside the technical capabilities of a smart high schooler, the process seemed unnecessarily time consuming. | ||
Revision as of 01:43, 17 October 2006
In the summer of 2006, as the Lonelygirl15 video series gained popularity on YouTube, a growing collection of fans became obsessed with cracking the mystery of lonelygirl15. The Hunt for Bree became a major internet phenomenon that captured the attention of many YouTubers and was heavily covered in the mainstream media.
Early Suspicions
By the time the first lonelygirl15 vlog appeared on YouTube on June 16, Bree had already developed a large fan base. Two videos had been posted to her account, YouTubers Secret Language and Paytotheorderofofof vs. Dinosaur, which included references to many popular YouTubers at the time. By friending popular users, such as Paytotheorderofofof and The Wine Kone, and subscribing to hundreds of channels, Bree instantly had a large fan base.
Suspicions that Bree was something other than a 16-year-old homeschooler began almost immediately. In the comments of Bree's first video, some users already questioned whether she was really 16.
More suspicions quickly arose around lonelygirl15. The editing in her videos was distinctive. While most vloggers would record one long take and post it without much editing, Bree's videos consisted of dozens of short takes. While not outside the technical capabilities of a smart high schooler, the process seemed unnecessarily time consuming.
Others noted that Bree's video blog was unusually well-lighted. It appeared that Bree employed a technique called fill lighting to provide illumination on the part of her face that was in shadows. Still others cited Bree's striking good looks, flawless complexion and distinctive eyebrows as suspicious.
Is That a... Story Arc?
As the series developed, many fans noted that lonelygirl15's videos appeared to have a plot. This alleged storyboarding suggested that lonelygirl15 was working off a script. The videos were more episodic and on-point than most vloggers at the time.
- School Work in Summer... -- establishes Bree's protective parents
- The Danielbeast -- introduces Bree's geeky editor, Daniel.
- Grillz -- shows the two having fun together.
- My Parents Suck... -- introduces the conflict between parents and Daniel.
- Daniel Responds -- a soliloquy from Daniel.
- Daniel Returns -- the story arc resolves.
Throughout the series, similar sequences of events have unfolded. The technique was described by Brian Flemming as a video adaptation of the Epistolary Novel.
Enter Bukanator: An Over-Eager Fan
Amid the comments of Bree's very first video, a YouTube user named Bukanator commented, "This is wonderful." Bukanator responded favorably to every early video Bree posted, at times defending Bree from critical comments.
