By MARCUS HENG
brats@thestar.com.my

On campus, some know me as the video guy, while others know me as the aspiring YouTuber. For me, I’d rather be known as Marcus Heng from BRATs. If it hadn’t been for BRATs, that passion for video production would never have been sparked in the first place. And that brings us to YouTube.

YouTube was once a platform mainly for people to post home videos.

But with the recent rise of the YouTubers, especially in Malaysia with the likes of Dan Khoo, Joseph Germani, JinnyBoyTV and, my personal favourites, Grim Film, young people are being inspired to start their own channels and produce their own short films.

Of course, not all of them have been as successful. There are many who have come and gone after a couple of successful videos.

So what sets the successful ones apart from the rest?

Personally, I’d like to think passion is what makes the difference. If you really put your heart into something, in time, success will come.

The BRATs once had an interview with international YouTube star Ryan Higa (aka Nigahiga), an assignment which I was lucky enough to be part of, and his advice for aspiring YouTubers was simple: “Do it just because you love doing it – not for the fame!”

And in that spirit, many young Malaysians are now using YouTube as a platform to showcase their work. It is probably the best medium now for talented young people to get noticed.

Malaysian YouTube singer Talitha Tan, for example, started uploading cover songs two years ago, and for the past year, she has been regularly invited to perform at gigs.

YouTube is no longer just a place for watching and posting random videos.

In my case, I own a YouTube channel to work on my cinematography and help a group of talented friends to record cover songs. I get loads of feedback on how I can improve my skills by having people comment on my videos.

Honestly, without having been a part of the BRATs programme, I would never have seen video production the way I see it today. BRATs was that small window of opportunity that changed my life.

So today, look around you and try to explore all those windows of opportunity! It could be the spark for your passion just like BRATs was for mine =)

The writer is a member of the BRATs editorial team. BRATs is a young journalist programme organised by R.AGE. If you have a story or event you want the BRATs to cover, email the editorial team at brats@thestar.com.my! You can also message them on facebook.com/starbrats.