[Football] Vloggers at games

[Happy Exile]

At one of our aways this season I was in close proximity to a vlogger. At Old Trafford last season I was very near Ronald and barely noticed him filming, but this other one was a detriment to the experience of the game. Constant commentary while he filmed himself (and occasionally the game) that was annoying and distracting, body language that seemed almost hostile in avoiding interaction with other fans except during half time (because that'd interrupt the commentary), and the only person not joining in the songs. Anyway, last night I thought I'd try and find the footage on YouTube, and I did - I'm in it numerous times singing / celebrating / despairing with others which I find a bit irritating to have had no choice in, and In the footage - which I'm not going to post - he even directly draws attention to the reaction of other fans, not in a negative way, but still in a "look at that reaction" way and even in the moment I noticed people's awareness of him affecting them.

It's different from club footage or MoTD which we know we may feature in and have to be OK with, because this is 10-15 minutes that being a fan-eye view essentially follows the emotional journey of the group of fans who are around the individual for the entire match. Something about that feels more exposing and open to public ridicule from others (and while I have no reason to be particularly embarrassed I also don't think I'd love my Brighton-curious colleagues and clients stumbling across it).

This is, I realise, part rant, part self-conscious annoyance, but just wondered what other people's take and view is? It's so open and obvious it's taking place I'm guessing it's permitted but a single individual influenced the experience and behaviour of maybe 6 fans around him and that doesn't seem totally fair? Do we have a right to ask and expect them to stop?

 

[dadams2k11]

What harm is he causing? The club allow it so that's fine. I would suggest covering your face if you dont want to be in his footage. That's the only way.

 

[Bozza]

Is it the Luke kiddy?

I've not watched any of his stuff, but I've become aware of some brouhaha around him a little while back, for largely the same reason.

I've not been in the position of having anyone close to me doing this, but I think I understand what you're saying. I think I'd feel quite self-conscious if someone was vlogging near to me, knowing I was likely to be in shot a lot and then on YouTube for ever more.

 

[Happy Exile]

What harm is he causing? The club allow it so that's fine. I would suggest covering your face if you dont want to be in his footage. That's the only way.

Someone literally did this - had their hood up the entire game which feels a bit unreasonable.

 

[Han Solo]

What harm is he causing? The club allow it so that's fine. I would suggest covering your face if you dont want to be in his footage. That's the only way.

A nice little telling off, "point your f***ing phone in a different direction or I'll shove it up your arse", should do the trick in a lot of cases.

I understand the harm caused... many people don't feel comfortable with strangers filming them in emotional situation. When I've filmed stuff I've always had the principle "don't film anyone shitting, cumming, mourning or celebrating, unless they ask for it". Allow people to be emotional and vulnerable without feeling like some sort of zoo animals.

 

[crabface]

I ended up stuck behind that Josh Fusion kid for one game, luckily we don't see him anymore.

Distracted you from watching the game and as others have said made you feel very self conscious. Everything he did during the game was played up to the camera.

 

[BN9 BHA]

What harm is he causing?

Being annoying and distracting, the op has mentioned that. He couldn’t exactly move when the match is sold out and he’s in the correct seat.
Just unfortunate to have this type sitting near him……some added commentary is definitely needed by anyone that’s getting annoyed by these twats

 

[Happy Exile]

Is it the Luke kiddy?

I've not watched any of his stuff, but I've become aware of some brouhaha around him a little while back, for largely the same reason.

I've not been in the position of having anyone close to me doing this, but I think I understand what you're saying. I think I'd feel quite self-conscious if someone was vlogging near to me, knowing I was likely to be in shot a lot and then on YouTube for ever more.

That's the one. You go to a game with your mates, it's time off from "real" life and for a lot of us it's an important opportunity to feel that raw, spontaneous emotion and joy and despair and the only place we really do let that out - one of the complaints against VAR after all is that it kills that moment a bit.

Knowing every instinctive response and reaction you have to something stands a chance of getting on YouTube forever can make you self-aware to the point you're as focused on where the camera is pointing as you are on the game. Without wanting to get pseudo-philosophical about it there's plenty about the social and mental benefits for fans of the fact we're kind of anonymous in the crowd and it's a mass-experience where we can lose ourselves and not be self-conscious in that self-expression. For me, it's important that's not denied people just so someone can get likes on YouTube.

 

[chaileyjem]

i think there are only 4 regular vloggers of Albion games - Ronald, (North Stand) Luke (East Stand Lower) , and two young lads who stand together and sort of double up (North Stand as well) . There's normally several in the away end depending on the club . And very occasionally a neutral will be there having a stab at it.

I was behind Luke at Ajax . I was quite grateful as his footage captured a very rare shot of me , my son and my mates celebrating our 2nd goal. A nice memento from the trip.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Luke Lynx?

He was directly behind me at Everton last season. It was vaguely annoying but, at the same time quite nice to see me and the boy in the mad goal celebration. Had a chat with him and his dad at half time. He’s a totally different persona off camera and his dad’s very knowledgeable.

He does have a real knack of pissing off our younger fans though. Overheard someone threatening to two foot him after Forest this season to a lot of laughter and agreement.

 

[chaileyjem]

That's the one. You go to a game with your mates, it's time off from "real" life and for a lot of us it's an important opportunity to feel that raw, spontaneous emotion and joy and despair and the only place we really do let that out

I agree with this , and privacy concerns but also i think everyone forgets how scrutinised and filmed we are across a match. Not by vloggers . But By the club .(and the police) .

 

[BN9 BHA]

I agree with this , and privacy concerns but also i think everyone forgets how scrutinised and filmed we are across a match. Not by vloggers . But By the club .(and the police) .

The club and police aren’t showing close up videos all over YouTube though

 

[Bozza]

I agree with this , and privacy concerns but also i think everyone forgets how scrutinised and filmed we are across a match. Not by vloggers . But By the club .(and the police) .

I agree with @Happy Exile on this - it's a different level of intimacy though.

It worked for you and @Guinness Boy, which is great, but if I was at a game and he was in front of me (not behind) and I was just over one of his shoulders, I'd feel very uncomfortable knowing each time he filmed himself I was likely to be in shot.

However, I'm self-aware enough to know a lot of this is likely to be down to me as an introvert, which is why you've never heard my voice nor seen my face on any Albion podcasts, radio nor on TV. I politely turn down all approaches, or push them in the direction of someone else.

 

[Insel affe]

Is it the Luke kiddy?

I've not watched any of his stuff, but I've become aware of some brouhaha around him a little while back, for largely the same reason.

I've not been in the position of having anyone close to me doing this, but I think I understand what you're saying. I think I'd feel quite self-conscious if someone was vlogging near to me, knowing I was likely to be in shot a lot and then on YouTube for ever more.

I have watched a few of his Vloggs and they are ok, but I am not really his target audience. He high 5s and asks opinions mainly of younger fans. He has his place and does no harm, if I occasionally sat next to him, I don't think I would mind to much, in actual fact he would probably have to do some heavy editing during vital moments in the game. However if I was a season ticket holder, I would like to know in advance and either insist on him moving or I would, I could see the constant chatter annoying after two games.

 

[chaileyjem]

The club and police aren’t showing close up videos all over YouTube though

The club literally do show close up videos of fans on YouTube but yes its different. And agreed. i think if i had a vlogger sat next to me all season - rather than as a one off then i'd feel inhibited and self conscious and this would impact on my enjoyment of going. I might well have a word...if thats the case. I do wonder how the NS fans around Ronald feel - they always seem pretty ok about hamming it up for crowd celebrations etc. - perhaps he's earnt their trust.

 

[Professor Plum]

What harm is he causing? The club allow it so that's fine. I would suggest covering your face if you dont want to be in his footage. That's the only way.

It’s obvious what harm he’s causing. He’s reducing the pleasure for some people watching the game. The idea that people round him should have to wear balaclavas and dark glasses is preposterous.

 

[Happy Exile]

I agree with this , and privacy concerns but also i think everyone forgets how scrutinised and filmed we are across a match. Not by vloggers . But By the club .(and the police) .

The difference is (for me at least) that's not going up on YouTube, and if I'm in the club's footage or on TV it'll be a few seconds of a particular moment. The fact it's a whole game and the close proximity just feels a bit more like it's following the highs and lows in a much more personal documentary type way. Just to stress, I'm only in it a handful of times, never for long, but more than I'd want and the knowledge during the game that the camera is pointing your way because you're between him and the action, or you're in a particularly energetic area of fans, and it's for the express purpose of going on YouTube, just seems a bit invasive.

 

[Han Solo]

I agree with this , and privacy concerns but also i think everyone forgets how scrutinised and filmed we are across a match. Not by vloggers . But By the club .(and the police) .

Privacy is dead but there's a psychological element that can't be overlooked. The NSA or MI6 or whoever can watch you through your laptop webcam if they'd like; but most don't notice it and don't think too much of it. It is invasive, but it doesn't feel invasive. But if the NSA or MI6 sent a lad with a video camera to your bedroom, most people would feel it was invasive.

 

[BN9 BHA]

The club literally do show close up videos of fans on YouTube.

Filmed by someone in the crowd standing next to them? Maybe a goal celebration by our players and the crowd are in the background.
How about the police…..I will wait

 

[chaileyjem]

Its not just Luke and Ronald though. Apart from the vloggers of course there's literally thousands i'd say at every match who just document the game "normally" and often this footage / photos ends up on social media. Do we mind it when fans sitting near us do that ? Or is it just the vloggers who deserve scrutiny ?