Editor’s Note: Megan Bomar, president of Ohio University’s Film Fam club, is also an illustrator at The Post.
Behind every great YouTube video or channel are the people who created it, and Ohio University’s Film Fam is a club that specializes in YouTube content.
Film Fam is a club on campus that creates YouTube videos through writing, acting, editing and so much more. The group doesn’t just specialize in one type of video, but they take suggestions from every member of the club on how to create the best content for their channel, “Film Fam.”
Blaze Davis, a junior studying integrated media, is the club’s treasurer and loves coming up with new content for the channel.
“We meet up and talk about videos we have planned and when we want to release them, when to edit, who’s editing, future ideas we may want to do and so much more,” Davis said.
Davis got involved in the club during his freshman year when he heard about the club at the involvement fair. When he started in the club, there were only six members. Now, the club has 16.
The group meets every Monday at 6 p.m. in Schoonover Center, and aims to release a video every other Monday. They typically film reaction videos to scary films or videos, try not to laugh videos and other various skits and sketches.
A few weeks ago, Film Fam released a video called “Boys Do Girls Makeup Part 1” where some of the boys in the club attempted to do makeup.
The club is not just about videos, however, as some of the members are starting to explore the world of podcasts. Davis wants people to be able to explore other areas of media within the realm of Film Fam.
Mitch Jergens, a senior studying integrated media, is the vice president of the club and emphasizes that, though the group has changed a lot over time, the main premise is still the same.
“It’s supposed to be more casual videography rather than intense production,” Jergens said. “Of course we’re open to any and all ideas for the YouTube videos but also for other areas of media.”
The members of the club use their own equipment or rent equipment from Schoonover Center, so they don’t require any dues or fundraising events.
The club members share “Film Fam” as their collective YouTube channel, but some of the members have their own channels and look forward to utilizing the club as a way to better their skills in video and content production.
Darby Krueger, a junior studying marketing, is the head of social media for the club and spends a lot of time working on her own YouTube channel, “Darbae,” which has almost 400 subscribers.
“There’s no politics or drama in the club,” Krueger said. “It’s just a group of friends making videos and laughing together.”
Krueger is also a perfect example of Davis’ point that members don’t have to be integrated media majors to be included in the club. Though one of the club’s main focuses is advancing skills in the realm of media, it’s also about creating a space for creativity and forming bonds among the members.
After creating such a close bond through the club, they like to spend time together outside of club activities, including watching Cleveland Browns football games, movie and game nights or just going out to dinner.
Davis also likes how the older members are always looking out for the younger members, in terms of mentoring through skill but also through life and discussions. He thinks the people and the camaraderie are the best parts of the club.
“They’re some of my closest friends here,” Davis said. “Going into freshman year I knew no one, and they’re some of the people I first latched onto, and I’ve been with them ever since. The people are definitely my favorite part of the club.”
Jergens has been in Film Fam for all four years of college and has loved watching himself and his peers transform from new members into the club’s leaders.
“When I was new, we had upperclassmen who showed us the ropes and how things worked and kind of drove us to be leaders in our own right, but it’s kind of a cycle,” Jergens said. “Now we’re in that role and we’ve got the new members coming in and it’s really nice to see that progression.”
Though this is only Krueger’s second semester in the club, she feels like she’s found a safe haven of people who not only support her and the other members but are shaping up to be lifelong friends.
“From the outside looking in, we're probably a bunch of weirdos,” Krueger said. “But I swear we’re the best people around. Everyone is so kindhearted — everyone always has a great attitude and is always smiling and I love that about all of the people.”
