FameTube

Most of us have heard of YouTube, but what about FameTube?

A new website has been created by a man named Bryan Cornelius called FameTube.  This website is similar to YouTube in the fact that users upload videos of themselves, however, FameTube is geared specifically to musicians wanting to flaunt their abilities.

Artists can send their videos to FameTube, where they will be evaluated.  If they're good enough then they'll be accepted and promoted on the website.  FameTube receives more than 100 submissions daily but only accepts a small percentage of them.  I think it is a great idea that videos have to pass inspection before being accepted because it gives the videos and artists more credibility.

People can go on the website and vote on their favourite submissions.  The top ten submissions will be featured on the "landing page for the next month" and the top pick will be featured year round.

With social media expanding, more and more people are becoming discovered via the internet.  One of the most famous examples of this is probably Justin Bieber, who was discovered through his YouTube videos.

FameTube concentrates talented people into one website, which makes their videos much more accessible to people searching for new talent.  YouTube is still a great video site but the fact that anyone can post virtually anything also means there are a lot of mediocre videos.

Photo by BestofWDW from Flickr

Something I question though is whether or not FameTube will really help create that many more stars.  There are several talent competitions on TV, such as American Idol and America's Got Talent, that pick the most talented individual and help them rise to fame.  Although this doesn't always work out.  There have been a few winners that have become extremely popular, like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, but majority of these winners never really achieve a high level of stardom.

Photo by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas from Flickr

The idea of FameTube also seems a little dated.  There are so many talent shows out there that the concept of finding the perfect new artist seems kind of old.  American Idol did great in the beginning of the series, but as the show continued on it started to lose popularity.  Afterwards, networks started rolling out new shows like The X Factor or The Voice.

Maybe there is more to being the needle in a hay stack that helps people, like Justin Bieber, become famous.  The musicians and actors that have become household names worked hard to be in the position they are in today.  Talent competitions are a great way to show off your skills but I think these TV shows along with FameTube are giving people the false idea that fame can be instantly achieved and maintained.  Well, fame can be instantly achieved in today's world, but usually for the wrong reasons.  When someone does happen to stumble upon instant fame, it usually doesn't last very long.  To become as famous as Lady Gaga or Brad Pitt, one needs to work very hard to maintain that fame.

I think the fact that FameTube restricts which videos get posted does make the people on the site more credible, but I don't think it will help them become famous.

What do you think about internet fame?  Do you think FameTube will help create more stars?