Benedict Townsend

Was there a bit of a gear shift for you after that of like, oh, this could be something?

Was there a bit of a gear shift for you after that of like, oh, this could be something?

Finally, popularity was turning into real opportunity. But that also meant real competition. To get advertising deals or appearances, you had to stay on top. There was enormous pressure for creators to prove their worth to brands by churning out content that kept the fans happy and engagement high.

Finally, popularity was turning into real opportunity. But that also meant real competition. To get advertising deals or appearances, you had to stay on top. There was enormous pressure for creators to prove their worth to brands by churning out content that kept the fans happy and engagement high.

Maybe it was inevitable then that soon there were accusations of cheating from smaller creators who were increasingly finding that their own jokes and sketches were being replicated without credit.

Maybe it was inevitable then that soon there were accusations of cheating from smaller creators who were increasingly finding that their own jokes and sketches were being replicated without credit.

Chris Melberger was a mid-level creator who actually ended up working for Vine HQ. More on that in the next episode. And he was best known for having great links in the Vine creator community. Like so many others, he saw jokes or even whole skits getting repeated by different users.

Chris Melberger was a mid-level creator who actually ended up working for Vine HQ. More on that in the next episode. And he was best known for having great links in the Vine creator community. Like so many others, he saw jokes or even whole skits getting repeated by different users.

The Big 1600 that Chris is referring to were a group of around 20 of Vine's biggest stars who had all moved into the same apartment complex around 2015 in order to create videos together. The complex was on Vine Street. And if that sounds familiar, good job. You're keeping up with the series. If it doesn't sound familiar, then I don't know why you started on episode four, but good luck to you.

The Big 1600 that Chris is referring to were a group of around 20 of Vine's biggest stars who had all moved into the same apartment complex around 2015 in order to create videos together. The complex was on Vine Street. And if that sounds familiar, good job. You're keeping up with the series. If it doesn't sound familiar, then I don't know why you started on episode four, but good luck to you.

Andrew Batchelor, known as King Batch, he was the first to move into 1600 Vine. And then others like Amanda Cerny, Lily Pons, and Logan Paul soon followed. At one point, Justin Bieber was even hanging out there.

Andrew Batchelor, known as King Batch, he was the first to move into 1600 Vine. And then others like Amanda Cerny, Lily Pons, and Logan Paul soon followed. At one point, Justin Bieber was even hanging out there.

By this time, Brandon Calvillo was also a big player himself. And by virtue of living in California, he was right in the heart of Vineland.

By this time, Brandon Calvillo was also a big player himself. And by virtue of living in California, he was right in the heart of Vineland.

You know, to each their own. I'm a bit stuck on this. I'm just obsessed with the Vine Street house because I just think it's so funny. Do you know anything of what the process was to get to live in the house?

You know, to each their own. I'm a bit stuck on this. I'm just obsessed with the Vine Street house because I just think it's so funny. Do you know anything of what the process was to get to live in the house?

Did you have to have so many followers?

Did you have to have so many followers?

You mentioned the kind of mutual benefit. Smaller creators maybe were throwing out allegations that the big dogs were maybe gaming the system a little bit. But obviously there was a bit of a rewind for rewind. You know, there were certain people who could absolutely dominate the popular page. Do you think that was unfair?

You mentioned the kind of mutual benefit. Smaller creators maybe were throwing out allegations that the big dogs were maybe gaming the system a little bit. But obviously there was a bit of a rewind for rewind. You know, there were certain people who could absolutely dominate the popular page. Do you think that was unfair?