Youtube is a platform that has changed the way media is consumed around the world. Look at Justin Bieber for instance, what he is today all because of a video clip.  However in South Africa, not many people have come to appreciate the art form for what it truly is. Among the current heavy weights of Youtube in South Africa – including Derek Watts, Casper Lee and Troy Sivan, a new talent has begun to emerge – a young Cape Town based film maker, Howard James Fyvie.  Fyvie began “dabbling” in Youtube over the past year, and has seen the potential that this platform can bring.
“Most of us don’t understand Youtube. I didn’t either. But after I released a 4 minute video in February about me performing at an old age home, I saw what it could do. Before I knew it – it had been seen by more than 50 000 people in a week. It was featured on Youtube Home Page, Two Oceans Vibe and more. For me – the craziest moment was when my neighbour eventually messaged me via Facebook stating,  “hey, I’m your neighbour! I saw your clip. We should meet up!” Youtube helped us bridge that gap, literally across the road.”
In between directing his first Feature Film, Fyvie, 27, works on comedy sketches as his genre of choice for Youtube. “For me, it’s a place where I can release the crazy side of me.”
He uploads one video a month and his channel receives more than 4500 monthly hits – from places as far off as Germany, UK and the United States, although his biggest audience is still right here in local South Africa.
Fyvie has just released his new short film “The Proposal”, which is set to make waves on Youtube this week. Starring Fyvie, Kyle St John Peters and Claude Morcos, the video tells the tale of two girls talking about getting engaged, with a ridiculous twist at the end.
“It’s a blend between Monty Python, Julian Smith and Ben Stiller”, says Fyvie.
Early reviews are calling the 2 minute sketch, “hilarious”, “stupidly funny” and “I can’t watch this at work because I’m laughing too hard and the staff members are staring at me all funny”
 
Catch the video below. 

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