By Angelina Burkholder | Echo
He looks pretty normal; he's a typical college student sporting hipster glasses and a printed tee. With a smile on his face and a bounce in his step, he fits in. But he's actually quite extraordinary. Really though, he is-204,000 followers extraordinary.
Meet Cam Glass, the freshman film production major with a famous profile on Vine.
Glass first explored comedic entertainment in middle school and began dabbling with videography shortly after. With three of his buddies, Glass formed "The Rowdy Boys" during sophomore year of high school and together they put out videos for their peers, finding comedy in any situation-and creating their own in others.
"I just have always enjoyed videos, trying to make people laugh through videos," Glass said.
As an upperclassman, Glass became bored with social media outlets and searched for something new. After reading an article online about the new craze on the market, Glass discovered Vine and fell in love.
He created a profile, figured out the logistics and went to work. With collaboration from friends, Glass created six second videos packed with jokes and pranks. Soon other Viners caught on to his humor and Glass's following steadily rose, surpassing other famous Vine profiles.
"I think it's cool-people I used to look up that I pass," Glass said.
Creating funny content to make people laugh is more important to Glass than a number on a screen. Living with joy and passing on that joy is how Glass aims to live his life.
"I try to never have a frown on my face," Glass said. "Make every day better if you can, just always be positive and try to rub that energy off on everybody else."
With plenty of people tracing his every social move, Glass is now expanding his profile with a business-like mind. He treats his public profile as a means of spreading his name, creating networks and putting himself ahead of the curve. Just a couple weeks ago, Glass signed a contract allowing for product placement in his Vines. Companies will pay Cam to feature their products in his Vines, generating business for themselves and income for Glass.
"It's a good way to market yourself. . . get your name out there," Glass said.
And then the social media celebrity came to Taylor. When Glass first showed up on campus, he was accompanied by about 60,000 online followers. Just a little over a month later, Glass now boasts 204,000 followers. He's Vine famous-and now he's Taylor famous.
"It's really cool," Glass said. "I see some people kinda look at me, and I'm like 'are they going to come up and talk to me?' It's just cool, especially the people who watched my stuff before I came here, that's even cooler."
For Glass, a little social media fame allowed him to meet more people in a shorter time frame here at Taylor. But pride is not an attribute Glass claims.
"I don't want other people to think I am better than them, because we're all the same," Glass said.
What began as a little fun on the side rewarded Glass with fame. But beyond Vine, Glass is just another typical college student with a couple dreams and a long road to get there.
"I wouldn't say I have any advantage over anybody," Glass said. "For film classes, I don't think anybody would choose me over another person just based on my Vines."
Glass is just trying to make a name for himself. But beyond the six-second comedies and follower contests, Glass has a bigger dream. His ultimate goal is to direct and act in an Oscar award-winning film-Vine is only the beginning of his trek toward Hollywood
"It's the dream," Glass said.
With a constant smile on his face and a philosophy of joy at his back, Vine is one of the ways he spreads his happiness. Glass just stumbled upon a opportunity and a dollop of fame along the way.
"I guess I just got lucky."
Download the Vine app and follow Cam Glass to add some humor to your social media life.
