Natalie Tran

Natalie Tran

Tran at the Goddess world premiere, Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia, in March 2013
Born Natalie Tyler Tran
24 July 1986[1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australian
Alma mater University of New South Wales
Years active 2006–present
Known for

Internet information

Web alias(es) communitychannel
Web hosting service(s)
  • YouTube
  • Myspace
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Natalie Tran
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese Trần Tố Hân[2]

Natalie Tyler Tran (born 24 July 1986) is an Australian vlogger, actress, comedian and writer from Sydney who uses the handle communitychannel.[3]

Early life and education

Tran's mother and father, both refugees who left Vietnam for Australia in 1981, previously practiced law and literary lecturing, respectively.[4] After they resettled in Sydney, however, Tran's mother found employment in the postal service, while her father became a public school teacher.[4] Tran credits her parents for making the success she has enjoyed possible, once writing that they both "endured so much to give my sister and I great lives."[5]

Tran was raised in Western Sydney, where she studied at the Meriden School in Strathfield.[6] After high school, she pursued teaching for two years before switching to, and later completing a degree in, Digital Media at the University of New South Wales.[4][7][8]

Popularity

As of August 2014, Tran has 360 videos available on her YouTube channel.[9] Tran created her first video on 12 September 2006.[9][10]

Tran has over 1.6 million subscribers and more than 535 million video views.[9] Her popularity has attracted wide-ranging media coverage, including interviews and appearances in print, on television, online and on the radio. The Sydney Morning Herald,[8] Western Australia Today,[11] B&T Magazine,[12] Venus Zine,[13] Der Spiegel,[14] Seventeen,[15] Báo Viêt Luận Online,[16] Việt Tribune,[17] VnExpress,[18] Triple J,[19] and the Hot30 Countdown[20] are among the highlights. Her passionate defence of Vegemite,[21] made in response to a YouTube video by Ben Going,[22] was featured on the Australian television programme A Current Affair on February 2007, as part of the Vegemite wars segment.[23][24]

Tran has been widely recognised for her creativity and Internet savvy. In 2007, barely a year after uploading her first video, she was foremost among the Australian YouTube celebrities invited to participate in the launch of YouTube Australia.[25] She was commissioned by The Sydney Morning Herald as a contributor and Real World Correspondent to their technology vlog Digital Life,[26] a position that complemented Séamus Byrne, the program's then principal anchor. Although her skits were specifically written and created for Digital Life, they were produced almost entirely in the same manner and form as her YouTube material. In 2011, Natalie made the paper's annual list of Sydney's 100 most influential people.[27]

Tran has also actively participated in several award shows and conferences. In May 2009, for example, Natalie was among the first of the featured speakers to open "Creative Sydney" at the Museum of Contemporary Art.[28][29] In 2010, Tran spoke at the Entertainment Gathering (EG) convention in Monterey, California[30] and went on to deliver a well received presentation at ideaCity[31] in Toronto, Canada later that same year.[32] More recently, she took part in the 2013 Social Star Awards, announcing the nominees for the Most Popular Sports Person in a short Communitychannel style video,[33] the Australian Screen Industries and Audiences Conference[34] and spoke at the Commercial National Radio Conference in Brisbane, Australia this past October.[35]

Tran was nominated for "Best YouTube Channel or Personality" and "Funniest YouTube Channel" by Mashable at their 2009 Open Web Awards[36] and received the second-most votes in Michael Buckley's Miss YouTube contest.[37] Beginning in 2010, Internet Critic TC Chandler put Natalie on his long running "100 Most Beautiful Faces" list.[38] He would do so again in 2011 and 2012.[39][40]

The analytics firm TubeMogul placed Tran on their list of top earners from YouTube advertising in 2010.[41] According to TubeMogul, she made over one hundred thousand dollars that year, enough to claim the tenth spot overall.[3] Based on data released by YouTube, her YouTube channel had more views in one week in March 2011 than many of the most popular television shows on Australian television.[42] Tran also worked as a Sydney correspondent for The Project‍ '​s Metro Whip Around segment. In 2011, she appeared as a guest on an episode of the third series of Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.

As of August 2014, Tran has more than 212,000 followers on Twitter, posting upwards of 4,300 personal tweets for fans.[43]

Videos

Tran's videos typically involve a monologue in front of the camera, voiceover, and skits acted out almost exclusively by herself. Common themes include observational and self-deprecating humour, as well as stream-of-consciousness commentary on social dilemmas, such as how much money to spend on gifts for friends[44] and appropriate telephone etiquette.[45] Additional examples find Tran mocking the strange and cliched practices of advertisers,[45] a practical joke by an ultrasound technician[46] and, more recently, the high prices in mini-bars. Occasionally, she will make parodies of other YouTube videos. Of these, her take on "How to Fake a Six-pack" is wildly popular and is the most viewed Communitychannel video to date.[47] More serious responses, though, range from racism and depression[48] to national identity[49] and natural disasters. Her comments on the February 2009 Victorian bushfires, now commonly referred to as Black Saturday, is one such noteworthy example.[50]

Tran usually ends her videos with a segment referred to as "Porno Music/Comment Time", where she posts and responds to comments on her previous videos, over a melody stereotypically used in pornographic films.

In early 2009, Tran released a video under the title "There's no time!!! Last words" in which she promised to create a tutorial on how to make Lamingtons, an Australian treat.[51] As of February 2015, she has yet to make it.

Complementing official Communitychannel uploads, Tran periodically rewards discerning viewers with "unlisted" videos only available to those who have the link; notables examples include "Careful Touch",[52] "Password Etiquette"[53] and "N5".[54]

Though long intervals between videos have been a disappointment to many fans, most have made light of her absences with humor. Since March 2013, the frequency of Tran's postings has increased.

Capitalizing on her sizable YouTube presence, Tran partnered with Lonely Planet in 2010 to make a series of travel videos. These vlogs, delivered in Communitychannel‍ '​s trademark style, chronicled Natalie's global journey as she visited some of the most popular tourist attractions around the world.[55] In an article that centered on Communitychannel‍ '​s brand, keen business sense and authenticity, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that her Lonely Planet collaboration is regarded as "amazingly successful."[56] About six months after returning home from her trip, Natalie co-launched a travel app for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the country's former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.[57][58]

In a July 2011 interview with Forbes magazine, Tran revealed that, while uncertain about her future, she has contemplated the possibility of no longer making videos, this to more actively pursue her passion for writing.[59] In 2012, Natalie told the Australian Way that she was busy writing a script for a romantic comedy, an effort she hopes will one day find its way onto the silver screen.[60]

In 2014, Tran was listed on New Media Rockstars Top 100 Channels, ranked at number 80.[61]

Personal life

Tran moved out from her parents' home in 2011.
Currently she is in a relationship with Rowan Jones, with whom she also works together owning a small film company.

She also owns a cat.[62][63]

Film and television credits

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Goddess Helen Film debut
2011 Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation[64] Herself Game show (1 episode)
2010 The 7PM Project[65] Herself TV series (13 episodes)

References

  1. ↑ communitychannel (2 July 2007). "getting in shape". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  2. ↑ Natalie Tran (24 July 2014). "My Vietnamese name". Facebook. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Firth, Niall (29 August 2010). "Revealed: the YouTube rich list of the new stars making a fortune from their bedrooms". Daily Mail/Mail Online. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Riding the Tube". The Age. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  5. ↑ Natalie Tran. "My Father/My Hero".
  6. ↑ "Distinguished Achievers List – Tran, Eva to Trevithick, Holly Amber". New South Wales Board of Studies.
  7. ↑ "Artist – Natalie Tran". YouTube FanFest. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Moses, Asher (4 February 2009). "How Natalie became Australia's queen of YouTube". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 communitychannel. "communitychannel's Channel". YouTube. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  10. ↑ communitychannel (25 September 2006). "quiz". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  11. ↑ Moses, Asher (4 February 2009). "Natalie Tran – Australia's queen of YouTube". WAtoday. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  12. ↑ Moses, Asher (4 March 2009). "Social Media and YouTube". B&T (Reed Business Information). Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  13. ↑ Van Deven, Mandy (13 February 2009). "If Flight of the Conchords were an Australian woman...". Venus Zine. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  14. ↑ Patalong, Frank (9 February 2009). "Top-Girls auf YouTube: Festival der schönen Unbekannten". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  15. ↑ "Get Serious with communitychannel". 17.com.my. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  16. ↑ ""Nữ Hoàng Úc" gốc Việt". 6 February 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  17. ↑ "Natalie Trần: Nữ hoàng Youtube Úc Đại lợi". 20 February 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  18. ↑ "Nữ sinh gốc Việt và kho video thu hút 65 triệu người xem". 22 February 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  19. ↑ Cannane, Steve (22 September 2008). "My Face— Will you end up regretting what you reveal about yourself online?". ABC Australia. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  20. ↑ Hot30 Countdown. "Natalie Tran Videos – Hot30 Countdown". Austereo. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  21. ↑ communitychannel (30 January 2007). "Re: The Australians are fooling us". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  22. ↑ boh3m3 (27 January 2007). "The Australians are Fooling Us All!". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  23. ↑ "Vegemite A Current Affair".
  24. ↑ "Last Laugh: Vegemite Wars". The Age Australia.
  25. ↑ Jansen, Dave (24 October 2007). "In Pictures: YouTube down under". Australian PC World. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  26. ↑ "Digital Life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
  27. ↑ Stephanie Wood. "Sydney's Top 100 Most Influential People". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "Vivid Sydney: Creative Sydney 2009 Program Details". MiSociety. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  29. ↑ creativesydney (27 May 2009). "Creative Sydney: Wednesday 27th May 2009". Flickr. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  30. ↑ "The Conference Presenters E.G. Year 4 (2010)".
  31. ↑ ideaCity (2010). "Natalie Tyler Tran". Moses Znaimer's ideaCity 2010: Ideas Change the World. ideaCity. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  32. ↑ "Nat's talk at Ideacity and audition for Toy Story 3 Communitychannel". YouTube. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  33. ↑ "Social Star Awards 2013 – full event". YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Storytelling That Shapes Us". YouTube.
  35. ↑ http://www.commercialradio.com.au/files/uploaded/file/2013%20RadioFest/2013%20National%20Radio%20Conference%20Program.pdf |Conference Program Friday 11 October 2013
  36. ↑ Sharon Feder. "500 Leading Nominees in Mashables's #openwebawards". Mashable. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  37. ↑ What the Buck (22 April 2009). "Miss YouTube 2009!". YouTube.
  38. ↑ "The "Independent Critics" List 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2010". Tccandler.com. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  39. ↑ "The "Independent Critics" List 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2011". Tccandler.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  40. ↑ "The "Independent Critics" List 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2012". Tccandler.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  41. ↑ Moses, Asher (20 August 2010). "Our Natalie raking in $100,000 a year from YouTube". Sydney Morning Herald.
  42. ↑ Tim Burrowes (17 March 2011). "Natalie Tran: Bigger than free TV". mUmBRELLA. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  43. ↑ "natalie tran (natalietran) on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  44. ↑ communitychannel (6 March 2009). "If you're good mates, why not?". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 communitychannel (23 February 2009). "you didn't say goodbye". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  46. ↑ communitychannel (21 April 2010). "Amazing Results". YouTube. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  47. ↑ communitychannel (10 May 2008). "Easter Bunny breakdown with santa and the tooth fairy". How to fake a six pack (Re: How to Fake Abs). YouTube. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  48. ↑ "Nat's PROJECT FOR AWESOME video- r u ok day".
  49. ↑ communitychannel. "I can call myself Australian if I want to".
  50. ↑ communitychannel (11 February 2009). "I like, I like, I like". YouTube. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  51. ↑ "there's no time!!! last words". YouTube. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  52. ↑ "Careful Touch (unlisted 1)". YouTube. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  53. ↑ "Password Etiquette (Unlisted 2)". YouTube. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  54. ↑ "CommunityChanel N5 back in 2 days". YouTube. 1 November 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  55. ↑ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/blog/natalietran/
  56. ↑ Adrian Lowe (16 February 2012). "Business snapping up YouTube stars". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  57. ↑ "YouTube star Natalie Tran launches government's travel app". Brisbane Times. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  58. ↑ "Natalie Tran with Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd demonstrating DFAT's new Smartraveller mobile website". Gallery.foreignminister.gov.au. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  59. ↑ Michael Humphrey (5 July 2011). "Natalie Tran: Down Under's Top YouTuber Considers Her Next Move". Forbes. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  60. ↑ "Bright Ideas: What drives YouTube sensation Natalie Tran". Travel Insider. Qantas The Australian Way. July 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  61. ↑ "The NMR Top 100 YouTube Channels: 100-76!". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  62. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMWmW3pX9rA
  63. ↑ http://instagram.com/p/o8hPe1JxcB/
  64. ↑ Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation on IMDb
  65. ↑ The 7PM Project on IMDb

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natalie Tran.