Alex Goyette

Last updated
Alex Goyette
Born (1988-10-05) October 5, 1988 (age 36)
Nationality American
Other namesJoule Thief
Alma mater California State University, Northridge
Occupation(s)Film writer, director, producer, actor
Years active2011 – present
Website www.youtube.com/user/jouletheif

Alex Goyette (born October 5, 1988) is an American film director, writer, producer, actor, and YouTube personality. He is the writer/director of Expelled , a comedy which ranked #1 worldwide on iTunes during its December 2014 release. Goyette studied film at Cal State Northridge, and created his sketch comedy YouTube channel on April 17, 2011. The channel's videos have been viewed 13 million times.

Contents

Background

Goyette was born on October 5, 1988 [1] to a French father and a Japanese mother. [2] Goyette lived on Mercer Island, Washington for the majority of his young life. [2] Goyette began creating films and videos at the age of eleven, when he first created a parody of Saving Private Ryan . [2] [3] At the age of 15 he wrote his first feature film "The Safe" and began shooting it during his sophomore year of high school.

In 2007, Goyette moved to California to pursue his dream and career in filmmaking. Goyette attended Orange Coast College before transferring to Cal State Northridge where he studied from 2009 to 2012 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinematography and Film/Video Production. [2] [4]

Goyette is agnostic. [5]

YouTube

Goyette created his channel, JouleTheif, on April 17, 2011. [6] Goyette would upload several viral videos on the channel. [7] The videos would accumulate 5.3 million views by July 25, 2013. [6] Goyette also influenced Matthew Fredrick, also known as Matthias, and winner of the second season of Internet Icon , to join YouTube. The two would go on to frequently collaborate with each other, and both went on to be part of the AwesomenessTV Network. [8]

AwesomenessTV

While on YouTube, Goyette would appear on and work with AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel funded by YouTube's original channel program. On his channel, Goyette directed, produced, wrote, and starred in a fake trailer centered around the Waldo character. [9] Goyette's video Waldo The Movie -Trailer Parody [HD] gave him the opportunity to have a pitch meeting with Brian Robbins and Joe Davola of AwesomenessTV. [7] The most viewed video he appeared in featured him dress up as an Apple Store employee, and drop boxes filled with items, in front of people waiting outside an Apple Store on the release day of the iPhone 5, giving the illusion that Goyette had broken several iPhones. [10] The video would go on to earn over 5.7 million views and be covered by Today . [10] [11] Goyette has worked on other videos with Awesomeness, and has uploaded other prank videos as well. [3] Goyette directed and wrote a series, Expelled, for the network, starring Nathan Kress and Teala Dunn, as part of AwesomenessTV's plan to introduce new series under DreamWorks Animation. [12]

Internet Icon

In 2013, Goyette used his fake Waldo trailer video as a submission video for the second season of the YOMYOMF web series, Internet Icon . The video earned him a spot in the top 10 of the competition. [13] He was eliminated after being accused by Ryan Higa of copying an idea for "Amy's Will", although he claimed to never have seen the video. Goyette placed fifth in the competition. [14]

Overview of Internet Icon

No.Video titleChallengeResult
—Waldo The Movie - Trailer ParodySubmission VideoAdvanced
1Video Nuking"The Next YouTube Trend Challenge"Advanced
2The Westerners Water Bottle"The Vlog/Ugly Truth Challenge"Winner
3How to Submit a Challenge Video"The How-To Challenge"High Score
4The Top Floor"The Chase Sequence Challenge"Advanced
5LA Studio Noir"The Murder Mystery Challenge"Advanced
6Amy's Will"The Prop Challenge"Eliminated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Channel 4 (VoD service)</span> UK video on demand service

Channel 4 is a video on demand service from Channel Four Television Corporation, free of charge for most content and funded by advertising. The service is available in the UK and Ireland; viewers are not required to have a TV licence—required for live viewing and the BBC iPlayer on-demand service—when watching on-demand services. The service launched on 16 November 2006 as 4oD. The service offers a variety of programmes recently shown on Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4 and E4 Extra and shorts, alongside exclusive content such as programming from Adult Swim. However some programmes and movies are not available due to rights issues. The service was originally available without registration, but free registration was later required. The service is available without advertising on payment of a subscription, under the name Channel 4+.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smosh</span> American YouTube comedy channel

Smosh is an American YouTube sketch comedy-improv collective, independent production company, and former social networking site founded by Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. In 2002, Padilla created a website named "smosh.com" for making Flash animations, and he was later joined by Hecox. They began posting videos on Smosh's YouTube channel in 2005 and quickly became one of the most popular channels on the site. As of 2024, the channel has over 10 billion views and over 26 million subscribers.

<i>Angry Video Game Nerd</i> Comedy web series about video games

The Angry Video Game Nerd is an American retrogaming review comedy web series created by and starring James Rolfe. The series centers on Rolfe's titular skit character, often simply shortened to "the Nerd", a short-tempered and foul-mouthed gamer who delivers commentary on retro games of poor quality. While the series began with Rolfe simply playing games while providing retrospective commentary, the show has grown in scope to encompass sketches featuring guest characters, reviews of gaming consoles and peripherals, and short lectures about video game history and culture.

Charlotte McDonnell is a British filmmaker, screenwriter, musician, former vlogger, author and Twitch streamer from Bath, Somerset. On 15 June 2011, her YouTube channel charlieissocoollike became the first in the United Kingdom to reach one million subscribers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Key of Awesome</span> Comedy YouTube channel (2007–2018)

The Key of Awesome is a YouTube channel that produced comedy videos starring writer/performer Mark Douglas. "The Key of Awesome" was created by Mark Douglas and Ben Relles and is the channel's most popular series, mainly producing viral music videos and parodies. Barely Political was created in June 2007 by Ben Relles and subsequently debuted its first music video, "Crush on Obama", starring Amber Lee "Obama Girl" Ettinger, created by Ben Relles and Jake Chudnow. Videos on the channel have been seen over 3.37 billion times online. "The Key of Awesome" became the central identity of the channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KevJumba</span> American blogger, American online personality

Kevin Wu is a retired American YouTuber best known under his former username KevJumba. The San Francisco Chronicle's Jeff Yang has noted that Wu is not a comedian in the conventional sense but that by "just talking [he] is, well, pretty hilarious" due to his deadpan vocal delivery, animated facial expressions and tendency toward unexpected digressions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Higa</span> American YouTuber and streamer

Ryan Higa, also known as nigahiga, is an American internet personality. Best known for his comedy videos on YouTube, Higa began making YouTube videos in 2006 and was one of the most popular creators on the platform in its early years. His main YouTube channel, nigahiga, was the most subscribed channel on YouTube over two periods, a very brief 9 day period in September and October 2008, and a 675 consecutive day period from 2009 to 2011, a period of time as the most-subscribed channel that has only been surpassed by PewDiePie and T-Series since. Higa was the first person to reach the milestones of 2 million and 3 million subscribers on YouTube. Higa launched a podcast in 2018 called Off the Pill, which has featured YouTubers and celebrities such as KevJumba, Andrew Yang, and Jeremy Lin. In 2020, Higa started streaming on Twitch, where he reacts to his past videos and broadcasts video game content, most notably in Valorant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Park videography</span>

The videography of Korean-American rapper Jay Park consists of fifteen music videos, six Jay Park TV webisodes, two films and several appearances on television programs, including Immortal Songs 2 and Saturday Night Live Korea.

<i>Internet Icon</i> 2012 TV series or program

Internet Icon is an online video-making talent competition that premiered on the YOMYOMF YouTube channel on June 12, 2012. The show was a competition between groups to see who can be "the next internet icon" or be able to run their own YouTube channel while sustaining an audience. Internet Icon was hosted by Chester See in season one and Chris Riedell in season two, and judged mainly by Ryan Higa and Christine Lakin in season one, with the addition of Timothy DeLaGhetto in the second season. Nick Riedell was also included as a mentor of the contestants in the second season. Additionally, there is also a guest judge who appears on the show each elimination episode. The contestants complete challenges at the Los Angeles Center Studios, where the show is also shot. The series is one of YOMYOMF's most popular. After two seasons, Internet Icon was cancelled, due to funding issues.

Internet Icon is an American film-making competition reality television show to find "the next Internet icon". The first season aired on the YOMYOMF YouTube channel from 12 June to 16 August 2012. The judges were Ryan Higa and Christine Lakin, and the host was Chester See. The filming of the show took place at the Los Angeles Center Studios. The Brothers Riedell won the first season, with Lana McKissack as runner-up. The contestants of the first season saw an average subscriber boost of 522%.

The second season ofInternet Icon premiered on 21 May 2013, and concluded on 27 July 2013, on the YOMYOMF YouTube channel. Ryan Higa and Christine Lakin both returned as judges, and Timothy DeLaGhetto joined the judging panel for this season. Chester See did not return as host; Chris Riedell took over the role, with his brother Nick Riedell joining as mentor for the contestants. Collectively, the two are known as the Brothers Riedell, winners of the first season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Turner</span> American internet personality and actor (born 1985)

Toby Turner, also known by his stage name Tobuscus, is an American Internet personality, actor, and musician. Originally from Niceville, Florida, he is best known for his YouTube videos. As of October 2024, Turner has a total of over 14.50 million subscribers and over 3.919 billion video views over his three YouTube channels.

A multi-channel network (MCN) is an organization that works with video platforms to offer assistance to channel owners in areas such as "product, programming, funding, cross-promotion, partner management, digital rights management, monetization and sales, and audience development," in exchange for a percentage of the ad revenue from the channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abso Lutely Productions</span> American television production company

Abso Lutely Productions is an American film and television production company owned by actors Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim and producer Dave Kneebone. It is known for producing TV shows such as Tom Goes to the Mayor; Nathan for You; The Eric Andre Show; Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!; and Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marques Brownlee</span> American YouTuber (born 1993)

Marques Keith Brownlee, also known professionally as MKBHD, is an American YouTuber, influencer, and professional ultimate frisbee player, best known for his videos reviewing technology devices. As of November 2024, he has more than 19 million subscribers across all channels and 4.95 billion total video views. In 2013, Vic Gundotra, a former senior vice president of Google, called Brownlee "the best technology reviewer on the planet right now". At the 10th Shorty Awards in 2019, he was named "Creator of the Decade" The former name of his YouTube channel is a concatenation of MKB and HD. With New York PoNY, he is the 2022 WFDF World Champion in the Open Category for ultimate Frisbee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arin Hanson</span> American YouTuber, actor, and animator (born 1987)

Arin Joseph Hanson, also known by the pseudonym Egoraptor, is an American YouTuber, actor, rapper, and animator. He is well known for his Flash cartoons, as well as being the co-founder and co-star of the popular YouTube Let's Play series Game Grumps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenn McAllister</span> American YouTuber and actress (born 1996)

Jennifer Ann McAllister, also known by her former pseudonym and YouTube username jennxpenn, is an American internet personality, actress and comedian. She is best known for her work on YouTube, for which she has been nominated for a Shorty Award and four Teen Choice Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chester See</span> American YouTube personality, singer and actor (born 1983)

Chester See is an American YouTuber, singer and actor. He is best known for his YouTube videos, which have garnered over 207 million views, as of September 2017. He appeared as Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages on Broadway from October 2014 through January 2015.

<i>Smosh: The Movie</i> 2015 film by Alex Winter

Smosh: The Movie is a 2015 American science fiction buddy comedy film directed by Alex Winter and written by Eric Falconer and Steve Marmel, with Brian Robbins and Shauna Phelan serving as producers. It stars Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox from Smosh, with Jillian Nelson, Brittany Ross, Jenna Marbles, Grace Helbig, Mark Fischbach, Harley Morenstein, and Michael Ian Black in supporting roles. It is Smosh's first full-length film and revolves around a fictionalized version of the duo going inside YouTube virtually to alter a clip that will ruin Anthony's chances of winning over his high school crush at an upcoming reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philo (company)</span> American internet television company

Philo is an American internet television company based in San Francisco, California. First founded at Harvard University in 2010 by Tuan Ho and Nicholas Krasney, investors in the company include HBO, Andrew McCollum, and Mark Cuban. The company and its service is named in honor of one of the pioneering engineers of television, Philo T. Farnsworth. As of 2021, their OTT streaming television service has over 800,000 subscribers.

References

  1. ↑ "Joulethief about". Facebook. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Draw My Life - JouleThief". Joule Thief. YouTube. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Alex Goyette aka JouleTheif: Tell Us Ur iD!". AwesomenessTV. YouTube. January 28, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Alex Goyette". LinkedIn. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ Goyette, Alex (June 20, 2014). Questions . Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "JouleTheif about". Joule Thief. YouTube. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Michael Aaron Gallagher (February 3, 2013). "Alex Goyette is a master of the viral video (Exclusive Interview)". Stay Famous. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kallum Green (January 13, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Frederick speaks with Mosh News about his YouTube career and more". Mosh News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ Ethan Anderton (March 6, 2012). "Fake Trailer Imagines 'Where's Waldo' as Government Action Thriller". First Showing. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  10. 1 2 "iPhone 5 Box Prank - Randomness". AwesomenessTV. YouTube. September 24, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Prankster poses as Apple employee, drops iPhone 5s". Today. October 5, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  12. ↑ Carrasco, Ed (August 5, 2013). "AwesomenessTV Debuts Teasers For Two New Web Series At VidCon Panel". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Internet Icon S2 Top 10 Submission Video: Joule Thief". The YOMYOMF Network . YouTube. May 23, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Internet Icon S2 Ep7 -- The Props Challenge (Part 2 of 2) Feat iJustine". The YOMYOMF Network. YouTube. July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.