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Casey Neistat’s New Tribeca “Factory”
Popular vlogger Casey Neistat has opened a three-level “factory”—as in Andy Warhol’s—in what used to be offices for his social-media company, Beme (which CNN bought for $25 million). In the announcement, he says the facility is called 368, after the 368 Broadway address, but it’s actually next door at 370 Broadway, on the ground floor and two lower levels. (Neistat’s office is still at 368.) In the first episode, out earlier today, he says he plans for it to be a production studio, music studio, and podcast studio, maybe a store at the front, with space to skateboard, play basketball, and host events and dinner parties. “Maybe the reason why creator community in NYC sucks so bad is because it’s not centralized,” he said. “What if this can become the space for all creators?” Anyway, no doubt there will be fans hanging around outside both buildings now.
A few Tribeca highlights from Neistat’s oeuvre….
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Neistat, a person who has zero creativity but has plenty of money and time and thus buys his “creativity”.
This Tribeca factory ain’t not gonna be Warhol’s Factory or 5Pointz. This will be more like a WeWork for the artists. This will just another playground for the wealthy — another pay to play example.
Warhol (and his posse), Basquiat, Keith Haring, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Patti Smith, Madonna,… had nothing when they came to NYC to express their art. Maybe the reason why creator community in NYC sucks so bad is because nowadays only the folks who have money can afford to be creative. To quote from Frances Ha: “The only people who can afford to be artists in New York are rich.”
Casey Neistat came to NYC with nothing. He built his wealth with his creativity. He may buy things, but creativity is not necessarily using a paint brush and painting something or coming up with good lyrics and a tune. His creativity is by finding new and exciting things that people like.
I like Casey, a lot. He’s a great editor, and an entertaining storyteller. And his drone-ability speaks for itself. He’s not afraid to explore, experiment and take risks, which is why he has the following he does. He came to NYC without anything and built up something fairly significant (like…$25 million significant) from nothing. He is passionate about what he does and I think works really hard, uses his smarts, and found a way to connect to viewers, while also managing to charm a few corporate giants who took a chance on the new kid. His spot for Nike is fantastic and refreshing… oh, but that may be too commercial for “Williamsburg” dwellers and their million dollar shacks. Get over it! For all the haters who are bashing creativity, I ask..what do you have to show for yourself? What makes you the judge? He’s running a valid business, a legit commercial production house… it’s no easy feat. It’s too easy to say he’s not creative or be jealous of his money. Go out and do it yourself. But don’t be such a negative dead beat. It’s petty.
His creativity is as a film-maker. He has a unique style, even in his vlog. And it is apparent that this style has influenced many who attempt to vlog. He has a creative approach at PR and YouTube that has sparked interest at international levels.
Your net worth? Your decades worth of documentation of progression? Giving people opportunities to pursue their passion and projects.
P.S. This will be like Hansel’s pad in Zoolander — a place for the vapid, clueless, and superficial trying to be or believing that they are being creative or all that.
I think you’re thinking of the rest of Tribeca as it is today..he’s a super fun, positive, entertaining guy inspiring a whole generation of creative thinkers and creators (who can’t and will never be able to afford to live in soul-less Tribeca)..and accumulated several BILLION views while he was at it.
Based on his bio does not sound like he came to the city with anything either: Neistat was born in Gales Ferry, Connecticut on March 25, 1981. He dropped out of high school during his junior year at age 17 and did not return to school or graduate. He eventually left his family and had a son named Owen, at age 17, with his then-girlfriend Robin Harris. Between age 17 and 20, he lived in a trailer park with Harris and his infant son. It was during this time that Neistat decided to move to New York City.
Before moving to New York City, Neistat worked as a dishwasher at an unknown seafood restaurant and was a short-order cook in Mystic, Connecticut.
there are so many obstacles to doing creative work in manhattan. i applaud casey and anyone else who gives it a shot.
This makes total sense. If he opened this in Williamsburg, where people know who he is, he’d be laughed out of the neighborhood.
I really enjoy Casey’s vlog. He’s relatable and interesting. The drone shots up the HRP and the music are soothing. I always feel like an insider when I see a video and can say, that’s the juice press on Warren or something familiar. I wish him and any creative’s good luck. to those who are negative, just don’t watch. A creative zone is a great idea and I hope it thrives. I like the idea better than another We work or Starbucks, or Some other chain store.
Ps- I met him at NYRR’s Brooklyn Half bib and t-shirt pick up and he could not have been nicer. He gets it.
I don’t have an opinion on the “factory” but I loved his Aladdin Magic carpet prank. He made a lot of people smile and perked their curiosity that day! How can that be bad?
And the snowboarding, well good for him. Why not enjoy a day some would consider bad and others might consider good? Wish I had been on those skis during the snow storm and who wouldn’t want to ride on the magic carpet? I think many would agree it all made us smile! Thank you Neistat for that.
My late father once said if it can make you smile that’s a winner!
That being said it takes a lot to beat the guy that walks down West Broadway on the weekends in the Summer with his microphone in hand greeting everyone as he passes them by…now that’s creative!
No, CN doesn’t get it.
He gets it to those who’d consider a painting of four dogs playing poker and smoking cigars high art. Or those who enjoys and likes America’s Funniest Videos.
Casey Neistat is as creative as Matthew Silver.
And how will he decide on who gets to have residency in his factory. Most likely the young, white, beautiful get preference, even if or esp. the talentless or uncreative.
“creativity” is 1 of those wrecked words that buzz around language (like plastic bottles in the sea or space junk debris in the sky). If what is meant by “creative” is awareness, insight, originality, then there is plenty in Tribeca for those who have fresh eyes.
He said “Maybe the reason why creator community in NYC sucks so bad is because it’s not centralized”
Huh? On what basis does he conclude that NYC doesn’t still have a totally vibrant active creative population?
Granted it is no longer centralized, the way it used to be in SoHo and Tribeca before the real estate developers got hold of this area and so many local arts people were forced out of their studios and homes so they could be turned into luxury lofts. That true and sad history makes it a cruel irony that someone thinks he can centralize creativity back into Tribeca.
http://nymag.com/selectall/2018/05/cops-called-after-fan-trespassed-on-casey-neistats-office.html
Casey connects with the masses and has inspired many thousands of people to have a go at being creative including my autistic daughter. Well done Casey.
I’m 65 years old and I love what Casey does in his videos. I enjoy his reviews and his work. I guess I don’t understand the negative reviews. He has taken to social media and made himself a brand. I respect the fact that his celebrity, fame and fortune came from hard work and perseverance. Hell I’d love to spend a day with him. Here is my suggestion for you nay sayers…if you don’t care for him, quit watching his videos. Keep up the good work Casey, I enjoy your videos!