The internet is a large place, and within it reside content creators, people who craft entertaining or educational content for social media. When talking about the internet, the term content creator often refers to people who create videos and livestreams on websites such as YouTube and Twitch. With a passion for the craft and a desire to learn, Zevan Drozda (12) swims within this massive sea of creators.

Since fourth grade, Zevan has always had an interest in content creation. Throughout middle school, Zevan recorded and uploaded videos like toy reviews or gameplay of games like Minecraft onto YouTube.

Eventually he made a change, now streaming on Twitch under the name Hermit Media, and with the platform switch, Zevan also drastically modified his approach to content. Reflecting back on his initial years of content creation, Zevan views his earlier attempts as part of the reason he changed.

“Whenever I found some time, I record, edit it and then upload it,” Zevan said. “Looking back on it, what I was making felt so bland and uninspired. I was uploading myself playing games or talking. There wasn’t much aim to it.”

As he saw more creators that inspired him, Zevan began to desire a change in the way he approached his content. After switching to streaming instead of video making, Zevan’s content gradually began to change to something he genuinely enjoyed.

“When I started watching people who had actual talent and put actual effort in their stuff, then [content creation] started to become a way to creatively express myself,” Zevan said. “Watching how certain channels would edit by using animations, visual effects, or tying music in would get me really excited because I had never seen anything like it.”

As he adjusted how he viewed content creation as a whole, there came a change in how he approached creating. The act of making a video had changed from simply a routine into something he avidly dedicated effort into.

“[Once I became inspired,] that’s when it became an actual hobby,” Zevan said. “That’s when I also started having ideas for content. I was always [physically] committed, but now I was committing from a passionate and personal [perspective]. There wasn’t much of a difference in the time I put in, but it was using the time better.”

One of the most common results of streaming and content creation is developing a character. Zevan’s father, Steve Drozda, noticed how Zevan utilized his interest in acting while livestreaming.

“I had never really thought about [how Zevan acts on stream] in that way, that it was a little bit like acting,” Drozda said. “It’s very possible that [the interest he had in theater] moved into streaming.”

One of the largest challenges Zevan faced was planning and budgeting time to stream. Close friend Ethan Huang (12), who has observed his efforts in content creation since middle school, comments on Zevan’s dedication.

“Growing up, you watch all these content creators, and I thought it was admirable [of Zevan] to be working to be like that,” Ethan said. “He definitely shows passion for not just streaming, but for creating content.”

In order to post video versions of his streams to YouTube, Zevan has worked with close friend Rohit Tallapragada (12), who has also previously appeared on Zevan’s streams. Rohit decided to begin editing the videos not only to fulfill his own hobby, but to aid Zevan’s channel.

“Zevan is a really good online personality,” Rohit said. “I personally don’t think I could hold up a stream for three to four hours. I can see that he does it for himself. He doesn’t really care about the views or how many people actually see it. He keeps going at it because [recognition] isn’t what he values, [but] he values the content itself.”

Looking back on how his channel has grown over the years, Zevan is thankful for the lessons he has learned about navigating the world of online content creation.

“If I was growing [on my channel] from the start, I never would have changed,” Zevan said. “The kick of the fact that I wasn’t improving and I felt like I was staggering was what set [the change] off. I have definitely become more proud of what I make. I want to see the channel grow, but I also want to put effort into it and be proud of that.”