Local live streamers gain traction online
Bridger Andres, 12, in his home studio, where he and his father, Brad, publish TheRayvan live stream on Facebook. (Courtesy photo)
SANDPOINT — A pair of Sandpoint live streamers have found their footing on Facebook and are expanding their reach on the popular social media platform.
TheRayvan live stream was created by 12-year-old Bridger Andres and his father, Brad, who manages and sets up the video feed of his son playing the video game “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.” The game, known among players PUBG, is an online multi-player, battle royale-style contest where participants engage in last-man-standing gun battles with each other.
TheRayvan live stream shows Bridger Andres competing in the game while offering commentary on game play and strategy.
“It’s a lot of me trying to keep the audience engaged,” Bridger Andres said.
Bridger Andres’ background undoubtedly helps. He studied acting with Jesus Quintero at the American Laboratory Theater and acted in Film Boot Camp, Sandpoint Onstage and Growing Dreams Productions. He also made several video and radio spots for Sandpoint Auction House, which was operated by his father.
That training and experience helped boost his confidence and fill downtime during game play with wisecracks, observations and personal anecdotes. He also responds to Facebook messages that pop up on the computer screen while live streaming.
But much of the stream is devoted to what’s unfolding onscreen as he plays a round of PUBG.
“I tell them what’s going on with the game,” Bridger Andres said.
Brad Andres believes his son’s ability to connect with viewers is a large part of the stream’s success.
“His numbers are up there because he engages with his audience so well,” Brad Andres said.
There is ample appetite on Facebook for live streams of people playing video games, according to Brad Andres.
“You don’t get the same rush (as playing the game), but you get a taste of it. It’s like watching TV show — you just don’t know how it’s going to play out,” Brad Andres said.
Brad Andres is present for every live stream due to his son’s age.
Bridger Andres is subject to pretty strict guidelines in exchange for live streaming, which include staying on his school’s honor roll, playing a musical instrument and playing on a baseball team. His rigorous schedule, meanwhile, requires a nourishing diet and plenty of sleep.
“This is not easy, what he does,” said Brad Andres.
Brad Andres, meanwhile, uses his technical savvy and familiarity with the social media platform to help boost the live stream’s prominence on Facebook. Those efforts are starting to bear fruit.
Between June 29 and July 5, The Rayvan picked up 2,001 new page likes, bringing the streams total to 3,539 likes. It gained 3,381 followers, resulting in a total of 5,974 followers. The stream also garnered 222,769 video views during that week.
TheRayvan also received an nod from StoneMountain64, whom the Andres consider to be the top PUBG streamer. TheRayvan was invited to join StoneMountain64 on his influential live stream earlier this week. The single video reached 312,043 people and attracted 129,098 video views with a one-time peak like viewers of 3,273 people. A total of 242,976 minutes were viewed and the stream generated 4,444 comments, 1,401 likes and 250 shares.
“It was a pretty amazing experience,” Brad Andres said.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.