For Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee, travelling from country to country has become a full-time expedition.
The YouTube stars have amassed over 14 million subscribers over the past few years, both beginning YouTube from 20 and 19-years-old. Since then, the boys have become synonymous with popular pranks and funny antics online, and are about to release their second film – Hit the Road USA – where they embark on a cross-country road trip around America completing challenges including joining a cheerleading squad, driving (an almost breaking) a NASA rover and competing in a beauty pageant – makeup and all.
I got the chance to speak to the boys while they’re in town for their live shows, where they shared their excitement to return to Australia for the second time, after touring for a year in the UK.
“We’ve learned a lot over the last year, so it’s really exciting,” says Caspar. “We get to do a brain freeze slide, which is a thing I do on my channel, to do that every day is crazy!”
The boys aren’t in the country for long, but they still plan to make the most of their time here, as Joe explains he spent time Down Under as a tourist, pre-YouTube days.
“It definitely feels like a home away from home, I’ve missed it so much…the people are so friendly, they’re so chilled out and there’s really no drama…and it’s a saying as well!” he says.
Although much of their time is spent travelling, filming and editing their videos, they still find the time to get into some good film and TV.
“I love Narcos, and Louis Theroux documentaries,” explains Caspar.
“My problem (with films) is I always fall asleep…I’m a sleepy person!” says Joe.
As the boys have (slightly) conquered the film industry, they talk about the possibility of a television series on the cards.
“I mean, we started a production company (Raucous Productions)… last time we did Hit the Road, it came out as a DVD, and also worked quite well as a series. ” explains Caspar, as Joe adds the film was also available to watch on airplanes.
“I definitely love the idea of TV, and it necessarily doesn’t have to exist on TV anymore, there’s so many different platforms. We have so many different ideas between us and things we want to do in the future,” says Joe. “It’s cool that we can actually think of these ideas and have the opportunity to be able to bring them to life; whether it be us or up and coming YouTubers.”
“It’s a very, very exciting space to be in.”
As different platforms arise for content creators to share their content, the boys explain that the new premium addition to YouTube, Youtube Red, has the ability to offer even more exciting opportunities that defer from mainstream entertainment.
“Sometimes it’s hard to spend a long time working on a video and getting a big crew together, and with a budget for advertising… obviously it has the chance to create some great stuff,” explains Caspar.
As the boys prepare for their live shows this week, which tickets are still available for, they admit that Australia has a high possibility of being their next location to hit the road.
“I mean it would have to be Australia!” says Caspar. “…it’s big with an untapped landscape and lots of cool people, so that would be my first choice.”
Joe & Caspar Hit The Road: USA is available on DVD November 23rd.
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