What began as simple playdates between Robert Mann and his then-two-year-old daughter has evolved into a full-fledged YouTube sensation, ‘Genevieve’s Playhouse.’ Their programming inspires creative play among families around the globe. From the get-go, they’ve aimed to help youngsters learn such skills as colors, counting, and storytelling through deliberately slow-paced videos that showcase toy-based play.
A decade has passed since this family’s hobby grew into so much more. Genevieve is now 12, and this year the Spokane-based channel celebrates its 10th anniversary. They’ve amassed just under 50 million subscribers which, for perspective, is more than other YouTube mega-stars in the kids’ entertainment realm like Ms. Rachel and Blippi. In addition to the popular YouTube channel, which includes their usual videos along with an animated shorts series, their brand now also includes a newly launched toy line spotlighting many characters dreamed up and sketched by Genevieve (available at Walmart, Amazon and Target).
It’s now a family affair, with Genevieve working alongside her dad, mom, and older sister on the animated series. She gets to share ideas and feedback on scripts and to voice many of the characters involved. The Manns have called Spokane home for about a year and a half, after making the leap from Georgia. They love the outdoors and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and admit to enjoying the cold more than the South’s humid heat. “The people here have all been so kind and welcoming; it’s just been a joy to acclimate here,” Robert said.
Genevieve and her family started the channel when she was just 2, now — she’s 12! (Image courtesy Genevieve’s Playhouse)
As a family, they’ve always been on the lookout for fun hobbies to try. “When Genevieve was little and started watching YouTube videos,” Robert said, “it was my wife’s idea that maybe we could give it a try. At first it was a little frustrating because we’d make a video and then be completely unable to find it through YouTube search. They’d have two views, and that wasn’t even encouraging because I was pretty sure those two views were ours!”
Yet they kept striving to make their content better with each new video. “We’d learn new editing techniques, buy better equipment and continually tried new or different video styles,” Robert explained. “Over time, you just sort of develop your own voice and style and you go from wondering what you’re supposed to be doing, to having a fairly clear view of the direction you want to go in.”
Genevieve really enjoys the videos in which she gets to help out. “I remember one video needed Skye’s helicopter, and Moose (Dad) didn’t have enough hands,” she recalled, “so I got to climb up on the filming table and hold the helicopter for the scene.”
Robert admits they never imagined their fun hobby could gain this much traction. “Success, in our minds, was just fantasizing about paying for the lighting equipment, poster boards and toys that we were using in the videos!” he said. “I remember when we started getting a little tickle of views that were generating maybe 50 cents a day, and I thought, ‘Boy, maybe I should get a real camera now!'”
(Image courtesy Genevieve’s Playhouse)
He did just that, purchasing a decent camera and an actual tripod; previously he’d been using a camcorder taped to a laptop. Then, finally, Robert allowed himself to hope that maybe the channel could one day pay some bills. “That was an exciting prospect, so you can imagine the surprise with what came later.”
Currently, their videos get produced in an offsite shop that’s within walking distance. Robert likes to go there to sift through toys, getting inspiration as to where a new video might emerge. “I can get ideas from looking at things online, but until I have them in my hands and actually mess with them, I won’t know for sure,” he said. “I’ll usually let an idea germinate for a few days, and as it does, more pieces fall into place.”
He then brainstorms on how to put together the video. “It’s all well and good to say, ‘I want this and this to happen, but until you think about how one shot leads to another, you don’t have a workable idea. I don’t do scripts, which is probably unusual. I’ve always found that I like the dialogue to be generated in the moment, so that the dialogue can smooth over unforeseen difficulties that often arise within the actuality of making the video.” In this way, he doesn’t put deadlines on himself, which means they only get one or two videos per month. In the end, that seems better than forcing out a higher quantity of lower-quality content.
(Image courtesy Genevieve’s Playhouse)
They credit their success to a number of converging factors. First, their fans have been wonderfully supportive. “They reach out and tell us what their kids enjoy, or how their kids engage with the videos,” Robert said, “and it’s so heartwarming and inspiring that it just makes us want to keep marching forward.” Also, every video they make is one they feel comfortable having their own children watch, so they’re confident their channel presents a safe, kid-friendly environment in which to be entertained and educated.
To what can they attribute their global reach? “Well, we’re not afraid to be silly and have fun,” Robert said, “and we always remember what it was like when we were kids.” They hope their joy while making the content is always noticeable to viewers, too.
Robert says the near future is opening onto “an exciting vista,” as they’ve just launched their own toy line in major U.S. retailers. It’s been surreal to see characters designed by Genevieve come to life in toy and animated form.
Of all the goodness these projects have brought to the family, the best thing — for which Robert feels thankful every day — is the togetherness, which allows him to savor abundant quality time with his girls. “They are my everything, and it’s just great to make memories that they will have long into the future.”
