Meet Sacha Stevenson. His gloriously funny 'How do Indonesian YouTube videos making headlines. Sacha loves Indonesia and has a weakness for its social problems.
When did you move in Indonesia?
I moved in 2001. I took a course to teach English at home, and the first people who wanted to hire me were Jakarta. So I came and stayed. I guess I just wanted to get out of Canada that bad.
Your YouTube video went viral in Indonesia. Tell us how the videos begin!
I tried to do a couple of web series but it is all about the things I do not know very well, and it is not interesting. My bule friends began to introduce me as 'Sasa'; "It is the Indonesian half," they say They joke about how I am Indonesian We hang out in someone's house, sitting on chairs around the coffee table.. Give me one and I'll stay on soil They tease me and say. "You have to be more like a bule Sacha You should come out with us more.". Then I thought, "Wait a minute, I should not learn from them, they should learn from me . I do a series on "How to act Indonesia" because what I know. "
Viewers posting negative comments on your videos, how do you respond to them?
I made the videos in English, so that the people I was trying to reach are Indonesians who understand the language and foreign cultures. But still, there are people who are not very tolerant of . These latter comments started coming in about a week after I uploaded it then other people who have read and commented on their backs on those who called me names and said. "Oh grow up, it is just kidding". I like it because it becomes a kind of platform for people to discuss these things. I received this message of hatred, however, that my physical threat. I do not delete comments such as these; everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Will we see 'boring YouTube comments with Indonesians being a topic in your video?
If you ask, I'll do it!
You tweeted something about a ban on YouTube. What is happening?
I got a strike of the EU directive on YouTube. This is usually because someone reported your videos as inappropriate. A message from YouTube said "we have reviewed your video and found inappropriate content. So they took down the video, and I lost some of my rights as a YouTube partner. I filed some papers and the ban was lifted the next day I guess I met the right person to straighten it.
When I arrived, I was living the school I taught at in provided me a home. I am trying to learn Indonesian, but I really am not meet and talk with someone there. So I moved out of the house and pembantu quarter. So my neighbors were a tukang bakso , and Haji pak. I learned Indonesian by hanging and observe them.
He worked obviously you speak Indonesian well.
Oh, there are also two things that helped; Every Friday I go home with a copy of Bobo magazine (the magazine for children) and try to understand all the comics and learn simple words, write, and memorize 20 words a day. I thought the first words that I should learn are those appropriate for children. The other thing is Iwan Fals songs. I would buy his tapes, translate a few words, and that's how I learned swear words.
You sang some original songs on YouTube. How did it start?
I do not write too often, usually only if I have a special thing in my mind and get out the would make me feel better. It is a way of expressing myself. But I like to write lyrics more than the music itself.
Your song "Budaya" was the first original I heard you on Youtube. Why did you write this song?
I just returned from Egypt and a guy told me it about FGM and how they defended the act because it was their "budaya" (culture) . I thought it was a good theme for a song, to talk about how culture is no excuse for such acts.
what kind of genre are you?
I like the best folk music. For about 15 years, I listened to Ani DiFranco. I do not really listen to popular music.
What about the documentary work you want to do?
I like social issues, so I tried to make a documentary about street children. I slept for three days at Jalan Jaksa with street children to make this documentary, but while I was editing, I felt it was depressing, and stopped doing it. I am waiting for something that really inspires me, so I'll try again. Part of the YouTube thing is for me to practice to do my own production.
You saved in a sinetron. The plans on doing it again?
No, it's a horrible industry. A standard sinetron contract you sign up for 600 episodes and be happy, but the contract is only to protect the production company. So if you want to cut the sinetron after five episodes, they are free to do so. Then you'll be stuck with this contract, unable to work with other programs, and you will be out of work for eight months. This is not the lifestyle I want, either. I prefer to travel shows.
I will build a community around my YouTube channel ?; My dream job is to be a YouTuber. It's hard to explain to my mother, but she understands now.
Tell us a little about Bule Blades!
I rollerbladed from Jakarta to Bali. It started because I am frustrated with work in television, feeling like I have no control over anything, traffic piss me off; there were a number of factors. So I just wanted to do something good. And it was like a green campaign; if I can rollerblade from Jakarta to Bali, then you can bike to work, or change one or two habits to improve the city. He has not really had a big impact; I could have sold better. But you live and learn.
If you leave Indonesia, will you miss the most?
I'd probably miss the sound of pengamen , because it is very distinctive Jakarta. I believe in everything I do in the future, it will be something to do with Indonesia.