For a decade, Markiplier was the king of the face-cam—that little box in the corner of a let's-play video. But over the last two years, he has pivoted hard into traditional filmmaking, and he’s doing it with the same "do it yourself" energy that built his YouTube channel.

The obsession with GoPro started during the production of his upcoming horror movie, Iron Lung. Because the movie takes place entirely inside a cramped, blood-filled submarine, he couldn't fit traditional Hollywood cameras into the set. He started "rigging" GoPros everywhere—strapping them to his chest, mounting them to the walls, and even dunking them in literal vats of fake blood.

The result? A generation of kids who no longer see the GoPro as something you only use while skiing or surfing. They see it as a "tactical" film tool. They don't want to be "vloggers" like the stars of 2018; they want to be "cinematographers" who can film a high-octane action sequence in their backyard.

You might have seen headlines or videos from creators like Mizkif claiming Markiplier’s "GoPro gamble" could land him in prison or that there’s a "scandal" brewing. Take a breath: it’s mostly typical YouTube hyperbole.

The "scandal" usually refers to Mark’s notoriously intense work ethic—he has a habit of pushing himself (and his equipment) to the absolute physical limit, often resulting in hospital visits or broken gear. The "gamble" is purely financial. Mark is betting his personal brand on the idea that GoPro can be a professional filmmaking tool, not just an "action cam." For your kid, the "scandal" is just part of the lore. It makes the gear feel edgy and "pro" rather than like a toy.

If your teen is asking for chest mounts, head straps, and "media mods," they’re leaning into the "tactical filmmaker" vibe. This isn't about looking pretty for a selfie; it’s about the "POV" (Point of View) perspective.

If your kid is already down the Markiplier-GoPro rabbit hole, don't just view it as another expensive gadget. This is a wide-open door to actual career skills.

Ask them about "The Rig" Don't just ask "what are you filming?" Ask "how are you mounting it?" Filmmaking is 90% problem-solving. If they’re trying to figure out how to strap a camera to a bicycle wheel or a dog’s collar to get a specific shot, they’re learning mechanical engineering and composition.

Encourage the "B-Roll" Markiplier is a master of "B-roll"—those cinematic transition shots of objects, landscapes, or textures. Tell your kid to try and tell a story without using their voice, just using the camera. It’s a masterclass in visual literacy.

Point them toward real editing software A GoPro is only as good as the edit. If they’re serious, move them away from phone apps and toward something like DaVinci Resolve (which has a powerful free version). This is the software Hollywood uses. If they can learn to color-grade their GoPro footage to look like Iron Lung, they’ve just gained a professional skill.

Q: Is Markiplier's content appropriate for my teen? Markiplier is generally considered "cleaner" than many top YouTubers, but he does use profanity and his recent projects (like Iron Lung) are intense horror. If they’re watching his filmmaking vlogs, it’s mostly technical and inspirational.

Q: Why does my kid need so many accessories for a GoPro? The "Markiplier style" relies on unique angles. A "Media Mod" adds a better microphone, while "Mounts" allow the camera to go where humans can't. You don't need all of them at once—start with a basic "chesty" (chest mount) and let them earn the rest by showing you a finished edit.

Q: Is the GoPro "scandal" something I should worry about? No. It’s clickbait nomenclature for "Markiplier did something intense/expensive/risky for a video." There is no actual legal or moral scandal involving the cameras.

Markiplier’s move into GoPro isn't a celebrity endorsement; it’s a creative manifesto. He’s telling his audience that they don't need a $50,000 RED camera to make a movie—they just need a $400 action cam and a lot of duct tape. If your kid is catching this bug, they aren't just "watching screens"—they’re learning how to build the world behind them.