(The Verge) – We’ve all seen many viral video crazes come and go. Some examples include the Keyboard Cat, bad news reporting, and the occassional hit video from an account we never have heard of. Although these videos have become mainstays in YouTube history, viral video crazes seem to be coming in and out quicker than some people can produce them.
One of the most interactive viral videos ever to be made is the Harlem Shake. For those of you who do not know, they use a song ironically called “Harlem Shake” by Bauuer, and it starts off with one person with their head covered in some type of helmet, cloth or other suit. About halfway in the video, everyone is dressed crazily and is making their own dance move. This video is interesting because it allows for people to do the dance anywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40UN6nuArKU
Even here at Monmouth University, the Harlem Shake has caught on. It caught on so much, that at the men’s basketball game against Saint Francis Brooklyn in Feb., Monmouth Athletic’s marketing dept. decided to coordinate a filming of the Harlem Shake in the MAC. Eddy Occhipinti, Director of Marketing for Monmouth University Athletics, says that “if more of these type of videos become viral in the future, expect for Monmouth to be getting people together to take part.”
There have also been a lot of celebrities and athletes who have taken part in the Harlem Shake videos. From musicians like Matt & Kim, to late night talk show hosts like Jimmy Fallon, everyone has been doing the Harlem Shake.
Another viral video trend is inserting goats into screaming parts of songs. It is usually done in songs that are well-known, such as “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift, or “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. There is also a video of Oprah being dubbed by a goat when she is introducing guests such as Mariah Carey and Madonna.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHaMOX_paM
Mary Harris, a specialist professor in the Comm department, teaches a class about Social Media. In this class, students analyze and determine why a video or post went viral. “The current trends I have noticed with viral videos fall into several categories: celebrity, talent, humor, animals, babies, and how-tos,” said Harris. “My prediction will be that this path with continue, but I think that any trend that can inspire people to get involved and create their own short videos around a similar theme will do well.”
Harris also notes that according to social media specialist Mari Smith, 2013 is expected to be the year of viral videos. “Video has been an ideal way for people to communicate, share creative ideas, create a sense of community, and offer and receive feedback,” she said.
For junior Sarah Vander Wall, her favorite viral video dates back to last spring, when multiple college sports teams did parodies of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” This is the original video made by the Harvard University baseball team.
Videos on YouTube are beginning to become viral quicker than ever before. Sites like YouTube and Vimeo are allowing us to share videos with the world in minutes. What will the next trend be?
