"You've got to see this." That's the mating call of the viral video.
The video de jour is of the wedding entrance by Minnesota couple Kevin Heinz and Jill Peterson, dancing their way down the aisle with their wedding party to Chris Brown's thumpin' beat.
More than 2.2 million have clicked on it and chuckled on YouTube, and pirates have ripped it off by reposting with their own marketing.
The happy couple appeared on the "Today" show on Friday. Peterson said she danced growing up, and that the idea came naturally. The rehearsal time for the entire entrance? About an hour and a half, she said. (Not much more than some wedding rehearsals I've been in.)
Why do some viral videos become a smash? (Remember the N.C. sewer monster?) It seems somewhat random, but all comes down to the "Awesome!" factor. "Awesome!", like "cool!" is an exclamation that comes naturally to many people when we see something we like. But "cool!" was for cars and T-shirts. "Awesome!" is for videos and iPhones. "Awesome!" requires surprises -- like when one of the wedding party flips up and walks on his hands. (Although the two bridesmaids early on who are tightly choreographed really make it.)
I'm not sure one can plan or cultivate a viral video. The awesomeness unfolds on camera, and YouTube is the petrie dish where the virus grows. I like it. Like all social networking, it's a way to share.
And you know that guy who walked on his hands will never buy another beer in his life back home in Minnesota. All he'll have to do is say, "Remember that wedding video? I'm that guy who..."
Now that is what a wedding is all about,a celebration.I think that is one of the sweetest wedding video's I have seen
ReplyDeleteOriginal. To each his own.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who does anything like it in the future will look like a lame copycat.
I love this video!! The Observer is writing about the things we all do and look at.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! They all looked like they were having a blast!
ReplyDeleteRare to see something so upbeat in the news. Glad the Absurder wrote about it.
ReplyDeleteThe key to this video is the 'surprise' but also the really positive, happy vibe it presents. These people are expressing joy. There is nothing arrogant about it. The video says, HAPPY. Plus, it is perfectly staged. Not staged in the sense that it is faked, but staged in that it the entrance was planned very well, moment by moment. Part of the joy of this video is watching every person, one by one. Plus, Chris Brown's song is so right, no matter what you think of the singer.
ReplyDeleteSweet!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine a more exuberant or auspicious beginning for a marriage! And here's what I love -- the joy and the willingness of all the participants, regardless of ability. I can't see any evidence that anyone evoked the "I can't dance" mantra. They all dance. They dance as if no one is watching. They dance as if everyone is watching. What a lovely gift to the wedded couple.
ReplyDeleteVery upbeat music and young people having a blast hamming it up on the dance in. Who wouldn't think it was a blast? That's what a wedding is supposed to be about... pure joy!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE it! I can't believe in all the years people have been having boring, traditional weddings, that no one thought of this before ! Fun, fun, fun, fun, FUN! Sing a joyful noise until the Lord! Totally appropriate in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteI love love love love love it.
ReplyDeleteTalk about thumbing your nose at tradition! Of course, when I got married, we dispensed with the ceremony altogether.
ReplyDeleteSure, it's cool and sweet and fun, but IT'S NOT NEWS!
ReplyDelete