Two guys in the woods looking for viral video ideas

November 21, 2010 5:09 PM

I'm going to be in a cabin in the wilderness for three days with one of my best friends. We will each be bringing flip cameras with us. We want to make a viral video and we're looking for ideas of what to shoot/make. Any ideas? Go wild! We're open to just about anything. If we end up using your idea, we promise to mention your name in the credits.
posted by joshuamcginnis to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

How about you each do a series of video diaries about how you're stuck together and increasingly driving each other insane that culminates with a dramatic confrontation/murder/makeout fight? Up to you if it's comedic or sinister.
posted by ghharr at 5:38 PM on November 21, 2010

Blair Witch Project #87.5?
No, too mainstream.
Why don't you guys film some inspirational story about roasting marshmallows? Or you could do a documentary-esque deal where you discuss marshmallow roasting and tent pitching techniques, and act really serious about the entire thing.
Just throwing it out there.
posted by MHPlost at 5:42 PM on November 21, 2010

Viral?
posted by Roach at 6:13 PM on November 21, 2010

Hmm. Need more ideas!
posted by joshuamcginnis at 6:28 PM on November 21, 2010

um, maybe substitute the word "good" for "viral."
posted by history is a weapon at 6:39 PM on November 21, 2010

Do a Brokeback Mountain type of thing. I'd watch that.
posted by Lobster Garden at 6:45 PM on November 21, 2010

I tend to think that the most successful viral efforts are very, very planned, scripted and executed, even with improv -- it has to be randomness within a framework. Identifying your specific goal will help with its direction, too. Do you want your video to be a short movie that gets passed around a lot? Something that ends up getting remixed into a song (which would mean that's what gets passed around)?

Anyway, cabin in the woods = closed room stories, usually. That easily lends itself to horror. See: The Shining (madness/ghosts), Cabin Fever (virus), Antichrist (devil), Blair Witch Project (ghosts/madness), Dead Snow (zombies), Evil Dead (demons). Basically, it's the idea that what's scariest is just outside of this supposed haven of safety! and omg, it's getting in! and one of you is turned into one of the things! and everyone dies! and one of you doesn't die and escapes to safety and the world at large but is actually a carrier!

Since you're working within three minutes, you could start in the middle of the action. I think a comedy version of the scary thing could work pretty well.
posted by lhall at 6:57 PM on November 21, 2010

[link removed - please put it in your profile if you'd like people to look at it, thanks.]
posted by jessamyn at 7:09 PM on November 21, 2010

When I think "cabin in the woods", I naturally think of "bored out of my mind", which eventually leads to "fart-lighting contest". While it might not go viral, the national interest in fart-lighting contests has never in history been higher than it is now. So I advise you to bring lots of canned beans, cabbage and beer and several changes of underwear, as well as some kitchen matches. If there was ever a sure thing, this is it. Run with it.
posted by motown missile at 10:52 PM on November 21, 2010

Cannibalism is usually good for some yuks, and is not as played out as zombies.
posted by rikschell at 5:11 AM on November 22, 2010

Recreate Baghead.
posted by rabbitsnake at 6:36 AM on November 22, 2010

These days anybody could make a "Fishing with John" type video series. The ice fishing one in particular could work for you.
posted by bwanabetty at 7:28 PM on November 22, 2010