A flash mob (literally: "Instant crowding") is an organized performance of a group of people (singers, artists, dancers) who work together on a large scale to surprise and entertain the public for a limited period of time with a performance. immediate. Performances can consist of dancing, singing or even attempts to break some records.
Doing something with many people and on a large scale can certainly be difficult and if you know how to organize a flash mob well, it can become a very rewarding event for both the participants and those who attend it.
Steps
Step 1. Try to fully understand what the purpose of a flash mob is
The flash mob is a performance that usually focuses on entertainment, generating amusing (and not dangerous) confusion or satirizing something that the public will understand immediately, reacting appropriately. It is something that is linked to spontaneity, involving the observers in a show from which they only expect to have fun with what they will see. Here are some things that "don't" have to do with the flash mob:
- A flash mob is not appropriate as a marketing tool for a product or service (despite numerous attempts at it), it is not for political purposes and it is not an advertising gimmick. The reason is that this is not about entertainment or satire. This type of event in fact provides that the observer will have to do something like buy a product, vote for someone or support a certain cause.
- A flash mob is no excuse to justify acts of violence or damage to private property. For such purposes, one must be part of a rioting crowd and not a flash mob. Never try to generate events of violence or danger by exploiting a flash mob. (Public authorities sometimes have the habit of indicating with the term flash mob events of criminal ferocity, but criminal behavior has nothing to do with flash mobs that are artistic exhibitions.)
Step 2. Choose the type of performance to present for your event
The success of a flash mob depends on originality, liveliness and how attractive the event is. Avoid copying a flash mob that has already been represented. Always make changes to any performance that has inspired you to make your event original and relevant locally. In all cases, the performance must be well studied in advance, it must be both proven and well explained in some way (for example, it is possible to put detailed instructions online), so that everyone knows perfectly their role and how to interact with the other participants. The performances of a typical flash mob involve a number of activities, such as:
- Dancing with a choreography: An example would be a large group dancing in the park to support a lover who is declaring himself to his girlfriend.
- Singing the aria of an opera, a yodel or a pop song. Any style is fine, but make sure it is interesting. An example would be singing a song about the wonderful properties of fruits and vegetables when in a supermarket.
- Staging a particular situation: for example, many people walking invisible dogs on a leash.
- Mime: An example would be pretending to want to find a passage through a wall that doesn't exist.
- Take advantage of an ongoing joyful event to spread love: An example would be a wedding, graduation or anniversary celebration taking place on the street, in a boulevard, or in any other public place.
- Attempting to Break a World Record: Attempting to break a new Guinness World Record in the presence of the largest possible audience.
- Being a living statue: all the participants become living statues and suddenly "freeze".
Step 3. Search YouTube and look at previous flash mobs
There are so many examples available that can be an excellent source of inspiration. You will also get an idea on how to manage your group of people in order to perform your performance in the best possible way. The critical points for the success of a flash mob are always the timing and execution
Step 4. Organize your flash mob
You will need willing participants and you will be able to draw on numerous resources that you will find online. Use social networks, emails and websites to search for people interested in the event. You can also use the resources of a group you belong to or other groups you spend time with. Also ask your friends and family if they want to attend your event.
- Use Facebook, Twitter, the flashmob.tv database and websites to recruit people. People will search for a flash mob using the words "flash mob," so be sure to include them in every message you create to find people.
- Use an online commercial to organize one inspired by some flash mob site.
- Improv Everywhere is a company located in New York and, although not all of its public performances are flash mobs, some are and you could join them if you live or are in New York.
- There are several local flash mob websites; you just have to use a search engine, indicating where you are and adding the term "flash mob".
Step 5. Give your group clear instructions
The success of the event absolutely depends on the fact that the participants know exactly what to do. It is best if you can organize a dress rehearsal, but if that is not possible, at least give clear instructions (both online and by email) about clothing, place and time and what to do (for example: be ready to freeze, to walk, to dance, to be gaping like fish, at the corner of via Mazzini and Corso Garibaldi at 7 am) and how long the show must last. If some participants have to interact together, it is better if they do tests first, in the name of timing and accuracy.
- If the instructions are simple, for example that everyone stands still in one place reading the newspaper with their eyes on the paper, then the simplicity of the action will not require any proof. In any case, it is always a good idea for anyone attending to meet somewhere and try to fine-tune the details, to clarify what is expected of the event and other participants and what to do once the event is over. It is also useful to explain what to do if the public is bored or if the police try to push the group away.
- If the instructions are complex, especially in scenes where choreography is required, consider having a smaller group of people who give certainty that they can meet for the dress rehearsal and maintain confidentiality about the event, rather than constitute a large group, which will be difficult to coordinate. About 50 people can be managed successfully, but larger numbers mean things are already starting to get tough.
- It would be easy enough to coordinate a dance troupe you're already a part of. For example, organizing a Zumba group at the local gym to do a street essay all together can be a great opportunity for participants to demonstrate what they have already learned.
Step 6. Organize the necessary props and costumes
It is best to ask participants to bring their own equipment or costumes (such as an evening dress, swimwear, wigs, whatever), but sometimes you will have to provide materials for everyone (such as leashes and collars for a walk with the dog Invisible).
If people have difficulty finding materials or making their own costumes, consider the idea of providing a workshop, where everyone has the opportunity to create the things they need. Either way, you should target simple clothes and items, or things that people already have in their wardrobe or at home
Step 7. Be aware of the limitations of your location
Take a look at the area where you plan to make your flash mob. There may be safety, legal or physical limits on what is possible to do in that area and to avoid running into legal problems it is important not to create traffic jams that threaten safety, problems of any kind or to involve people by interfering in their normal commitments.. While there is obviously a middle ground between encouraging people to watch the exhibition and blocking them by preventing their activities, it is necessary to assess that your flash mob is not causing emergency situations or violating the law. For example, if your flash mob is blocking fire exits, think again about where to make it.
As already mentioned, it explains to the participants what they should do in case the police or other public authorities order you to vacate the area. The best thing is to do what is required calmly and peacefully. In any case, a well-organized and legal flash mob will have ended before the authorities can arrive
Step 8. Organize a quality video for the event
It is extremely important to be able to have a video of the entire event that can be uploaded to YouTube. Who can tell? It could become very contagious! If that doesn't happen, it will serve as inspiration for future flash mobs.
Step 9. Here you go
You must be convinced that the flash mob will go according to plan! As the organizer, you are still responsible for ensuring that the flash mob adheres to what has been planned and does not create problems for the audience present.
Step 10. Finish as if nothing happened to you
Once the flash mob is over, do not allow participants to sit in a circle and chat with the audience. It is necessary that they blend in with the public itself and disappear at sunset as if nothing had ever happened.
Method 1 of 1: Flash Mob of Dance
It is the most common type of show that is performed and is often the most astonishing show.
Step 1. Choose a song
Do you want the event to be something lively or more persuasive? Do you prefer something well known or something that demonstrates a certain style, such as opera?
Step 2. Find someone who is a skilled choreographer
If it's about you, that's the best. If not, find someone who knows how to turn a dance group into something spectacular.
Step 3. Choose the right place for the dance
A park in a main city is ideal, especially during lunchtime or after work hours when everyone is returning home.
Step 4. Find a group of dancers
A dance flash mob can include any number of participants, but try to have between 50 and 75. It might seem like a pain to organize something like this, but the more participants you have, the more spectacular your flash mob dance will be.
Step 5. Instruct all participants in small groups of 4-30 people
This way, you don't have to keep many people in the same room or area all at once, and they can also entertain audiences from different perspectives. This is very useful for people who cannot see the whole scene unfolding in front of them.
Step 6. Choose a flash mob leader
He will be the best dancer ever, the person who will give the rhythm and the scene to the other dancers. The leader can start the show with a dance solo, performing a first step, then will involve a first group of 9-15 dancers who will join him performing the second step. Afterwards, the group doubles, adding another 16-30 dancers. The secret to a good flash mob is to gradually bring in all the dancers involved in the show. Finally, get the remaining dancers to join in the last part of the song, so that the entire group is eventually fully involved.
Step 7. Act like nothing has happened
As soon as the song ends, the dancers must disappear, mingling with the audience and act as if nothing had happened.
Advice
- If you want to make the flash mob more difficult, try depicting it on a city street when traffic is stopped. However, be careful that no one gets hurt and that traffic is not slowed down.
- Flash mobs don't have to be formally perfect in dance, behavior or other things. Don't expect everyone (except the leader) to perform perfectly - the key point is to have a huge group perform the show simultaneously.
- Try to keep the surprise. Unfortunately, the method by which you notify attendees will reveal the event to the public, but you could ask attendees to keep the information confidential and hope that the people who attend the flash mob have not been notified of the event! Remember to observe the regulations that may apply in the place where you want to make the flash mob.
Warnings
- Learn about local laws regarding large conventions in particular places. It might be illegal. Study the difference between public and private locations well, as well as the possibility that people may report you for trespassing. If you've left a trail on the internet, it won't be hard to find someone to complain, so make sure you know your stuff and are legal.
- You could be stopped by the police. Be prepared for such an event, do not argue or compare. Follow the directions and disband the group as required.
- Some people lack a sense of humor and will feel offended by a flash mob experience. This is quite likely in the event that the show takes place in a store or wherever there is a trade, as merchants will see the disruption as a possible detriment to sales, as something that will affect customer impressions and interfere with the work of their customers. employees. As we have already said, you have to do the work at home well and on time to make sure that your venture is not harmful and is not illegal, dangerous, jeopardizing safety or costing someone a lot. Know how to choose wisely.
