Flash Mob / Lip Dub
A flash mob is a creative, exciting way to get attention for your cause.
Step 1: Be Creative
There needs to be more to your flash mob than just a dance routine to make it stand out. Think of ways to make a unique statement about bullying prevention. Ideas to include are a moment of silence, freeze frame (with bullying statistics, songs that focus on bullying behavior, sing-along, etc.)
Step 2: Pick a Tune that connects to your cause
Pick a song that will catch everyone’s attention. Choose a song that conveys support, bystander intervention, being kind, etc.
Step 3: Practice, Be Prepared
Gather a group of students, teachers, staff and parents who are willing to participate. Find someone who is an experienced dancer or choreographer who can breakdown the moves for everyone. Choose moves that are easy to learn and accommodate all abilities. Provide multiple opportunities and practice over a variety of easy-to-use mediums (YouTube, Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime, virtual meeting space, etc.) Having everyone working together is part of what makes the process effective and will impress onlookers. Also, figure out your audio-visual needs. Can you plug your phone into the room’s overhead speakers to play your song(s)? Do you need to bring and set up speakers that are powerful enough to fill the room?
Step 4: Choose a Date, Time and Location
The best places for flash mobs are large, high-traffic public spaces where lots of people gather. Whether you choose to target a local park, a food court at the mall, fair, carnival or sporting event, pick a day and time of the week during the location’s busiest hours.
Being Safe: Contact the facility management to gain permission and/or support.
Step 5: The Element of Surprise
While we want many participants, we also want to keep our event a secret from the general public. A well-executed flash mob performance should be kept secret up until the moment it begins. Catching your audience off guard is crucial.
Step 6: Be a Cinematographer
Designate plenty of volunteers to record the performance. You could enlist the help of the audio-visual department from your school. Providing multiple angles and audience reaction will provide a quality recording in the end.
Step 7: Share your product
The goal of a flash mob is to bring awareness to the need for and importance of bullying prevention. Sharing your product beyond that day is a way to continue that work. Utilize social media, school website, etc. to spread your video and help it go viral!
For some very creative examples: Cyberbullying Research Center