5 online video themes from the viral experts

Haven’t found your talent yet for online video? Hear from the viral sensations like Kevin Nalts from the CamcorderInfo.com Blog interviews about creating content, including themes revolving around physical humor and politics. You’ll be surprised about how different their styles can be.

 

This requires a little bit of theatre and a little bit of spontaneity.  Most people go into sketch comedy with some sort of script and then shoot.

“I draft from friends and family. I don’t think I’ve ever hired an actor. Some of it is sketch-based so there is a little bit of acting required. I’m always surprised as to whom, of my family and friends, can do it naturally. For the most part, I draw in free talent. 

- Kevin Nalts, Blogger for WillVideoforFood (Interview)

2. Daily life
What distinguishes the mundane from the exceptional is how to represent daily life in an interesting way.

“Every day life is something we all go though.  The reason I have had so much success on YouTube is because people can relate to my situations in one way or another.”

- Cory “Mr. Safety” Williams, smpfilms (The Mean Kitty Song Q&A Interview)

3. Dirty humor
Lots of people debate this one, but many of the most viewed videos of all time on YouTube feature busty co-eds or shots of the behind. We’re not saying you should compromise your morals, but less-than-reputable videos have joined the ranks of the popular crowd.

“I think you need three things: (1) some skimpy underwear; (2) the ability to dance in a sexually provocative manner; and (3) to be a good-looking girl. If you've got those three things, your video will get hundreds of thousands of hits within days of being uploaded. If you're not a good-looking girl, you have to work a lot harder.”

- Mike Booth (somegreybloke Q&A Interview)

4. Politics
The presidential election only comes around every 4 years. Take advantage of primary season and election time by making political parodies or commentaries.

“The key to political stuff often seems to be coming up with something intelligent enough and insightful enough to attract diehard political junkies. We have a pretty girl in the group, and we all have filthy mouths, but it's not in our best interests to lead with that. The political stuff is its own realm, and has more of an intellectual audience. That's kind of cool. It's a little more challenging than finding excuses to punch actors in the balls on camera. Not that there's anything wrong with that.”

-Andy Cobb, Public Service Administration (John.he.is Q&A Interview)

Who doesn’t love a good David Bowie song mixed with Hillary Clinton’s face? Video-music mixes are strongly edited videos that can draw in audiences.

“It's also important to find a popular/topical subject and then to approach it in a slightly unusual or unexpected way. People don't watch online videos to see a second-rate version of what they could watch on TV and so having something distinctive or surprising about your video is important.”

- Hugh Atkin (Changes Q&A Interview)