For this event, we did four mob activities along Rundle Mall on Saturday August 1st 2009.
We did things a bit differently by giving out the instructions before the event while usually mobbers don’t get them until they show up on the day and receive a sheet of papper with the details. It seemed to work in getting more people out as this was our biggest flashmob event so far with around 50 people.
Check out the instructions for the event including details of each activity. Watch the video below and read the comments from event participants. Add your own comments.
Funny Video Moments
3:20– Guy in white jumper and blonde girl in pink top arrive after Chibo Cheers has finished and stand around waiting for something to happen…
3:55– Guy in black jumper with a coke walks by with a smile on his face
4:02– Two girls in red, apparently they weren’t part of the mob and just decided to join in. At the end they said “why did we just do that?”
4:12– Tall, thin guy with light coloured clothing standing to the left of the girl with the camera, looking around interested
4:34– Girl in denim jacket and girl in brown jacket enter from the right and look on shocked. They make another appearance at 4:55 (behind the pole) and are left standing confused once everyone disperses
Long time mobbers would recognise that 3/4 of the mobs we did were ones we’d done in the past so we had a good feeling that they would work. The Line was no exception. There’s something about a long line of people that just turns heads, and when you add that they guy at the front is holding a sign saying “please line up here” but with no explanation of why, people must stare while their minds search for an explanation.
Everyone seems to be in agreement that Chibo Cheers was the best activity and the most fun to participate in. As expected, the cheering and clapping quickly brought a crowd of onlookers. It’s hard to say whether they were more confused by the subject of our commotion or the speed of our arrival and departure.
Our last two activities were more subtle both visually and audibly. Some people in their own little worlds just walked on by without even noticing, those more observant stopped, realising that something wasn’t quite right. I think Boing Boing would’ve been better if we had people look in different directions and stand not so much in a circle formation. Murmer worked pretty well, might have perhaps been better if we’d spread out a bit more.
To end the event, those who wanted to headed into City Cross for some food and a chat. In order to identify themselves as mobbers they were instructed to put their left hand on their head and walk around until they met up with others doing likewise. This wasn’t captured on the video but it was pretty funny and certainly confused the security guard on duty.
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We love hearing about funny bystander reactions so if you can remember any or notice any good ones in the video, please put them in the comments. Here’s some other questions we’d like to get your answers to.
- Which of the four activities did you think worked the best?
- Do you think the fact that we gave out the instructions before the event made it better or worse?
- Do you have any ideas for future events?
- Any other comments or suggestions?