Student Work

The Viral Media Mashup Project

Students work in small groups to produce 3 iterations of a mash-up of at least two viral media artifacts. The mashups should be no longer than 80 seconds, unless there is an extraordinary justification, but be at least 6 seconds (Vine length). Students have one week from the release of the final version, the final exam date.

https://youtu.be/inyWDnFt2K4 Hawkeye Hates Children

Each class meeting for first 3 of the last 4 meetings of the semester we complete videos, solicit feedback from peers in the classroom and in social networks, then refine the product based on feedback–and repeat. The goal is two fold: One is to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of why certain phenomenon become viral and to comment upon that, and 2, to turn this commentary into something viral itself. (How meta?/!).

https://youtu.be/0pPGvo5TNaY Reactions to Miley

On the last day of class, we release our final products into the wild, presenting the issues, concepts and techniques the to whole class. Any group that is able to leverage 1000 views on a video before the final exam date will automatically receive an A on the project. Any group that doesn’t hit a combined total of 1000 views will have their project evaluated the old fashioned way–by measuring them with the bulleted learning outcomes below.

https://youtu.be/0y9tU61wQIM Durka Duk kid

Understanding which, how, and why (media) things go viral in our society. (Aesthetics)
Using digital media (the nature of it and its networks) to comment upon the content or form or both. (Conceptual)
Learning basic audio and video editing in the context of mashups, as well as other related skills and requirements. (Technical)
Thinking and acting using terms from related arenas, such as ethical, legal, or marketing–Familiarity with applicable intellectual property issues, making a plan for distribution, and how those skills and features may be applied other venues. (Execution)

https://youtu.be/fqzze4drr40 Kittens inspired by the Rock

On this page are the top ten (these go to eleven) greatest viral media mashup hits (according to my preferences in Fall 2015). Not all of them are safe for work or appropriate for sensitive viewers. When looking at them, see if you can figure out what students used as media ingredients, what they did right, and what they might have done differently or better. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/31CDhMJMv_4 Never seen before wardrobe malfunction