LFGSS viral road safety video idea

Hello,

I posted some idea in the thread about the Peckham accident, and I wonder if this was something that could see the light somehow.

My initial post: http://www.londonfgss.com/post732540-127.html

Does anyone on here know hot to do camera and cutting work?

Maybe a LFGSS video, that first illustrates the human cost (an interview with a relative of a victim, maybe even a driver, near misses, a policeman), then maybe filming some dangerous moves in London traffic and have people from the board explaining why it's a stupid thing to do.

Finally, spreading this video around on youtube, vimeo etc, and then linking it in every blog, Facebook comment, Myspace etc that we can.

I am sure that could have some impact if done well.

Unfortunately I have no idea about video editing, directing or shooting whatsoever, so I am not sure how to tackle this. So I opened this thread to discuss how, who etc ...

Not a bad idea

See if you can get it on the CTC weekly email

Happy to help with project management....

I run StitchThat, making viral videos for a living. We also do directing, producing, DPing, editing, the lot.

Most important question is, who's paying?

Loads of people here can edit, finish, sound finish, gfx video stuff on here, myself included. So I hereby offer my services for this.

I reckon it would important to get one of the campaign bodies (namely LCC) to support us in this and contribute to the advice given...

Also it will need to have a 'hook' that will actually succeed in making it 'go viral' -- its no use making a po-faced 'don't do this and that' video, no one will forward it.

TooTallTim no one is paying.

I was kidding.

Sorry. Think you may be the man for the job: humour fail on my part.

Loads of people here can edit, finish, sound finish, gfx video stuff on here, myself included. So I hereby offer my services for this.

I reckon it would important to get one of the campaign bodies (namely LCC) to support us in this and contribute to the advice given...

Also it will need to have a 'hook' that will actually succeed in making it 'go viral' -- its no use making a po-faced 'don't do this and that' video, no one will forward it.

As Skully said it's going to have that quirk which actually makes i successful and not just another safety video. I can imagine that it's going to be pretty hard to think of something good and then need a bit of luck for it to catch on.

Lots of creative/media types on here so I'm sure some decent ideas could be generated.

I may not be able to help out on the editing front as we're snowed, but could shoot it. You're right about the hook/angle, it needs something to catch a viewer within 13seconds, make them laugh, say 'woah' or 'cool', or have some topical peg to make sure people send it on.
Will happily help develop ideas on this with everyone.

Sounds like there's only one thing that can do all that - nudity.

Fucking ace idea.

Few ideas that I just thought of:

*Clown on a unicycle/other ridiculous bike, circus music, cruising around town weaving in traffic and generally being a pillock. Gets in an accident, the tag of "It wasn't funny then, it isn't funny now"

• Cyclist with a chameleon head, eyes looking in all directions. Angle of 'keep your eyes on what's happening around you'. Could develop this a bit to have cyclist with eyes in the back of their head, saying 'you don't have this, so make sure you keep aware of what's happening'
  

Sounds like there's only one thing that can do all that - nudity.

If only there was a way to combine this with the attack of the 50 fixed women ride...

if it's to do with road safety, it needs to involve a squirrel. FACT.

^^ i'm defo in for a video action. can film and edit, too + a make it look good providing some gfx work and/or make nice title gfx, lower 3rds and subs. so let's stick heads together and figure sth. out.

live saver video making list:

1. Pascalo (?) ideas, danger assessment for situation to be shot, writing treatment ?
   
2. jemjah (?) cam, editing (audio?) ?
   
3. reeen cam, editing, post pro + gfx (have my workstation, need shooting equip.), support for pre production stuff + treatment
   
   

i think a video that is unlike a driving school lesson, namely without any sense of fun and or humor in it, but with the necessary whittyness and passion/substance to become a valuable source of info and heads up for beginners and well made enough (entertaining maybe, not in a bad way) for more pro alley cats is whot i'd aim for (let's discuss and analize some footage out there).

plus i really like some forum 'authorities' being mugshot with comments or for advise, or better voice overs for situation descriptions and loadsa' unique ppl to make it interesting to watch and street cred! < haha!

a quick ride with crazy james and have the wise oliver comment it in the VO ;)

... anyone?

The "keep a better look out" or "don't be an ill informed cyclist" message isn't one I'd be keen to pass on as it gives other road users more ammunition against cyclists.

Cyclists are can't be safe in London on their own merit... lots of things have to change. (road layouts, driver awareness, congestion, etc.)

If you/we come up with an awesome idea then I'd be happy to help. (video editing, graphic design, online interactive, etc.)

if it's to do with road safety, it needs to involve a squirrel. FACT.

Erm, OK. But do I have to be naked... that might just result in my arrest :-(

Loads of different shots of various people holding cards standing by busy roads, saying 'ped.', 'cyclist', 'HGV driver', 'school run driver, 'Taxi Driver', 'Bus Driver'. Emphasising that they all look pretty similar when they're not in/on their mode of transport, that they're all vulnerable in this state.

Then have a sequence where they all wrestle and fight. In the middle of a junction, holding up traffic. Cut to massive jams, ambulances, LAA etc.

Then tag: Someone could get hurt.

Music 'why can't we be friends' by War.

I know... too serious.

I can only offer my support in planning the video, helping out with bits and bobs, and if needed website coding, hosting etc.

I am not sure about the 'hook' ...

The last video I was really impressed with was the Geekhouse thing on vimeo.
Also the courier races are hugely popular on youtube.

I guess my initial idea about this is to have various people from the forum in interview snippets, like a documentary, explaining the silly things they see in the street. Then illustrated with shots from the street side or a helmet cam. Real life examples if you will.

It's debatable, but it doesn't need to come across as patronizing in my mind. What I'd definitely avoid is something that comes across like a "road safety look" for the video, i.e. someone that is clearly from some road safety org, in a hi viz vest, with helmet and all reflectors, doing school type cycling maneuvers. I saw videos like that in school and on TV when I was in still in germany, and I thought they were nodders.

Bottom line was that it should look like people from, real cyclists, real situations, real life, not like an advert for something or something out of a road safety text book.

Btw: When I say "I can only offer my support in planning the video, helping out with bits and bobs, and if needed website coding, hosting etc." I mean that I haven't got a clue about what else needs doing to get a video off the ground. Definitely chipping in time if I can help in any kind of way.

same same as Pascalo. Would love to help but don't know anything on the techincal video front or how to get it off the ground...

Lots of great ideas bouncing around, but can we 'narrow' it down a little to who would be doing what... ?

By the way do you guys all know each other or is this just an anomymous forum for people?

also, i work in a bike shop myself part time at weekends... it would be good to have something at hand to show customers the basic dangers, obviously not to put them off buying a bike, but something friendly (and not too fierce that scares people) to make them 'more aware' of risks...

commercial adverts for drink drivers, there's plenty, the same should be represented for cyclists in a very basic 'what not to do scenario'.

with a video we could even send it to ITV etc (as well as a you-tube post) to maybe get a greater response, never know, they might even show it!! needs to be good though!

After next week I've got loads of time, a v.decent headcam, and probably could borrow one our clubs HD cams. I can help with ideas, my heads full of them for this.
i like skully's and with a little tweak we could have a good vid.

However: viral hits have to hit one demographic. The internet boys, so I'm suggesting the inclusion of something to intrigue them.

... another approach or possible hook for the video could be leaning into a bit of an explanation of bad things like RLJ. i see ppl do it without a clue how a junction works. on an intersections where i stopped due to being a bit to big to grasp quickly/unknown to me i saw a messenger girl go right elegant trough it. she 'knew how it works' obviously. so but most ppl do it ... so, how? what to take into account for someone who has the itch, probably would just go for it and gets a heads up through this.

i just don't like the it's not leagal/save attitude while it's being done all the time and nothing gets said about it other than don't do it.

Slightly leftfield- but what about something like a flash game?

Just thinking it would be easier to do (for someone with the skills) than legging it around London with a camera etc.

You could have the hook of zooming through traffic etc, pulling "rad to the power of sick" skids, but then also have sections where you have to negotiate HGV's etc, where passing on the left is verboten. Possibly some message at this point re the dangers?

You'd have to be very carefull not to make people try to splat their cyclist asap though- see the "smack kids on the head if they are not wearing a helmet" thing that surfaced a few days ago.