Joie de vivre

The Black Eyed Peas' song "I Gotta Feeling" is a feel-good, upbeat, get-yer-booty-movin' tune that causes even the stuffiest music elitists to shake their moneymakers...I've seen it happen.  It has caused an some pretty interesting positive activity in the social media world, which is a nice counter to much of what the news outlets try to feed us every day.

I believe the first video to go viral (related to the song) was of an appearance by the Peas on a special outdoor episode of Oprah. The crowd of thousands surprised her by breaking into a choreographed flash mob dance. It's apparent on their faces how much fun they're having, and Oprah is just stunned.




One project that spoke to me on a personal level was a lip-dub homage video created by 172 communications students at L'Université du Québec à Montréal. It's clear they are having a great time making this video, and they pulled off an enormous feat by choreographing it to take place in one continuous shot.  No edits.  172 kids, almost five minutes of music, an enormous byzantine building -- all in a single shot.  Amazing. 

The video took me back to my Webster University days of 16mm black & white films, gargantuan editing equipment, late night recording sessions, blown studio monitors, cajoling actors and animals to hit their cues, the lovely smell of stop bath, and pre-dawn rides on the psychedelic elevator.  More than anything, though, it reminds me of just how much I loved the camaraderie of like-minded kids for the first time ever.  That was joie de vivre.

Thank you, students of UQAM, for taking a great feel-good song and making it pretty much the best one ever.

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