How to Start A Flash Mob

Simple guidelines for creating a Flash Mob or Cacophonous Event.

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Step 1: Have an (original) idea

These are harder to come by than you think. Flash Mobs and Cacophonous Events aren't very effective if nobody attends and they aren't very fun if you're only aping something that's already been done in another city.

Ideally, they should be any one or combination of the following:

- Silly fun ( Pillow Fight Club, [http://Spontaneous Musical Food Court Musical])
- Subversive ( Frozen Grand Central, Critical Mass, Belarusian Ice Cream Mob, Smile Mob)
- Costumed Rampage ( Santarchy, Zombie Mob, The Brides of March)
- Benignly disruptive ( ATM Applause Mob)

A wider range of people are more likely to join you if your event does not:

- Promote a profit-making enterprise
- Exalt a specific individual or group
- Cost much (if anything) to participate in
- Have overtly political overtones (then it's a demonstration, and you will get tear gassed)

Sadam and Osama says: May 1, 2008. 6:52 PM

I like that watch!

tmanh in reply to Sadam and OsamaAug 21, 2012. 7:40 PM

Check it out,Bro : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz_PeVlgCcc

squidmike says: Jan 13, 2009. 2:59 PM

Why would someone want to create a flash mob?

TheBestJohn in reply to squidmikeFeb 16, 2009. 10:40 PM

read the instructable... it's not a flash riot. it's a mob... these things can be massively fun and NON destructive

squidmike in reply to TheBestJohnApr 23, 2009. 3:32 PM

That doesn't answer my question. Okay, so they're massively fun, but why do you need to create a flash mob?

rroberts8 in reply to squidmikeAug 15, 2011. 2:45 PM

A flash mobs purpose is to show off the creative and randomness of a group of people to entartain a group of people other than the flash mobbers and then to reform with the natural grouping........PLUS ITS REALLY REALLY REALLY FUN!!!!!!!!

freakyqwerty in reply to squidmikeNov 27, 2010. 10:53 AM

To have fun. Why else would you want a mob?

merideathx says: May 1, 2008. 2:20 PM

Little known fact - Improv Everywhere's Grand Central Terminal stunt was not all that subversive. They actually got permission to do it beforehand and had a Metro-North representative on-site the whole time who had given it the OK. When I think of "flash mob" I guess I don't really think of asking permission first...

vmcampos says: Apr 28, 2008. 2:51 PM

fireandshadows, Did you not read my post? I said it's a waste of time because instead of doing something productive, or helpful, flashmobs show up to do something frivolous. Why not organize these people to clean graffiti, clean a sidewalk, or something like that. Yes, it's "in the name of fun" but not everyone can have fun in this world. Shouldn't we try to make the world a better place for everyone, instead of for selfish, frivolous reasons?

TheBestJohn in reply to vmcamposFeb 16, 2009. 10:42 PM

sounds like you need to go out and have some fun...

JamesRPatrick in reply to vmcamposMay 27, 2008. 5:40 PM

Every party has a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper.

Lithium Rain in reply to JamesRPatrickApr 20, 2009. 10:09 AM

mspark400 in reply to vmcamposMay 9, 2008. 11:24 AM

don't get me wrong im all for improvment of the world but ... all work and no play makes jack a dull boy +1

xanxor in reply to vmcamposMay 3, 2008. 9:50 PM

Do you mean tags or graffiti?

technodude92 in reply to xanxorMay 5, 2008. 2:22 PM

I think he means both.

LAZy I in reply to vmcamposMay 2, 2008. 10:59 AM

no. random absurdity is the key component of the universe

cornflaker in reply to vmcamposMay 2, 2008. 4:50 AM

But, if you tried to do the same thing, except cleaning graff, picking up rubbish etc... No one will turn up! because like you said its just for some fun, and cleaning graffiti isn't fun. P.S. I don't disagree with making the world a better place I do agree that it is something we should all try to do, but cleaning graffiti won't really help those who can't have fun.

tmanh in reply to cornflakerAug 21, 2012. 7:39 PM

same idea like you,man.! ^^

static in reply to vmcamposMay 1, 2008. 10:19 PM

But is it anymore frivolous than meeting friends at the movie theater or any other entertainment venue? Yes we should try to make the world a better place, yes everyone is this world can have fun on can have fun as well. Those who do get to get together and do those positive things you mentioned have fun doing so or at least a measure of satisfaction. All about balance You do have a valid point to make, but you could have done so in better manner.

phrakture in reply to vmcamposMay 1, 2008. 9:10 PM

Man.... I wish instructables.com were MY soap box! 3 cheers for flash mobs anyway, regardless of what this guy is griping about

mega_swordman in reply to vmcamposMay 1, 2008. 7:10 PM

I think what you are advocating would work in theory, but would fail in reality. This is due to the fact that this mob idea is just something fun that people can go out an do to just be spontaneous and random. Organizing a public work group would be much harder simply because you are "making" people do work, which people would rather not do.

static in reply to mega_swordmanMay 1, 2008. 10:26 PM

In reality success would depend on timing and knowing the people you invite, no matter the purpose of the event and the end goal . You can't make anyone to have fun or work, you can only ask.

mega_swordman in reply to staticMay 2, 2008. 8:44 PM

True. You are correct, but what I was trying to relate was the fact that the turnout for a service project would be significantly less then that of the world's largest pillow fight.

DrBlind in reply to vmcamposMay 1, 2008. 4:35 PM

I think you missed the point of a "Mob", if it wasn't to have fun it would be called a Crew or Group. Mob, works as the name for fun.

Orr-Wat in reply to DrBlindMay 4, 2008. 8:34 AM

Too right! I don't see what everyone's so up tight about this for... its a bit of fun! I f u want to clean graffiti or make the world a better place u join a charity or somethin... flash mobs are just for a bit of fun arsein' around!

smithy813 in reply to DrBlindMay 1, 2008. 5:29 PM

I agree

guarana in reply to vmcamposMay 1, 2008. 4:08 PM

"But not everyone can have fun in this world." Of course everyone in the world can have fun! In Thailand, on their New Years (which is in April), everyone in the country gets involved in a massive water fight that lasts a few days. Most of the people involved are pretty darn poor, and of course it's all "in the name of fun". Don't be such a stick in the mud, Flash mobs make the world a happier and more spontaneous place to live.

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canida in reply to vmcamposApr 28, 2008. 3:35 PM

Don't fun and happiness help make the world a better place?

commonground says: Sep 28, 2009. 6:22 PM

The sight of a flash mob having fun and doing the moves in unison, can express what we are all capable of. So in terms of helping to better the world as the above comments would argue for, such a sight can serve to inspire and drive the passions of people to better the world. Each have their own part to play. The flash mob's part; to have fun and spread the fun. ;) in a united kinda way.

wavetheusaflag says: Sep 23, 2009. 8:46 PM

Why a flash mob? Well.... I have over 100 inflatable boats and 50 floating star costumes that create a giant floating flag when connected. I would want to make a giant floating flash mob scene on a number of aquatic venues. See video and pictures of this giant flag that has flown, uh, floated several times without people. It would be a cool way to honor those that have served if we can get a flash mob on the hooch in Atlanta Nov. 11. See video at http;//wavetheusaflag.com

Cool-fool says: Dec 7, 2008. 10:50 PM

Yo mates, How can one get on a flash mob mailing list?

gck24 says: May 28, 2008. 12:23 PM

hey Mspark400 were the storm troopers wearing costumes and if they were wear did you get them? It would be funny if you marched guys in storm trooper suits down a side walk or had a huge battle in some park or square or something.

GorillazMiko says: Apr 28, 2008. 7:03 PM

I so want to try this at school.
Nice job.

Is that last picture in San Francisco? It looks like this place I drove by (in San Francisco) not too long ago..

mspark400 in reply to GorillazMikoMay 9, 2008. 11:31 AM

Well i can't say we have reached this level yet but last halloween at my school( High school so it was very intense) there was a massive, and i mean massive star wars battle in the lunch room. All of a sudden jedi stormed in from one side, and storm troopers, and sith came from the other. it was so intense that the kids they could catch got in some serious trouble. I would say totally worth it though, best lightsaber battle ever...maybe something from the senior class would be a nice going away present....

GorillazMiko in reply to GorillazMikoApr 28, 2008. 7:03 PM

Oh yeah. +1 rating.

Tengland456 says: May 5, 2008. 6:09 PM

Oh but Fireandshadow you do not understand we must all be touchy feely sociably responsible drones for the new society. Other wise its blasphemy to the new religion.

icedog515 says: May 2, 2008. 6:27 PM

lol i can see how costumes and alcohol go hand-in-hand

vmcampos says: Apr 28, 2008. 12:38 PM

The potential of a flash mob is so high; it could be a chance for a variety of people to get together to do something meaning- like feed the homeless, or pick up trash. But, no. It becomes a complete waste of time: pillow fight or atm applause mob? Please. Good Instructable, however. Nice detail and easy to read.

DeLorean4905 in reply to vmcamposApr 30, 2008. 1:23 AM

The potential exists solely because the mass of participants is expecting the flashmob to be lots of fun. Plus, it's a rare occurrence. You just dont normally get the same impetus for something like trash pick-up or loaves-and-fishes ... those things are always going on somewhere.

A flashmob gives the participants a chance to be involved in a huge public joke, and anyone who sees it gets a laugh and something to talk about for the rest of the day.
check out Improv Everywhere's "Best Game Ever"