Rain, chilly weather hamper turnout as students film contribution to YouTube trend
On Friday at 2:30 p.m., the Horseshoe was empty, save for a few students setting up a camera atop the Maxcy Monument. On the outskirts of the grass, others waited in anticipation of what was to come.
It was time for USC to make a “Harlem Shake” video.
Planners Danny Campbell and Rohan Patel were expecting more than 800 people to join them on the Horseshoe for what they hoped would be an impressive answer to Clemson’s “Harlem Shake” call.
But their efforts were thwarted by chilly temperatures, a steady drizzle and a baseball game.
“I don’t mind the rain, but I do feel kind of bad for making this during a baseball game,” said Campbell, a first-year international business student. “We’re just playing it by ear.”
Austin Ring, a first-year computer engineering student, had his camera set up on top of the Maxcy Monument and directed students to stand as close as possible to the brick pathway, in order to get a full shot.
By 2:40 p.m., more students began to arrive, sporting neon wigs, eccentric props and, in one case, a Canadian flag.
The event was planned through a group on Facebook, which included almost 2,000 people.
A few minutes later, speakers hooked up to USC President Harris Pastides’ house began to blare dubstep tunes, and students continued to migrate toward the center of the Horseshoe.
The cold winds blew rain into the faces of those who toughed out the elements, which made umbrellas and raincoats a popular feature among the crowd.
Originally, Cocky was to start off the video, which begins with one dancer and ends with a mass dance party.
Because of the weather conditions, the mascot could not attend the event for fear that the costume would be damaged.
Next in line? The USC-famous Boombox Guy would take Cocky’s place at the start of the action, but he didn’t show up until 30 minutes after the filming.
In the end, a student wearing a white mask and holding an umbrella started off the shoot by pelvic thrusting until the beat dropped.
After the filming, many seemed disappointed with the turnout, including those in charge.
“Rain definitely had an impact on the turnout,” said Patel, a first-year business student. “It wasn’t as epic as we thought it would be.”
Though the first try proved to be less than satisfactory, Campbell and Patel said they were looking forward to making a second attempt, which will also be planned through a Facebook page.
“If these people can come in the rain, why can’t they come when it’s actually nice out?” Campbell said. “We’re using this as motivation to make a better one soon.”