Shared Creation

A powerful zombie ready for action

November 7th is Zombie Reaction Day. The idea behind it is very simple. Using social media and commonly available video cameras (such as those on mobile phones or webcams) to create a collection of videos about how you would react if you were part of a sudden attack by a zombie that came with no warning.

This Video explains the Challenge

The best way to enter the Zombie Reaction Day you should post your videos as video responses to the challenge video on You Tube.

However if you do not have a YouTube account you can also post your videos on Facebook at the Shared Creation Fan page.

If you would like more information about the story and the ideas behind Zombie Reaction Day you should take a look at these articles on Shared Creation. These will give you the whole story.

• /blog/2009/09/23/the-social-media-zombie-reaction-day.html


• /projects/2009/10/18/film/when-to-film-for-the-social-media-zombie-reaction-day.html


• /projects/2009/10/11/film/the-social-media-zombie-reaction-day-grows-closer.html

Over the course of this week we have been collecting images and video to help get you in the mood. The easiest way to take a look at these is to visit SharedCreation@Tumblr

Over the course of Zombie Reaction Day I’ll be posting zombie story hints and updates as to the days progress on Twitter. If you would like to follow these search on Twitter for #zrd.

If you are thinking about making a Zombie Reaction Day video here my top 10 tips for your video

1. Choose who you want to play, the best roles are terrified survivor or witness who has just seen a friend feasted on.


2. Keep the video short – maybe a minute, certainly no more than 2 minutes long. The video should be short and sharp.


3. Remember this is fiction becoming real. So far you have only seen zombies on film and TV. No you have faced one – how do you feel?


4. Bad video quality is good. Most street video is shaky and bad. This is not a challenge about how well you can use a camera.


5. Keep the video focussed on your face – this is all about you and that is what people want to see.


6. You do not have to film a zombie. The video is about you – this way you do not have to worry about zombie makeup.


7. If you want to use lots of make-up, fake blood and a zombie that is also fine. We do not want to cramp your creativity.


8. If you enter a video it’s a good idea to post about  it on Twitter / your Facebook page. People will be interested.


9. Practice before filming – it will make it easier.


10. Do not spend a lot of time rehearsing. We want raw emotion more than we want polished performances.

You may also be wondering what happens to your videos once they are entered?  Well this is what we do

1. We create a video gallery of the videos entered. This helps your video get the most possible views and also creates an interesting piece of video entertainment for all to see. You get to compare your video with other entries.


2. I’ll be entering the Mass Twitter Horror event on Friday November 13th. The story started on Zombie Reaction Day will be expanded on at the Twitter Horror event. You are invited to join in on Friday the 13th. To find out more contact http://twitter.com/mtfhorror/ This makes Zombie Reaction Day part of a collaborative event between people who use video and people who write collaborative fiction on Twitter.

Good luck to everyone who enters – I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.