Published: Friday February 22, 2013 MYT 11:52:00 AM

Move over, Gangnam Style; Harlem shake is here

by TASHNY SUKUMARAN

PETALING JAYA: All sorts of kooky, crazy Harlem Shake videos have been hitting the Internet from all over the world - and now Malaysia's claiming a piece of the action!

The concept of the Harlem Shake has gone viral - it begins with one person dancing alone in a group, followed by a jump cut to the entire crowd dancing in various styles with different costumes and props to the song Harlem Shake' by American DJ Baauer.

Even Rhythm & Hues KL, the visual effects studio that worked on Oscar-nominated films Life Of Pi and Snow White and The Huntsman, got in on the Shake.

Azim Hulaimi, who worked on Life Of Pi's tiger Richard Parker, said the video was a spur of the moment idea that livened up a busy work day.

“Some of us were at the office working really hard, and a couple people were watching Harlem Shake videos. So we just thought, hey! Let's make one ourselves!”

The Rhythm & Hues gang then shot one using props lying around the office.

“It took three takes for the first scene, because we all kept bursting into laughter,” said Azim.

Azim, 31, said shooting the video had been a great bonding experience for the team.

“We might be making another one to include those who weren't around that day,” he said.

While Rhythm & Hues did it spontaneously and with whatever was at hand, some Harlem Shake Malaysian fans go all out to impress in their versions.

Joseph Germani and his friends contacted sponsors for costumes and a venue, and shot their Epic All-Star' Harlem Shake starring superheroes like The Hulk, Captain America and Spider-Man.

“The theme of Epic All Stars' was decided because we thought that it would be cool to have all these star power characters in the video.

“We chose the characters because we knew that it would be a unique scene, to see all these recognisable super heroes and personalities.”

Germani's video takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at the mega-hit Gangnam Style, opening with someone doing Psy's famous horse-riding dance.

He is pushed aside by another cast member, who promptly begins the Harlem Shake.

Germani, 22, and his friends also tried to incorporate quintessentially Malaysian concepts into the video like shooting it at a popular mamak restaurant, featuring the national flag, and the ubiquitous high school uniform pinafore.

“When we did the video, our aim was to have fun, which is why it's made up of friends and family.”

News

Published: Friday February 22, 2013 MYT 11:52:00 AM

Move over, Gangnam Style; Harlem shake is here

by TASHNY SUKUMARAN