MadV
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MadV (birthdate unknown) is a YouTube video director and magician, active since April 11, 2006. His video persona wears a replica Guy Fawkes mask, popularised by Alan Moore's graphic novel V for Vendetta, which is, in turn, the source of his character name "V". His style is that of a silent illusionist, displaying various tricks or miracles without saying a word. It was alleged that he "quit" YouTube to pursue a career in television. He is perhaps better known for the viral advertising campaign known as One World (posted November 16, 2006), which has been cited by the Associated Press as one of the most successful of such campaigns on YouTube.[1]
Other credits include three "features" on the YouTube front page, and a nomination for Most Creative Video in the YouTube Video Awards 2006[2].
He has appeared on The FIZZ [3] MTV's Overdrive [4], Pepsi's 'The 9 on Yahoo!' [5]. and ABC's I-Caught [6].
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[edit] Illusions
All of the eleven video illusions were posted within a one month time-frame, at the end of which MadV posted a goodbye to his fans. Audio track information is accurate [7] according to his playlist.
1. Mad Guitar Solo (posted April 11, 2006, 45 seconds), was the first video posted on his profile, and shows him miming to Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" on an acoustic guitar.
2. Mad Air Guitar Solo (posted April 12, 2006, 23 seconds). MadV pretends to strum along to and drum the beat of a remixed version of Justin Timberlake's track "Like I Love You".
3. Anti-Gravity (posted April 13, 2006, 24 seconds), formerly known as "Teh Maddest Skillz Ever!!" was the break-through video for MadV. In it he appears to make a playing card float outwards and then return, before controlling its trajectory. Of note, MadV finalised his signature style and clothing in this video. The video was featured on the YouTube front page, and has attracted over 2 million views, and hundreds of copycat imitations [8]. The audio used is taken from the soundtrack to the film Requiem for a Dream, composed by Clint Mansell.
4. The Third Best Card Trick Ever (posted April 13, 2006, 32 seconds), formerly known as 'Teh Maddest Skillz Yet!!'. In it, MadV makes several different playing cards appear from thin air, discarding each one in turn. Finally he pulls out a pair of sunglasses. The audio used is "Don't Touch Dwayne Berry" by Naked Funk.
5. Black Floater (posted April 14, 2006, 27 seconds). MadV makes a small black ball hover. Audio used is "Release the Pressure" by Leftfield.
6. Where's Your Head At? (posted April 17, 2006, 20 seconds). MadV removes his mask, and behind it he seemingly has no head; his hood filled merely by empty black space. Audio used is "Hey Man, Nice Shot" (Nickel Bag Mix) by Filter.
7. The Brain (posted April 18, 2006, 28 seconds). MadV manipulates the pages of a book. Audio used is taken from the TV cartoon show Pinky and the Brain.
8. Don't Try This At Home (posted April 20, 2006, 30 seconds). MadV apparently cuts off his thumb at the middle joint with a pair of scissors (his thumb can be seen intact in later videos). Audio used is "PiR2" by Clint Mansell.
9. String Theory (posted April 28, 2006, 30 seconds). MadV floats a playing card in front of his body, while passing both arms above and below the card. Audio used is "(Can't You) Trip Like I Do" by The Crystal Method and Filter.
10. Unplugged (posted May 05, 2006, 24 seconds). MadV appears to make an iPod disappear from his cupped hands. Audio used is "Flat Beat" by Mr Oizo.
11. The Fix (posted May 08, 2006, 19 seconds). MadV appears to straighten out a bent spoon using his mind. Audio used is "Staralfur" by Sigur Ros.
[edit] "Goodbye"
Goodbye (posted May 09, 2006, 2 minutes 17 seconds). Audio used is "Acid Food" by Mogwai.
Approximately one month after joining YouTube, MadV posted this video claiming that he had been hired by a television production company.:
"It's been a great few weeks for me. What started off as a joke turned into a connection with so many people. After 4 weeks of going viral across the internet I've just signed a contract with a TV production company, and as a result, there can be no more MadV on YouTube. I just wanted to say 'goodbye' in a meaningful way... I can't thank the fans enough - all the comments, the tributes, the dedication - you guys really are awesome. I've learned a lot, and I hope some of you have too. It's been fun along the way. If I could leave just one idea - it would be this: We are all part of this world, so let's respect one another. If you gotta be sayin something, say it nice. Don't let the haters stand in your way. I didn't. True! I'm off to new and brighter things. Chin up, MadV."
This text has since been removed from the video description.
At the beginning of the video a voice is heard. This is an audio clip from the film Waking Life.
[edit] "One World"
In November 16, 2006, 6 months after "leaving" YouTube, MadV posted the video entitled One World (40 seconds). Audio used is Með blóðnasir by Sigur Rós. This video showed the character holding his hand up to the camera, on which he had the simple message of "One World".
MTV noticed the influence of this silent video, and MadV appeared in an MTV Online news report about the 2008 Presidential candidates[9]. Audio used is Kids Will Be Skeletons by Mogwai. The video is an emotional sequence of messages collected from YouTube users with the common theme of love and understanding for the whole human race. [10]
[edit] "Remember"
It was rumored that MadV would return to YouTube on November 5, 2007. However, on October 5, 2007 MadV posted a new video entitled Remember [11], which featured the following words:
"On the 5th November
let us remember
what inspires us
what brings us hope.
Let's remind the world
to pay respect
for everything important
and everything we forget."
Alongside the video was a written explanation/invitation for people to post a video about something they would want the world to remember. The message states that the response videos should not be posted until November 5.
[edit] Inspire
On November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day) MadV replied to "Remember" with a video called Inspire which consists of him creating the word "Inspire" on the ground with fire. The Music in this video is "Music For a Nurse" by Oceansize.
[edit] The "Humans" Project
The "Humans" Project (posted March 2, 2008)
On March 2, 2008, MadV uploaded a video asking viewers to say one sentence on what it means to be human.
The video consists of the following words on a black screen:
"What does it mean to be human?
A new community project
for everyone
In one sentence
of your own words
Tell the world
about human nature
and what humans are
Join in
The "Humans" Project
We're all waiting..."
[edit] Missing Videos
There are three videos which only briefly appeared on MadV's YouTube profile.
1. "To tha haters" (posted April 12, 2006) featured the character playing air guitar, while speaking for the first and only time against "haters" on YouTube.[citation needed]
The video has since been removed by MadV, but has been re-uploaded to YouTube by user Zerhynn [12].
2. "Let there be loVe" (posted February 13, 2007) featured the character playing a version of "Let There Be Love" popularised by Nat King Cole on the piano. The accompanying video description read: "Filmed at 3.30am, while she slept upstairs. Happy Valentine's Day X". The video was also removed by the user. [13]
3. "Fusion" (posted June 8, 2006) was an eight second video which showed the words "the FUture of illuSION", changing to just "FUSION" in purple letters. The video then shows MadV doing some cuts with a deck of cards. The video was posted for 24 hours and accumulated 27 views.
[edit] Collaborations
MadV has appeared in two musical video collaborations on YouTube:
1. Imagine [14] - Set to John Lennon's Imagine, compilation made by BowieChick posted June 12, 2006. MadV mimes to the intro drums.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody [15] - Set to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, compilation made by MattyMJ2007 posted December 12, 2006. MadV plays the lead guitar.
[edit] Hacking
On February 2, 2008, all MadV's videos were deleted and replaced with one with a black background and white text which merely stated "OMFG! MadV Haxxord!". His videos have since been restored without any of accumulated response videos.
[edit] References
- ^ Coyle, Jake. "Campaign for Iraq Pullout Hits YouTube", Associated Press, January 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-12. "One of the most successful YouTube campaigns was held in November by user MadV. Called "One World," it invited people to "make a statement" and "be part of something" by writing something, anything on one's hand and post a video of it. More than 2,200 people posted video responses."
- ^ "Most Creative" videos - YouTube Awards 2006, launched March 19, 2006
- ^ The FIZZ Review, The FIZZ, Episode 4, aired on DirectTV 28 February 2007
- ^ Let the Conversation Begin, MTV webcam dispatch, February 16, 2007
- ^ 'The 9 on Yahoo!', sponsored by Pepsi, March 21, 2007
- ^ 'I-Caught' on ABC, August 21st, 2007
- ^ MadV's playlist on YouTube, retrieved April 24, 2007
- ^ Anti-gravity videos on YouTube, retrieved April 24, 2007
- ^ The Conversation Continues, MTV webcam dispatch, posted on YouTube February 15, 2007
- ^ 'YouTube's "The Message" Video Sends Message of Hope to "One World"', Associated Content, published April 18, 2007
- ^ "Remember", Youtube, posted October 4, 2007
- ^ "Lost Video – To the haters", YouTube, original posting April 26, 2006], recovered by Zerhynn, June 7, 2006
- ^ 'Placeholder – Let there be loVe', YouTube, original posting February 13, 2006
- ^ "Imagine", YouTube, posted June 12, 2006
- ^ "Bohemian Rhapsody", YouTube, posted December 12, 2006
