I scared people in Walmart and got popular. No Excuses
October 31, 2014 7:36 AM Subscribe
You're Nick Santonastasso, you got an ...interesting... sense of humour so you team up with uber prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy to scare the shit out of people, making full use of the fact that thanks to Hanhart syndrome you only have one arm and no legs by playing a dismembered viction of a chainsaw wielding maniac.
Bonus: Behind the scenes.
Extra bonus: that time you scared the shit out of Walking Dead star Norman Reedus.
Title post is the description from Nick's Twitter feed.
Bonus: Behind the scenes.
Extra bonus: that time you scared the shit out of Walking Dead star Norman Reedus.
Title post is the description from Nick's Twitter feed.
Wow. That was actually terrifying.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:44 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:44 AM on October 31, 2014
I knew this was a prank when I watched it, and it *still* scared me.
Lucky the saw actor didn't get shot by some CCW vigilante, btw. This is America.
posted by Walleye at 7:45 AM on October 31, 2014 [14 favorites]
Lucky the saw actor didn't get shot by some CCW vigilante, btw. This is America.
posted by Walleye at 7:45 AM on October 31, 2014 [14 favorites]
The guy who's scaring folks with the missing limbs I'm totally ok with. Scaring people by basically brandishing a weapon isn't so inventive. I'm not saying I hope it would happen but if someone were to pull out a pistol and shoot the chainsaw guy dead, I'd say, "well,..yeah."
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:46 AM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:46 AM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
Yeah that's a pretty intense level of scaring the shit out of people!
posted by entropone at 7:46 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by entropone at 7:46 AM on October 31, 2014
Don't do this if you're black.
posted by mondo dentro at 7:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [43 favorites]
posted by mondo dentro at 7:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [43 favorites]
It occurs to me that if somebody had pranked me like this last December or January, between the weird blood pressure spike and the cath lab where I found out my widowmaker artery was almost completely blocked and got the stent, there is a very good chance it would have killed me. Not in the funny ha-ha way but in the Six Feet Under teaser way.
posted by localroger at 7:54 AM on October 31, 2014 [12 favorites]
posted by localroger at 7:54 AM on October 31, 2014 [12 favorites]
...And that's why you always leave a note!
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:57 AM on October 31, 2014 [15 favorites]
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:57 AM on October 31, 2014 [15 favorites]
I can't watch this with sound while I'm at work. Does the Behind the Scenes vid explain what happened when all of these people called the cops and 911 in a mindless panic?
posted by pineappleheart at 7:59 AM on October 31, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by pineappleheart at 7:59 AM on October 31, 2014 [4 favorites]
Don't do this if you're black.
Or live in a concealed carry state.
posted by The Bellman at 8:01 AM on October 31, 2014 [7 favorites]
Or live in a concealed carry state.
posted by The Bellman at 8:01 AM on October 31, 2014 [7 favorites]
Yeah, this is disturbing and funny and it could have gone very badly wrong in a number of different ways.
But then, if you're going to be an "UBER PRANKSTER" like the chainsaw guy, you have to kinda live with the fact that somebody might eventually kick your ass or worse, and you have to be comfortable with the fact that you might really hurt somebody with your pranks. The impression I get from looking at the guy's other videos is that he's OK with both of those things.
As far as Nick goes, if you're living with one arm and no legs in a four-limber's world, you've got a pass fucking with the rest of us if you feel like it. Life's tough, you've got to have some fun.
10/10 for Nick, 3/10 for Vitaly.
posted by edheil at 8:04 AM on October 31, 2014 [9 favorites]
But then, if you're going to be an "UBER PRANKSTER" like the chainsaw guy, you have to kinda live with the fact that somebody might eventually kick your ass or worse, and you have to be comfortable with the fact that you might really hurt somebody with your pranks. The impression I get from looking at the guy's other videos is that he's OK with both of those things.
As far as Nick goes, if you're living with one arm and no legs in a four-limber's world, you've got a pass fucking with the rest of us if you feel like it. Life's tough, you've got to have some fun.
10/10 for Nick, 3/10 for Vitaly.
posted by edheil at 8:04 AM on October 31, 2014 [9 favorites]
Well it is assault - brandishing a weapon and causing someone to reasonably fear for their bodily integrity is assault, textbook case, it is a criminal offence in any jurisdiction. I guess they got releases off these people afterwards(Or before?) though?
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 8:15 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 8:15 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wow. Same take as Walleye-- I knew this was staged and it still set off a pretty decent adrenaline rush. Nick's gore rig is great, and Vitaly is really lucky none of these people had a fight rather than flight/freeze reflex and he didn't get shot, or run down by one of the people in cars. It looks like a pretty bourgie parking complex so I guess less chance of concealed-carrying veterans or gang members or whatnot? Wow wow wow.
posted by moonlight on vermont at 8:24 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by moonlight on vermont at 8:24 AM on October 31, 2014
Also, don't do something like this if you're Bill Murray in a post-apocalyptic Zombie wasteland
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:25 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:25 AM on October 31, 2014
I suspect the victims of these pranks are in on it as well. It's just too perfectly-timed, all of it, and the ways in which these people are walking or getting into place are just too...rehearsed.
Cool gory effects, though. Would work terrifically in a haunted house.
posted by xingcat at 8:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Cool gory effects, though. Would work terrifically in a haunted house.
posted by xingcat at 8:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Nick is hilarious. I have been following him on social media for a while, mainly Vine. Seriously funny and inspiration guy, and I LOVED this prank. He has been doing things like this for a while but NOT on this scale. I would have probably had a heart attack on the spot.
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 8:48 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 8:48 AM on October 31, 2014
Yeah, no. Sorry. If real (and not totally staged, victims and all) this is irresponsible bullshit. Do this in a context where it makes sense...like a haunted house event. It would be amazing there. But, to pull this bullshit in public? No.
I suspect the victims of these pranks are in on it as well.
One can hope.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:04 AM on October 31, 2014 [3 favorites]
I suspect the victims of these pranks are in on it as well.
One can hope.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:04 AM on October 31, 2014 [3 favorites]
Looking at this a bit more, I was far to generous before. If you are producing BDSM videos, the standard is to have before and after videos with the performers to establish consent. That is not perfect but it is a good start. If you are producing youtube shock videos - there isn't that standard, which leads to kids trying to irresponsibly reproduce videos made by professionals and committing criminal acts in the process. Without prior consent, everything in this video is a criminal offence, the fact that this is ambiguous is completely unacceptable.
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 9:22 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 9:22 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yeah so I've been chronically sleep deprived (3 to 4 hours a night) for a few weeks now. It's not killing me, but it's been going on long enough that I've progressed beyond unpredictable, tearful emotional fragility and have started getting some weird sensory phenomena -- lights have a bloom or halo around them, I'm hyper-aware of breeze or wind on my skin, etc. So maybe it's just my madness talking. I'm not trying to come off like an Internet Tough Guy.
But I feel like if I were approached in any of the scenarios that involve the "killer" in the shit mask and afro wig stiff-leggedly speed-walking towards me, I'd either stand there with furrowed brow asking aloud what fresh Improv Everywhere hell is this, or just run straight at the guy and spear him like Ronnie Lott. The effects are good but that guy 100% looks like the hell house actor that he is. I wonder how many people reacted incredulously rather than fleeing.
posted by penduluum at 9:29 AM on October 31, 2014
But I feel like if I were approached in any of the scenarios that involve the "killer" in the shit mask and afro wig stiff-leggedly speed-walking towards me, I'd either stand there with furrowed brow asking aloud what fresh Improv Everywhere hell is this, or just run straight at the guy and spear him like Ronnie Lott. The effects are good but that guy 100% looks like the hell house actor that he is. I wonder how many people reacted incredulously rather than fleeing.
posted by penduluum at 9:29 AM on October 31, 2014
It has to be pre-planned. Every single one of these victims has been unambiguously assaulted - an act that puts someone in reasonable fear of imminent harm. An attempt to scare/frighten can be an assault.
posted by naju at 9:32 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by naju at 9:32 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
Although I disapprove of this kind of thing—pranks in general and "Xtreme" pranks in particular—I fully approve of Chainsaw Guy's brisk late-for-a-meeting fast walk.
"Damn it, already late for my three o'clock and I'm still not done homiciding."
posted by Flexagon at 9:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
"Damn it, already late for my three o'clock and I'm still not done homiciding."
posted by Flexagon at 9:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
Maybe they signed some form of release that said "Some time in the next X days you will be pranked, so you can't punch/shoot/sue us." That would let it be at least a little spontaneous still.
posted by gottabefunky at 9:59 AM on October 31, 2014
posted by gottabefunky at 9:59 AM on October 31, 2014
While it could be part of the online version of the gag, the behind the scenes video makes it seem really unlikely that the prank victims were in on it. They have a house full of people kind of winging it as they prepare the makeup effects, and they would need a whole other staging area and more offscreen time to prep the actors playing the victims.
On preview, re gottabefunky's theory: If the victims signed releases too far in advance, they wouldn't be able to count on them being in the right place for the show. There is also a YouTube comment to the effect that being in California somewhat reduces the risk of encountering a would-be CCW hero.
posted by localroger at 10:02 AM on October 31, 2014
On preview, re gottabefunky's theory: If the victims signed releases too far in advance, they wouldn't be able to count on them being in the right place for the show. There is also a YouTube comment to the effect that being in California somewhat reduces the risk of encountering a would-be CCW hero.
posted by localroger at 10:02 AM on October 31, 2014
What did you get for Halloween? I got a Baby Ruth, some Tootsie Pops, a box of Milk Duds, and PTSD.
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:16 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:16 AM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
encountering a would-be CCW hero.
pretty sure shooting some guy looking like a maniac, covered in gore, approaching you with a running chainsaw is not being a hero, but rather would be concluded by a jury of your peers as a rational, prudent action. This would not be vigilantism but rather legitimate self defense by any reasonable person.
He is very, very lucky he is not dead himself if the victims of the prank were not in on it from the beginning, or one of those victims did not hurt themselves fleeing the prank and sue him into oblivion (or just on general pain and suffering from him being an asshole).
posted by bartonlong at 11:00 AM on October 31, 2014
pretty sure shooting some guy looking like a maniac, covered in gore, approaching you with a running chainsaw is not being a hero, but rather would be concluded by a jury of your peers as a rational, prudent action. This would not be vigilantism but rather legitimate self defense by any reasonable person.
He is very, very lucky he is not dead himself if the victims of the prank were not in on it from the beginning, or one of those victims did not hurt themselves fleeing the prank and sue him into oblivion (or just on general pain and suffering from him being an asshole).
posted by bartonlong at 11:00 AM on October 31, 2014
The fact that someone pulling a prank has a very realistic chance of getting shot dead is much more a damning statement on american social acceptance of guns than any negative cast on the guy trying to scare people and make them laugh.
posted by Brockles at 11:11 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Brockles at 11:11 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Fuck "pranks". How is making someone fear for their life in any way acceptable, let alone funny?
"Hey, while you thought you were about to die a horrifying, agonizing, senseless death, we were all yukking it up backstage. We cool? Of course we're cool, it was just a joke."
posted by lydhre at 11:13 AM on October 31, 2014 [9 favorites]
"Hey, while you thought you were about to die a horrifying, agonizing, senseless death, we were all yukking it up backstage. We cool? Of course we're cool, it was just a joke."
posted by lydhre at 11:13 AM on October 31, 2014 [9 favorites]
Yeah, the youtube prank culture is getting increasingly out of control. Every time I've seen these things posted to Metafilter, they've been some form of assault or harrassment that is "totally cool because it's hilarious, you guys!"
posted by naju at 11:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by naju at 11:47 AM on October 31, 2014 [4 favorites]
The fact that someone pulling a prank has a very realistic chance of getting shot dead is much more a damning statement on american social acceptance of guns than any negative cast on the guy trying to scare people and make them laugh.
I dunno, the idea of shooting an asshole prankster is, like, the only thing that's ever made me want to own a gun.
trying to scare people and make them laugh.
No, c'mon, he's not trying to make these people laugh. He's trying to make other people laugh at them. Big difference.
posted by pineappleheart at 12:01 PM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
I dunno, the idea of shooting an asshole prankster is, like, the only thing that's ever made me want to own a gun.
trying to scare people and make them laugh.
No, c'mon, he's not trying to make these people laugh. He's trying to make other people laugh at them. Big difference.
posted by pineappleheart at 12:01 PM on October 31, 2014 [6 favorites]
Oh, god, I HATE this Vitaly guy. He is gross.
posted by pineappleheart at 12:07 PM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by pineappleheart at 12:07 PM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
My concern is that these prank videos will have to keep upping the anti in order to get more views. But where does it stop? There is a blurred line between funny pranks and pranks that could be interpreted as assault, abuse, etc. I'm also uncomfortable that a lot of these are really about triggering deep fear to cause humiliation.
posted by greenhornet at 12:34 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by greenhornet at 12:34 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yeah, this isn't ok. People could get really hurt. War vets, people with heart or anxiety issues, people who are just a bit fragile for one reason or another, etc. At the risk of sounding like an old lady, this is just unacceptable and irresponsible behavior. If this is all a setup and the victims are all in on it, fine. Otherwise, these "hilarious" pranksters should really sit down and think about how their actions might affect other people before they pull another one.
posted by sockermom at 1:55 PM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by sockermom at 1:55 PM on October 31, 2014 [1 favorite]
pineappleheart: “Oh, god, I HATE this Vitaly guy. He is gross.”
Yeah, this is a person who had a "prank" last year where he'd go up to random women, ask them a few questions for a "survey," and then kiss them full on the mouth.
In 2012, when he did a prank pretending to threaten somebody with a bomb, a guy almost beat him up, but had the presence of mind to call the cops instead, and Vitaly and his cameraman spent the day in jail, where they belonged.
He might be faking, sure. He probably is faking most of it. But it seems real enough to be awful, and even fake awful is pretty awful.
posted by koeselitz at 4:13 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yeah, this is a person who had a "prank" last year where he'd go up to random women, ask them a few questions for a "survey," and then kiss them full on the mouth.
In 2012, when he did a prank pretending to threaten somebody with a bomb, a guy almost beat him up, but had the presence of mind to call the cops instead, and Vitaly and his cameraman spent the day in jail, where they belonged.
He might be faking, sure. He probably is faking most of it. But it seems real enough to be awful, and even fake awful is pretty awful.
posted by koeselitz at 4:13 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
bartonlong: “He is very, very lucky he is not dead himself if the victims of the prank were not in on it from the beginning, or one of those victims did not hurt themselves fleeing the prank and sue him into oblivion (or just on general pain and suffering from him being an asshole).”
Well, like I said above, this victim had the presence of mind to chase him down, grab Vitaly's phone from him and use it to call the cops.
Would that everybody were that sharp and quick-thinking. I'm not sure I would be. But I do know that if he landed in jail every time he tried to shoot one of these things, he'd probably quit this nonsense real quick.
posted by koeselitz at 4:18 PM on October 31, 2014
Well, like I said above, this victim had the presence of mind to chase him down, grab Vitaly's phone from him and use it to call the cops.
Would that everybody were that sharp and quick-thinking. I'm not sure I would be. But I do know that if he landed in jail every time he tried to shoot one of these things, he'd probably quit this nonsense real quick.
posted by koeselitz at 4:18 PM on October 31, 2014
What I'd like to see is someone prank the gore guy with a gun loaded with blanks. What's good for the goose right?
posted by Ansible at 5:48 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Ansible at 5:48 PM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]
The chainsaw wasn't loaded with blanks.
posted by localroger at 8:00 PM on October 31, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by localroger at 8:00 PM on October 31, 2014 [3 favorites]
God, I've always wondered about this sort of thing. I know Nick sought out these guys, but do people ever seek out amputees for videos, haunted houses etc. for special effects purposes like this (mroeor less as living props, rather than proper film/TV roles) via agencies, ads or just approaching them on the street, and is that ever okay, or is it exploitation if the amputees don't seek it out themselves?
posted by BiggerJ at 10:33 PM on October 31, 2014
posted by BiggerJ at 10:33 PM on October 31, 2014
This is a concealed-carry permit holder's wet dream. It's the reason they carry, because deep down they think this is one of the scenarios that might happen to them.
Most of the people I know who roll strapped would pull, but demand an explanation before shooting, however. If the guy was a little too in-the-moment and didn't drop the act right away, yes I think there's a chance of lead poisoning.
I can imagine the next round ofcopycat homage "ironic" street performances, where this guy's plans are leaked and someone shows up with a Glock loaded with blanks.
Hilarity ensures...until it doesn't.
posted by lon_star at 11:31 AM on November 2, 2014
Most of the people I know who roll strapped would pull, but demand an explanation before shooting, however. If the guy was a little too in-the-moment and didn't drop the act right away, yes I think there's a chance of lead poisoning.
I can imagine the next round of
Hilarity ensures...until it doesn't.
posted by lon_star at 11:31 AM on November 2, 2014
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posted by Brockles at 7:42 AM on October 31, 2014 [2 favorites]