Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise

October 8, 2013 11:28 AM

"What if telekinesis was real? How would you react? Our hidden camera experiment captures the reactions of unsuspecting customers at a New York City coffee shop as they witness a telekinetic event." (SLYT, viral marketing)
posted by OverlappingElvis (95 comments total)

The actress was a little hammy, I think, but those practical effects were pretty fucking cool.
posted by Think_Long at 11:31 AM on October 8, 2013

Very clever, very very expensive, terrible terrible terrible faux 'tube' editing.
posted by sammyo at 11:32 AM on October 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

I want to see the aftermath, when people realize its a prank.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:32 AM on October 8, 2013 [8 favorites]

I'm a little sad that it's a Carrie promo and they went with telekinesis rather than pyrokinesis.
posted by carsonb at 11:33 AM on October 8, 2013 [15 favorites]

Lucky no one had a gun and decided to kill the witch before realizing they were in a promotion for a movie.
posted by birdherder at 11:38 AM on October 8, 2013 [54 favorites]

I love the version of this where tired, over-it New Yorkers just get their coffee and walk out rolling their eyes as soon as soon as they hear somebody yelling at somebody else over spilled coffee.

But I also very much like this one.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:39 AM on October 8, 2013 [7 favorites]

I'm a little sad that it's a Carrie promo and they went with telekinesis rather than pyrokinesis.

Pyrokinesis isn't real.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:40 AM on October 8, 2013 [35 favorites]

She can move the tables around and shit but she can't wiggle a little coffee out her computer?
posted by carsonb at 11:46 AM on October 8, 2013 [22 favorites]

Lucky no one had a gun and decided to kill the witch before realizing they were in a promotion for a movie.

That was my first thought when I saw this: "I hope that the reactions are also staged, because otherwise someone really into concealed carry is gonna decide that this is his moment."
posted by George_Spiggott at 11:46 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

"THEY'RE ALL GOING TO RE-TWEET YOU!!"

"THEY'RE ALL GOING TO RE-TWEET YOU!!"
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:47 AM on October 8, 2013 [9 favorites]

I'm pretty sure this video will be the best thing about the Carrie remake.
posted by New England Cultist at 11:47 AM on October 8, 2013 [21 favorites]

I think it's safe to say there wasn't anyone in that scene who wasn't an actor. You don't usually see a construction worker in a shiny new hardhat walking into a coffee shop with a giant metal pipe in his hand.
posted by malphigian at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2013 [72 favorites]

Telekinesis doesn't work that way carsonb.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

So the question is: Are the "Actors" real as well? I'm going "No" and here's why. Where did this brand new coffee shop come from and why are people going there to buy coffee instead of the 100000 other coffeeshops already open? Especially the construction worker guy. That guy, like me, knows that the coffee's just as good at the cart, and it's $1.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

hahaha or what malphigian said except about his random piece of construction equipment.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2013

I've seen construction guys in Starbucks.
posted by intelligentless at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2013

Firestarter > Carrie.
posted by nathancaswell at 11:49 AM on October 8, 2013 [5 favorites]

Still a cool ad even showing us that it's fake and realizing that the reactions are probably fake, makes me want to see Carrie Reboot A+ work W+K or whoever slapped that together.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:50 AM on October 8, 2013

Telekinesis doesn't work that way carsonb.
posted by The Deej at 11:50 AM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I liked how the one lady had her cell phone out, grim-visaged and fearful, but still keeping the scene in focus. "If I survive, this is totally going on Facebook!"
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:50 AM on October 8, 2013 [5 favorites]

ASTRID GET WALTER NOW
posted by griphus at 11:51 AM on October 8, 2013 [18 favorites]

Lucky no one had a gun and decided to kill the witch before realizing they were in a promotion for a movie.

That's why they film stunts like this in New York or L.A. instead of, say, Florida.
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:51 AM on October 8, 2013 [6 favorites]

You don't usually see a construction worker in a shiny new hardhat walking into a coffee shop with a giant metal pipe in his hand.

Maybe he was an actor on break from an ESL educational video shoot?
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:51 AM on October 8, 2013 [22 favorites]

You don't usually see a construction worker in a shiny new hardhat walking into a coffee shop with a giant metal pipe in his hand.

Director: Hmmm . . . something's missing.

Costume designer: The hardhat's not enough?

Director: No. It needs to be more . . . viral.

Costume designer: Maybe a reflective vest?

Director *makes little movie screen with his fingers*: No, that's not it. Too subtle. Needs more virality.

Costume designer: How 'bout a big fucking pipe?

Director: YES
posted by Think_Long at 11:54 AM on October 8, 2013 [22 favorites]

"Time to fuck with some customers!"

*High five!*
posted by KokuRyu at 11:56 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

You don't usually see a construction worker in a shiny new hardhat walking into a coffee shop with a giant metal pipe in his hand.

Not unless he is followed by a policeman with his nightstick out and a cigar store indian in chaps and a dude in navy dress whites.
posted by elizardbits at 11:57 AM on October 8, 2013 [55 favorites]

Village People get coffee at the bodega yall they keep it real and they live in Queens.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:58 AM on October 8, 2013 [6 favorites]

DUCY
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:58 AM on October 8, 2013

The dog knew it was fake, didn't even flinch.
posted by HuronBob at 12:02 PM on October 8, 2013

Apparently the ad was the work of NYC viral ad maker Thinkmodo who have done something similar before. They claim in this interview with Yahoo that some of the customers (probably the ones not carrying pipes) were real.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:04 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Not unless he is followed by a policeman with his nightstick out and a cigar store indian in chaps and a dude in navy dress whites.

In which case it is probably Pride and there's considerably more interesting stuff going on than some run-of-the-mill telekinesis.
posted by griphus at 12:04 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

And the coffee shop is real too.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:05 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Yes, the coffee shop is real. And now I know to never go there again.
posted by Ghost Mode at 12:06 PM on October 8, 2013

Arent you a ghost why are you scared?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:08 PM on October 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

I will sheepishly admit that when I saw this yesterday, I did think it possible that maybe some of the customers weren't just actors and I just kept thinking, "I really hope they didn't do this if there were any kids around."
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:09 PM on October 8, 2013

I like the girl who starts taking pictures of it on her cell phone. Always one in the crowd.
posted by helmutdog at 12:09 PM on October 8, 2013

I ain't, I'm just not going to go to a coffee place that pulls this sort of crap, ever.
posted by Ghost Mode at 12:12 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I've been to the coffee shop and it's real.

As for "concealed carry", this batshitinsane idea is incredibly rare in New York City. So much what I hate about America that a first response is, "What someone murders kills the actor?"

I don't think most people were actually fooled, even in what we saw. The camera zoomed in on astonished people, but you could see people smiling in the background and filming on their cellphones...
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 12:14 PM on October 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

As for "concealed carry", this batshitinsane idea is incredibly rare in New York City.

thankfully yea.
posted by sweetkid at 12:16 PM on October 8, 2013 [4 favorites]

Costume designer: How 'bout a big fucking pipe?

Director: YES
posted by Think_Long at 11:54 AM on October 8

Eponykinesis!
posted by chavenet at 12:16 PM on October 8, 2013 [4 favorites]

I bet a lot of people were like, "Oh, Improv Everywhere is at it again!"
posted by themanwho at 12:16 PM on October 8, 2013 [8 favorites]

more like improv everyscare! eeheeheeheeheee!
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 12:17 PM on October 8, 2013 [8 favorites]

Needs more Skrillex.

(yeah, I didn't expect to say that when I woke up this morning, either.)
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 12:22 PM on October 8, 2013 [4 favorites]

I, LORD MORTULUS THANAXOS, SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO INSTALL MY TORMENT RAY AT THE TOP OF YOUR CHRYSLER-BUILDING. I INTEND THIS TO PROMOTE A MOVIE VIDEO FOR HUMANS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
posted by theodolite at 12:26 PM on October 8, 2013 [20 favorites]

OK here's my elevator pitch: it's the actual second coming and Jesus returns and he's all loaves and fishes and so forth but everybody is like oh cool it must be one of those reality shows or a youtube prank or something where's the cameras? and Jesus winds up having to do children's birthday parties to support himself

Starring Adam Sandler as Jesus and Cheech Marin as his sassy latino sidekick Jesús
posted by ook at 12:27 PM on October 8, 2013 [38 favorites]

Getting slammed up against the wall repeatedly must have sucked. I figure some of the real customers filming on their cell phones had been there for one already and were willing to keep quiet so they could hang an film.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:30 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

they keep it real and they live in Queens.

Dude, they're from the Village. It's right in their name.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:34 PM on October 8, 2013 [14 favorites]

I do wish there was film of someone who inevitably walked in during the first effect and just wheeled around and left going "Nope, nope nopenopenope" like I do when I get the empty subway car. Somewhere out there is a very fleet of foot new yorker who doesn't have the internet and will forever believe in psychics.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:34 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Dude, they're from the Village. It's right in their name.

You think they can still afford to live in the Village? Psh.
posted by incessant at 12:39 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

But which Village? Booyah case closed. You can speak to my attorney about any further matters (hot dude comes out with just the vest from 3piece suit on, starts gyrating and throwing papers out of a briefcase)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:41 PM on October 8, 2013 [5 favorites]

You think they can still afford to live in the Village? Psh.

They got their sweet lofts back in the 70s and there is rent control! They're living in 3,000 square feet for, like $350 per month.

Man, what I wouldn't give to be a Village Person. Except, you know, not the one who died. Or the other one who died. Or the one whose brother died on 9/11.

Sheesh. Lot of tragedy for such a fun-loving group.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:44 PM on October 8, 2013

She can move the tables around and shit but she can't wiggle a little coffee out her computer?

She can move stuff, but somehow she actually still needs a laptop and has to use it in a coffee shop?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:49 PM on October 8, 2013

"You don't usually see a construction worker in a shiny new hardhat walking into a coffee shop with a giant metal pipe in his hand."

Who says he was a construction worker? Maybe he was an adult entertainer, getting a cup 'o joe and taking a little breather, in between laying some pipe?
posted by markkraft at 12:49 PM on October 8, 2013 [4 favorites]

OK here's my elevator pitch

Here's my elevator pitch:

*raises hand, pitches elevator through wall*
posted by moonmilk at 12:52 PM on October 8, 2013 [19 favorites]

She can move stuff, but somehow she actually still needs a laptop and has to use it in a coffee shop?

Seriously, once you get beyond the crude and obvious stuff like picking locks without touching them and being the world's most effective burglar, there's really no limit to your potential. Anyone who has telekinesis and isn't a 1%er within the first year is doing it wrong.
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:52 PM on October 8, 2013 [4 favorites]

Man, what I wouldn't give to be a Village Person.

I think it would have pretty much sucked to be the straight ones though. "No, really, I'm straight. SERIOUSLY!"
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:53 PM on October 8, 2013

That's already my life.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:55 PM on October 8, 2013

MeTa
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:57 PM on October 8, 2013

I do wish there was film of someone who inevitably walked in during the first effect and just wheeled around and left going "Nope, nope nopenopenope" like I do when I get the empty subway car. Somewhere out there is a very fleet of foot new yorker who doesn't have the internet and will forever believe in psychics.

That'll be the lady at 1:47 :)
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:12 PM on October 8, 2013

I work in a coffee shop, and if telekinesis existed I can tell you with certainty that I would not be using it to lift a dude up a wall.

Instead, I would probably use it to pull espresso shots while I steamed milk. If my telekinesis got really good, latte art wouldn't be a bad use for it.

In addition to saving time, can you imagine the tips?

Soon, I'd open my own shop, called Mental. All the drinks would be triple the price, because I MADE THEM WITH MY BRAIN.

This is my ticket to the 1%.
posted by Sara C. at 1:17 PM on October 8, 2013 [12 favorites]

I love Julianne Moore, but I can't get into this Carrie remake. I hope they're not giving it a happy ending at least.
posted by Mister_A at 1:20 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

"I'll have what she's having."

...whaddaya mean, wrong movie?
posted by not_on_display at 1:22 PM on October 8, 2013 [16 favorites]

Where did this brand new coffee shop come from and why are people going there to buy coffee instead of the 100000 other coffeeshops already open?

They used S'nice in the West Village. It's already a real place.

It's funny, I've run into a few people here in LA who do "viral video" corporate marketing type stuff for a living, and I always wonder how much work there really is for that sort of thing, and how that can be your whole job. I clearly underestimated the budgets for these campaigns.
posted by Sara C. at 1:23 PM on October 8, 2013

Also it seems like a really cool job to me, at least when compared to sending out press releases.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:25 PM on October 8, 2013

Mister_A: "I love Julianne Moore, but I can't get into this Carrie remake. I hope they're not giving it a happy ending at least."

And . . . that wasn't a happy ending?
posted by arkham_inmate_0801 at 1:31 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I want to like this. But, really, practical jokes leave me cold. Ultimately, they are all based on deliberate cruelty. Imagine that the other patrons are not actors, but actual customers. Imagine their moment of terror. To sell a movie.

The Improve Everywhere folk are great because they bring unexpected joy to every occasion. This is just an elaborate Candid Camera stunt.
posted by SPrintF at 1:34 PM on October 8, 2013 [7 favorites]

Yea it was weird with the whole "Get Away From Me!" bit from the girl because it seemed like he was being pretty nice and apologetic about it.
posted by sweetkid at 1:40 PM on October 8, 2013

I, LORD MORTULUS THANAXOS, SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO INSTALL MY TORMENT RAY AT THE TOP OF YOUR CHRYSLER-BUILDING.

...and then the bouncer said, "80s night is tomorrow. This is GWAR!"
posted by MrBadExample at 1:48 PM on October 8, 2013 [9 favorites]

they forgot how cold it gets when you do it
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 1:51 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

The tone of the conflict instigation is all wrong. I mean, I know the whole thing is unrealistic, but the main tipoff that it's a setup is that the way the argument starts is just not how those things tend to go down, at all.

(I also think the table setup is weird/not how most coffeeshops are actually laid out, probably for this very reason.)

A funnier video would have been an argument between people in line at the coffeeshop. Like the girl is really undercaffeinated and late for work and the guy cuts in line, so she smashes him against the wall with her mind. That's where those kinds of "HULK MAD" interactions are more likely to occur. Sitting down at a table working quietly, you have to work way harder to ramp up the energy, and it's just not realistic that someone would go from 0 to batshit that quickly.
posted by Sara C. at 1:57 PM on October 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

That's where those kinds of "HULK MAD" interactions are more likely to occur.

Subway. 34th Street.
posted by sweetkid at 1:59 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

Typical Metafilter,
you guys are against Concealed Carry in coffee shops but are totally ok with Concealed Carrie in the exact same coffee shops
posted by mulligan at 2:05 PM on October 8, 2013 [62 favorites]

I'm going to go ahead and close this thread.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:14 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

with your miiiIIIIiiiiiiinddd
posted by Think_Long at 2:19 PM on October 8, 2013 [9 favorites]

She can move stuff, but somehow she actually still needs a laptop and has to use it in a coffee shop?

Mutant powers tend to first manifest during moments of extreme stress. Dude dumping coffee on her laptop was her moment.
posted by Jacqueline at 2:24 PM on October 8, 2013

Greg Nog: "Ultimately, they are all based on deliberate cruelty.

I wouldn't characterize it as cruelty. If I saw some girl's latent telekinetic powers blossom by assaulting a man who ruined her laptop, I would be like, "THAT GIRL IS FUCKING BALLER AND I WANT TO BE HER FRIEND""

If I saw that and I got fooled, I would probably go see the probably-abysmal-despite-having-Julianne-Moore Carrie remake just because, for a few seconds their stupid viral marketing scheme made me think telekinesis was happening right in front of me and I felt like I owed them.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:25 PM on October 8, 2013

As for "concealed carry", this batshitinsane idea is incredibly rare in New York City.

Except for every single off-duty cop.
posted by nicwolff at 2:39 PM on October 8, 2013

I'm sorry, Sara C., but I am compelled to say:

MetaFilter: from 0 to batshit that quickly.
posted by The Bellman at 2:50 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I totally would have missed that video, which was awesome!
posted by OmieWise at 2:50 PM on October 8, 2013

it's just not realistic that someone would go from 0 to batshit that quickly

i see we have never met
posted by elizardbits at 2:52 PM on October 8, 2013 [20 favorites]

Well, my first thought was, "Why isn't anyone like, walking outside and calling 911?"

I mean, okay, it would be hard to explain if you actually believed it was telekinesis. But, I think people would just as easily rationalize that she used a weapon to assault a stranger.
posted by FJT at 3:26 PM on October 8, 2013

Saw something similar just the other day. Went off-site in my lunch hour to do some early Festivus shopping and there was a woman having a massive psychic freakout right in the middle of the store. Will not be going back to TK Maxx any time soon.
posted by comealongpole at 4:35 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

*triple takes*

Carrie and Firestarter weren't the same book?
posted by carsonb at 4:42 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I liked how the one lady had her cell phone out, grim-visaged and fearful, but still keeping the scene in focus. "If I survive, this is totally going on Facebook!"

That wasn't an unrealistic part of it at all to me. I distinctly remember quite a bit of OH MAN LEMME GET THIS ON MY PHONE during this event for instance.

I mean, a lot of it was bad acting/weird way of the conflict playing out/etc which just made it feel... off even without it being a supercut of a bunch of "takes" of the same thing, but that part wasn't too weird.

A lot of people take photos(with the flash on too, ugh) of their latte art or little coffee+snack on the table the shops of the company i work at anyways. If somebody already had their phone out i bet one of the first reactions would be OH SHIT IMMA SHOW MY FRIENDS THIS.
posted by emptythought at 5:12 PM on October 8, 2013

That one customer was filming it with a Lumia 1020. I really want to see her youtube channel.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 5:18 PM on October 8, 2013

practical jokes leave me cold. Ultimately, they are all based on deliberate cruelty

yea, they bother me too, except for once in a while you see one that's more based in silliness, which I like better
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 5:20 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

The victim is a world-class traceur named Travis Graves. He used to teach at the DC Crossfit/parkour gym where I used to work out. Very focused, serious, extremely talented, and nice guy.
posted by radicalawyer at 5:45 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

That one customer was filming it with a Lumia 1020

You know, what if the Lumi 1020 was some product placement done inside a viral marketing ad?

"Yo dawg, I heard you like ads...."
posted by FJT at 6:40 PM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

Can I just say that it wasn't the acting that ruined that for me, but rather the editing? Holy excessive cuts, Batman! Who the fuck thought that was a good idea?
posted by Scientist at 8:24 PM on October 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

Man, based on that scream, that actor's voice is going to be shattered for a week.
posted by KathrynT at 11:11 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

lupus_yonderboy: "I've been to the coffee shop and it's real.

As for "concealed carry", this batshitinsane idea is incredibly rare in New York City. So much what I hate about America that a first response is, "What someone murders kills the actor?"

I don't think most people were actually fooled, even in what we saw. The camera zoomed in on astonished people, but you could see people smiling in the background and filming on their cellphones..."

Even if I WAS in New York, I couldn't AFFORD to go there.
posted by Samizdata at 11:18 PM on October 8, 2013

Sara C.: "I work in a coffee shop, and if telekinesis existed I can tell you with certainty that I would not be using it to lift a dude up a wall.

Instead, I would probably use it to pull espresso shots while I steamed milk. If my telekinesis got really good, latte art wouldn't be a bad use for it.

In addition to saving time, can you imagine the tips?

Soon, I'd open my own shop, called Mental. All the drinks would be triple the price, because I MADE THEM WITH MY BRAIN.

This is my ticket to the 1%."

Then I would show up and shop lift using teleportation. And let's make sure the employee changing room is proof against clairvoyance.

Then you finally get pissed off at my antics and we have a giant superheroic battle levelling square blocks and...
posted by Samizdata at 11:21 PM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Sheesh. Lot of tragedy for such a fun-loving group.

But you Can't Stop The Music, apparently.
posted by mikelieman at 4:04 AM on October 9, 2013

It's weird that Carrie has been remade so many times. The first movie, then Carrie 2: The Rage (a sequel in name only - in practice, it's mostly just a remake), then there was the TV movie with Angela Bettis, and now this.

That's like, what, once every seven years or so? Except three of those remakes have been since 1999?

I mean, I get that it's a good and iconic story, but it's hard to think of another novel/movie that's been redone so many times, especially in quick succession.
posted by Sticherbeast at 6:01 AM on October 9, 2013

"If I survive, this is totally going on Facebook!"

I think this is pretty much the motto of the 21st century already.
posted by aught at 8:51 AM on October 9, 2013 [5 favorites]