LDS-linked creators have had at least two YouTube videos go viral over the past several weeks. Of course, there was the BYU Library "New Spice" ad and now there is "Jane Austen's Fight Club."
The BYU spoof on the Old Spice YouTube commercials has logged more than 1.7 million viewers since it was released July 15. The parody suggests that studying at the library is the way to become a scholar. It was mentioned on the CBS News site and by other leading blogs and news sites.
According to a BYU press release: "The HBLL's student-driven Multimedia Production Unit, led by Mike Hill and Christopher Garcia, shot the promo in one day last month and posted the final product online Thursday, July 15. Within hours, comments came in from all over the country – and even a few from around the globe. Trust us, you'll want to watch it more than once." The creators even have their own blog.
In California, members of the San Monica 3rd Young Single Adults ward are taking credit for "Jane Austen's Fight Club" film trailer that promotes a fictional movie. It has gone viral with nearly 440,000 views. It won top honors at the "SM3/LA1 Film Festival" held at the local Santa Monica Stake Center. Time magazine featured it on its viral blog noting it was sponsored by the LDS Church. That's probably a stretch. Here's some fun Facebook photos of those involved.
That's not the end to the Santa Monica 3rd Ward's work. The game show "Minute to Win It" filmed the group's Family Home Evening on June 14. It will be featured as part of the program's "Summer Episode" that includes equipment available in most back yards. The result is scheduled to air tonight (July 28) at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific) on NBC.
Short takes:
For Kevin Voisin, a returned LDS missionary and eighth-generation oysterman, the gulf oil spill is just another calamity in a long line that have afflicted the family with 200-year roots in Louisiana, the Associated Press reports. The Los Angeles Times features Joshua Dubois, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. A photo with the article pictures President Obama, Dubois, Sen. Harry Reid, President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Dallin H. Oaks.
The U.K.'s newest Mormon Member of Parliament, David Rutley, has been named to the Treasury Select Committee investigating competition in the banking sector, according to Dow Jones Financial News.
Another LDS Rugby star faces challenges of playing on Sunday in Australia. Tautau Moga is a standout from Queensland and has been selected for international play with the Australian Schoolboys squad, according to the Queensland Times.
Utah's former archivist corrected The Salt Lake Tribune on its recent Pioneer Day quiz. Jeffrey O. Johnson wrote: "Parley P. Pratt did not enter the Salt Lake Valley before Brigham Young. Pratt was still on the plains in July 1847 and did not reach Salt Lake until September. Also, of the 1847 pioneers, 50 percent were not under 20. Of the 142 men, three women and two young boys, only 15 were aged 20 or under. Most of the group was in their 20s (21-29). The second largest group was in their 30s, and 37 of the group were over 40, including two men in their 60s."