Week 2 Session 1 - Virality Research
- eliesamouhi5
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
This past weekend, I archived more Instagram posts that have helpful information for aspiring artists related to creating engaging content.
This post shows how Higgsfield Relight is an AI program that allows one to give new, realistic lighting to any video.
Here is more information from a similar post on Higgsfield AI.
Here’s exactly how to do it 👇
1️⃣ Go to Higgsfield.ai
2️⃣ Click on Relight
3️⃣ Upload your photo with bad lighting — flat, harsh shadows, wrong direction, whatever
4️⃣ Drag the light where you want it using quick presets (top, side, back) or position it manually in 3D
5️⃣ Toggle between soft light for portraits or hard light for drama
6️⃣ Adjust color temperature to match your mood
7️⃣ Click Generate
What you’ll get:
✅ Full light direction control — six preset positions + manual 3D positioning
✅ Intensity adjustment — brightness control from 0–100%
✅ Soft vs. hard lighting toggle — switch between diffused and dramatic shadows instantly
✅ Color temperature control — adjust warmth/coolness for mood and brand consistency
✅ Post-production fix — control lighting after the shot without reshooting
This post shows 200 hooks for reels so I may never run out and can refer to this list in the future.
This reel explains how to shoot B-roll and behind-the-scenes shots.
1. Handheld Rear Tracking Shot - camera follows behind the subject, handheld, creating a natural, immersive walk-in feel.
2. Frontal Wide Shot - Full body visible from the front, establishing the subject in the middle of the frame.
3. Insert Shot - Tight close-up of things like actions with hands to emphasize detail and action.
4. Frontal Medium Shot - Upper-body framing from the front.
5. Cutaway (Detail Shot) - Side-angle detail used to create atmosphere.
6. Medium Close-Up - chest to face framing
7. Rear Over-The-Shoulder Shot - shot from behind the subject showing them doing an action, placing viewer in their perspective.
8. 3/4 Angle Medium Close-Up - angled medium close up
9. Cutaway - cutaway to different angle in the field of view, such as the ground
• Wide = context
• Medium = behavior
• Insert = detail
• Cutaway = rhythm
• Reaction = emotion
Once you understand shot grammar, you can build sequences that feel natural, immersive, and professional, even with simple actions like sitting in a theater.
VISUAL HOOKS! You have to be super creative.
Opening doors, cabinets, placing the camera on the floor, sitting down in a chair. You have to stop people in the first few seconds of the video!
More hooks!
Transition hook - starting with a snapchat-style video of an unusual situation and transitioning into footage of one's music.
Educational hook - saying that you can provide the answer that many people could benefit from. "Here's a trick every producer should know"
Emotional hook - writing an emotional reason why one made a song on the screen.
Relatable hook - saying a statement that is fun and true, directed to the niche over a video of the music or vibing to the music.
About Me hook - running up to the camera, saying name, and saying what the music is.
Comedy hook - saying a satirical statement or writing on the screen that relates to a stereotype of the niche. "How to date a DJ"
HOOK!
Do something with your hands while talking.
Visual hooks.
Starting video with zoom, body movement, or countdown trick to get the viewer hooked. Zoom pulls the viewer in, countdown has the viewer guess what's next, and the body movement smacks the viewer into watching the video. If one uses these hooks and it still doesn't catch on after a while with views and engagement, then the music and performance energy is the problem.
When your eyes see something to process, your brain pauses, and that is the golden window for retention.
5 viral hooks to try.
POV: Hearing my (x) for the first time. Putting internal thoughts as little pieces of text on the top of the screen while doing so too.
My (x) keeps telling me to (y) this song
Posting my new song with no (x) to see if it reaches the right audience
"A song in (x) can never be a global hit" Me: "you sure?"
Just wrote this (x). What (y) do you think it'd be good for?
POST YOUR MUSIC LIKE ITS HINGE!
Don't propose on first date - earn trust in stages.
Matching content - broad, reaches new people, gets you in front of the right audience. Trending sounds, personality, and relateable moments. Try to get the viewer to "swipe right".
First Date content - where connection happens. Lean into your story and your world. Not selling, letting people decide if they actually like you. BTS content, my actual opinions, this is where strangers become invested.
Commitment content - steam this! Come to the show! Buy this merch! This only works if you've earned that trust.
Don't only post commitment content.
Best way to promote music is to not promote it.
DC3 as an example.
Most artists just post performance clips saying "hey I'm an artist, this is my new song".
DC3 opens with a completely unrelated viral clip that makes the viewer stop scrolling, earning the viewer's attention.
Copying this won't work if you don't understand why it works. Steal like an artist. Take the structure of what's working and make it yours.
That's all for today, and next session, I will be moving on to start experimenting with creating an aesthetic.
Thank you for reading, and have the most gorgeous day ever!
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