Gallery: Constructing the Summer's Viral Video Hit

  • Airtime
    01

    airtime-2

    Launched Tuesday, Portal A's Airtime was shot in a Pacific Palisades mansion after nearly six months of prep work.
  • 2 Legit 2 Quit
    02

    2-legit-2-quit

    This 2011 campaign video for San Francisco mayoral candidate Ed Lee featured hip-hop dance moves from celebrity rapper MC Hammer and from tech executives like Google VP Marissa Mayer. It spread like wildfire on tech blogs and among Silicon Valley insiders before racking up more than 400,000 views on YouTube. (Oh, and Lee went on to win 60 percent to 40 percent.)
  • Don't Stop Believing
    03

    dont-stop-believing

    Shot in just two hours outside a Major League Baseball division championship game in San Francisco, this three-and-a-half minute tribute to the Giants has racked more than 2.5 million YouTube views. Portal A's Nate Houghteling and Kai Hasson were joined by on-camera lead Ashkon Davaran, who sang a rewrite of the eponymous Journey song. (Oh, and not for nothing, but the Giants ended up plowing forward to their first World Series win in 56 years.)
  • Bankers Vs. Consultants
    04

    bankers-vs-consultants

    This video wallows in Wall Street geekery and jargon, which is just fine: It was created to promote a Hyperion book that lampooned the life of young financiers. And it racked up 1.5 million YouTube views despite the niche positioning.
  • Jawbone Wednesday Was a Good Day
    05

    jawbone-wednesday-was-a-good-day

    Shot in San Francisco, this three-and-a-half-minute music video was loosely based on rapper Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day." The *Office Space*-themed vid was designed to tout Jawbone's bluetooth speaker system, the Jambox.
  • White Collar Brawler
    06

    white-collar-brawler

    Portal A co-founders Kai Hasson and Nate Houghteling put on the gloves for a 23-episode [documentary web series](http://whitecollarbrawler.com/) on learning to box. The series ended with a grudge match between the co-producers – and a flattering notice in the New York Times.
  • YouTube Rewind 2011
    07

    youtube-rewind-2011-2

    Google contracted Portal A to assembled its annual retrospective [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmnkYyHQqNs). The montage – "heavy on babies and cats," Portal A says – racked up 3.5 million views.
  • Fashion Show on a Plane
    08

    fashion-show-on-a-plane-2

    This partnership between Virgin America and Banana Republic put models on a flight from JFK to SFO wearing BR's spring 2012 line.
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures. 
Simon Hill
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes to Keep You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino is one of the best fabrics you can wear. We explain the different blends, what “gsm” means, and how to care for your clothes.
Scott Gilbertson
The 11 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride
I tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
Adrienne So
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.
Julian Chokkattu