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What is the explosion-behind-you trend and how do you make one?

Updated · Reviewed by The Rift team

Short answer

The explosion-behind-you trend shows a person walking calmly toward the camera while something blows up behind them, and they never look back. It borrows the look of an action-film scene. In Rift, add a photo of yourself, tell Spark the place and the blast, check the Draft and tap Make for a video of up to 15 seconds.

Add a photo of yourself, tell Spark the place and the blast, and Rift makes the calm walk as one shot. To copy one you saw, remake the clip with you in it.

How the format works

Why it is easy to remake

You need one clear photo of yourself and a short line. The setting can change from a city street to a desert road to a school car park. A pet, a friend or a toy can take the lead.

Make your own in Rift

  1. Open Rift and add a clear photo of yourself.
  2. Tell Spark: “Me walking toward the camera down a city street while a fireball goes up behind me. I don’t look back.”
  3. Check the Draft and tap Make.
  4. Find the video in your Library and post it.

For the full guide, see how to make an explosion-behind-you video. For other places, see put yourself in any place.

Ideas for a new take

Keep it fun

Use your own photo or a friend’s with their say. Do not use real people’s faces without permission, and keep it clear it is made for fun.

Questions people ask

Do I need real fire or special effects?

No. Rift builds the scene from your photo, so nothing is filmed.

Why do people like it?

It is a one-line joke with a big picture: calm in front, chaos behind.

Can pets and friends do it?

Yes. Add their photos.

Can I make it with a clip I saw?

Yes. Share the video to Rift and add your photo.

Can I add the sound of the blast?

Sound isn't in the app yet. Add it in your posting app.