How to Film the Hop Hop Hop Trend Yourself

Want to know how to do the hop hop hop trend for real? The hop hop hop trend looks effortless, but the joke only works when the distance, the hands and the swap are right. This guide shows how to film the hop hop hop trend yourself: where each person stands, how far back the puppet goes, the string gestures, when to swap, and how to fix the takes that don't work. (Can't get together? Hop Hop Hop AI makes the hop hop hop trend from two photos.)

Here's a version that nails it:

@bbbeataaa

What the hop hop hop trend looks like

One person, the puppet master, holds the phone on the front camera. With pinching fingers or a flat palm close to the lens, they "pull strings" above their friend's head. The friend, the puppet, stands a few meters behind and hops, bounces and flails like a marionette. Halfway through, they swap roles. The whole clip is about 8 to 9 seconds, vertical, set to "original sound – venadeaakira", a slowed cut of «Её парень» by Shluzov.

What you need to film the hop hop hop trend

• Two people: one puppet master, one puppet.
• A phone on the front camera, vertical, held by the puppet master.
• A long space: a street, a hallway, a parking lot. The puppet needs 3 to 5 meters.
• Light: a streetlight, a lit hallway or daylight. Phone night modes blur fast moves.
• The sound, added when you post (see below).

How to do the hop hop hop trend, step by step

1. Set the distance. The puppet master holds the phone at arm's length. The puppet stands 3 to 5 meters behind, fully in frame.
2. Line up the hands. The puppet master raises a hand near the lens: pinching fingers as if holding strings, or a flat palm hovering "above" the puppet's head. Because the hand is close and the puppet is far, the hand looks giant. That forced perspective is the whole hop hop hop illusion.
3. Pull the strings. Small, sharp hand movements. The puppet hops, bounces and flails a beat after each pull, like a marionette.
4. Swap halfway. Around the 4 to 5 second mark, swap: the puppet runs to the front and takes the phone, the puppet master runs back. Or film the two halves separately and cut them together.
5. Repeat with roles reversed. Same gestures, new puppet master.
6. Keep it short. About 8 to 9 seconds in total.

Hop hop hop trend timing

Fixes for bad hop hop hop takes

• The illusion doesn't work: the puppet is too close. Move them back, or bring the hand closer to the lens.
• The puppet is late: count it out loud: pull, hop, pull, hop.
• The swap feels slow: film the halves separately and join them in CapCut. See Hop Hop Hop AI vs CapCut.
• Too dark: face the light source. Avoid night mode.
• Shaky camera: brace your elbow against your body.
• The puppet is cut off: step back, or tilt the phone slightly down.

Post the hop hop hop trend with the right sound

Upload, tap Add sound, search venadeaakira and pick «Её парень». More in how to post your hop hop hop video and the hop hop hop song guide.

Can't film the hop hop hop trend?

Different cities, no long street, or a dog that won't hop on cue: Hop Hop Hop AI recreates the distance, the strings and the swap from two photos in about 3 minutes, with your faces.

How to do the hop hop hop trend: quick answers

How far apart should we stand for the hop hop hop trend? About 3 to 5 meters, with the puppet master's hand close to the lens.

How long is a hop hop hop video? About 8 to 9 seconds.

When do you swap in the hop hop hop trend? Around halfway, at 4 to 5 seconds.

What's the hop hop hop sound called? "original sound – venadeaakira", a slowed cut of «Её парень» by Shluzov.

Can I do the hop hop hop trend alone? You need two people, or two photos with Hop Hop Hop AI.

Can I do it with my dog? In real life it's hard. With Hop Hop Hop AI, pets can join: see hop hop hop with your dog or cat.