How to Do the Skull Cap Trend
Updated
Film two short shots from the same spot. First a goofy "before" in a bright room, then the "after": lights off, a black skull cap under your hood, glasses off, a blank stare. Put the skull cap trend song on and cut from one shot to the other exactly on the beat drop.
What you need
- A thin black skull cap or beanie that fits tight
- A hoodie, ideally grey or black
- Glasses for the "before", if you wear them
- A room you can make dark, or a light you can switch off
- A phone propped up or on a stand, so both shots line up
Step 1: Film the "before"
Bright room, all the lights on. Hood down, glasses on, messy hair, big grin. Overdo it: wave, bob your head, look as harmless as possible. Three to five seconds is enough. If you want, end the shot pulling the cap on.
Step 2: Film the "after"
Keep the phone in the same place. Turn the lights off and leave one dim light, like a lamp to the side or a screen. Cap on, hood up, glasses off. Look straight into the lens and do not move or smile. Again three to five seconds.
Step 3: Cut on the beat drop
In TikTok, tap Use this sound on any skull cap video, then add your two clips. Trim the end of the "before" so the switch lands on the drop. In CapCut, line the two clips up, cut on the beat and export without music, then add the sound when you post.
Step 4: Caption and post
Use the classic line "How dudes act 0.01 seconds after putting on a skull cap", or your own version. Add #skullcap and #skullcaptrend.
Tips that make it land
- Make the two shots as different as you can: light against dark, grin against stare.
- Keep your face in the same place in both shots.
- Do not smile in the "after". The deadpan is the joke.
- Film a few takes of the "after". It is harder to keep a straight face than it looks.
New to the meme? Read what the skull cap trend is and where it started.
Or make it from one photo
No filming: upload a photo and get both halves and the cut. The first 5-second preview is free.
Questions
What if I do not have a skull cap?
Any thin black beanie works if you pull it tight. A durag or a dark hood on its own also works. What matters is the dark, close-fitting look in the "after" shot.
How long should the video be?
Most skull cap videos are about ten seconds: a few seconds of "before", the cut on the drop, then a few seconds of the stare.
Can I do it with my dog?
Yes. Film your dog happy in a bright room, then in a small beanie in the dark. Keep the dog in the same spot and use treats to hold its attention.
What should I write as the caption?
The classic is "How dudes act 0.01 seconds after putting on a skull cap". Add #skullcap and #skullcaptrend so people find it.