For the second time on campus, time stood still for five minutes in the Brickyard Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. A group of 400-500 students froze in place in an event inspired by the improvisation troupe Improv Everywhere and organized by Zack Berman, a junior in biology. Some people stood still in a natural position, some pretended to be using their cell phones, while others stopped in the middle of a high-five or a kiss.

“I was bored one day and found the video from last year’s freeze online, and decided to do it again,” Berman said.

Berman expected it to be more successful than last year’s freeze, which had around 100 participants.

“Last year we started planning too early and the hype died down,” Berman said.  “The date had to be pushed back, and it just lost steam.”

Berman said the goal of the freeze was to have a good time and to encourage spontaneity. He said he did not want to make it stand for something that would be divisive and not everyone would want to participate.

“It’s not something you can attach an agenda to,” Berman said. ”It’s supposed to be fun, something in which anyone can participate.”

Bailey Hayes, a freshman in computer science, said she chose to participate because it was something fun a lot of people would hear about. Hayes froze holding papers she received from a group on the Brickyard.

“I just improvised my position,” Hayes said. “I do feel badly for people who are trying to walk through the Brickyard right now.”

Though the freeze does not raise money or awareness for any causes, there were still many participants.

“I chose to participate because it’s progressive art.  It’s using body language to communicate,” Heidi Garrett, a sophomore in human biology, said. ”I would definitely do it again if they have a freeze next year.”

Students not participating in the freeze had mixed opinions of it. Jennifer Covington, a sophomore in civil engineering, wasn’t aware it was planned and did not know what was happening.

“I was really confused,” Covington said. ”It’s cool though, it doesn’t bother me.”

Abbie Garcia, a freshman in civil engineering, said she was really glad she got to see the freeze and wished she had participated.

“I might do it next year, but I have a hard time standing still,” Garcia said.  “I would definitely want to freeze in a group instead of by myself.”

Berman was very pleased with the success of this year’s freeze. He expected it to be bigger than last year’s freeze but was surprised by this year’s turnout.

“From the film crews that were there, we’ve been told there were around 400 to 500 people. I only expected around 300 people,” Berman said. “I’m glad it didn’t rain, because I know that would have significantly reduced our numbers.”

Berman said the crowd of frozen participants attracted attention from everyone on the Brickyard.

“It was even better than I expected,” Berman said. “There was a crowd gathered around a preacher in the Brickyard, and even he stopped talking during the freeze.”

Berman took an online poll on Tuesday night to find out if people still wanted to go on with the freeze even if it rained, and 70 percent said they wanted the freeze to continue, regardless of the weather.

Logan Corley, a sophomore in biology, thought this year’s freeze was more successful than last year’s.

“This is the second time I’ve done it, and there are definitely more people this year,” Corley said. ”It’s a fun experience – it’s fun to see people’s reactions.”

Most people who participated in this year’s freeze said they would participate in another one. Berman said he would probably be organizing a freeze again next year and might be doing more than just freezing the Brickyard.

“We’re considering freezing people on the sidewalk and in stores on HIllsborough Street, so that anyone driving on Hillsborough Street can see the freeze,” Berman said.