LOS ANGELES—John Dennis, a Republican candidate for Congress, shimmies across a sound stage here, trying to look debonair. But his tuxedo is too tight, a hovering make-up artist keeps powdering his nose – and frankly, he feels a bit ridiculous.
“This could go horribly wrong,” Mr. Dennis mutters.
Gamely, he tries the tricky dance moves again. After all, his efforts—part of a daylong video shoot with a wacky assortment of extras like a sultry bartender and shrill Dr. Evil—might pay off on YouTube.
