Renew your faith in “Found Footage”
By Zack Andrews & Bobby Roe
Horror already has an advantage over any other genre: you don’t need an A-List star to have a successful movie. Now because of “found footage” you don’t need a studio sized budget either. But have we pushed this 1-2 punch too far? Let’s nip this in the bud right now: people are tired of found footage. The subgenre is watered down, and it’s been abused…maybe even raped. Shooting in this style is a cheap way to make a movie that fits nicely into the low budget horror model.
I know we may come off as Cine-ics, but we’re actually believers. So don’t lose hope in the first person perspective just yet. Story is story and shouldn’t be dictated by camera style. There are many movies out there that have properly used this technique, and it enhanced the overall visceral experience.
Hopefully our execution in The Houses October Built (in theaters, on VOD and iTunes this Friday, October 10th) keeps or renews your faith. We shot this way to keep true to the organic feel of the movie. We used real scare actors and real haunted houses. It would have been a disservice to film it any other way. We’re not saying a movie centered around Halloween haunted houses HAS to be found footage, but a movie that’s actually based in reality…well POV was the only way to get the audience to walk through the haunts and be on the journey with us. Our eyes are now your eyes, and you’re with us in the dark surrounded by all those clowns, too.
Here is a list of found footage movies from the pioneers that started it all to present day interpretations that we believe used the style innovatively to tell a compelling story:
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
This was before them all. They used real natives and went into the heart of darkness for their story. What is staged is for you to decide. Ruggero Deodato, the film’s director, was arrested after the premiere because people thought the murders on screen really happened. And, frankly, after seeing the film, I don’t know if I blame the authorities back then for coming to that conclusion.
The Last Broadcast (1998)
Not saying the movie is by any means perfect. The end falls apart. That said, the filmmakers tried something new and bold. We bring them up because they were nine months before Blair Witch, but disappeared into the ether. This was actually the first movie to be digitally streamed to theaters. If you want to dig deeper, read the chapter on this film in the book Brand Hijack. It’s very interesting and controversial.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
It’s easy to pass over because of the financial success, but PA was a game changer. Specifically, the use of the home camera and the time-lapse made this “ghost” movie feel very authentic. Oren Peli never took it too far which allowed the audience to live through the moment with Katie and Micah. The use of shadows and sounds helped you immerse yourself in some apparition ambience that challenged and frightened your imagination.
Welcome to the Jungle (2007)
Definitely influenced by Cannibal Holocaust, it’s directed by Jonthan Hensleigh (writer of Jumanji, Die Hard: With a Vengeance). The problem with many of these movies is not letting them breathe. For the story to unfold and feel real, moments should be captured that may not necessarily drive the story, but they remind you real life is taking place. WTTJ did this effectively and let the characters develop; because you need to care about someone before you watch them die.
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
The rawness of this film sticks with you. A serial killer documenting and stalking his prey. The tapes themselves seem to each have a life of their own. As we discussed before in allowing a scene to breathe, this film allows the killer to flesh out all of his weird and demented fantasies.
Lake Mungo (2008)
An Australian made movie, which really capitalizes on the found footage idea. Probably one of the best looking films in the genre as well. The filmmakers really captured an authentic missing persons story that will keep you guessing until the end.
V/H/S (2012)
This anthology is the definition of found footage. Literally hundreds of found VHS tapes give every reason in the world to have POV. Regardless of the content of these tapes, from psychotic to supernatural, the movie stays grounded, gritty, and feels like you could find really these tapes in some guy’s basement.
The Remaining (2014)
We haven’t seen it yet, but as fans of “The Leftovers,” the idea of people documenting firsthand the Rapture is very topical and a smart way into the genre.
Let’s face it. Commercially, found footage movies began with Blair Witch and died with Paranormal Activity. That is to say these movies were probably the first and last times the audience really believed the movie could have possibly been made from literal found footage. So presently, the phrase “found footage” is a misnomer. Now, it should more accurately be called “1st person POV” (although it definitely doesn’t have the alliteration nor the ring of the phrase “found footage”). With that in mind, we chose to shoot The Houses October Built this way, not because we think you will believe someone found our tapes, but rather to give you the perspective and experience only first person camera can do. As we mentioned before, would you rather watch someone walk through a haunted house or be the person walking through?
Edited 4:35PM Central to remove Dear Zachery from list as it’s not found-footage, and also an incredibly painful and sad movie.
The Houses October Built
Halloween maze fun turns into slasher horror?
The super fun and unique The Houses October Built is getting a limited theatrical run through Image and RLJ Entertainment October 10, and it may just be the perfect Halloween-time indie to seek out.
“Beneath the fake blood and cheap masks of countless haunted house attractions across the country, there are whispers of truly terrifying alternatives. Looking to find an authentic, blood-curdling good fright for Halloween, five friends set off on a road trip in an RV to track down these underground Haunts. Just when their search seems to reach a dead end, strange and disturbing things start happening and it becomes clear that the Haunt has come to them…”
Bobby Roe directs this new spin on found-footage that stars Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe and Jeff Larson.
