I know even though they make truck loads of money, some people dislike the horror found footage genre. I personally think they're great in that they are films that amateurs produce with little to no budget, and still make an effective film.  Also I think seeing through the camera's lens can much more frightening than the usual setup, since it's more of seeing through the eyes of the character.

What are your thoughts on the genre?

Hello Ectoplasm

To me, it's like, "Alright, Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch were successful so if we copy their style our movie will be just as awesome!!!"

I think if indie film makers think that's the case, it's not. Paranormal and Blair Witch succeeded only because they could deliver scares. You wouldn't say they were good movies but they did what they were supposed to do. When film makers try and copy this genre, they are usually disasters.

On youtube, most of the horror indie trailers I have seen are the found footage ones (they sucked btw). The truth being, if somebody thinks shaky cam is the way to go for a good movie, it isn't. If your directing sucked beforehand, chances are it will suck now. Sorry if it sounds harsh but IMO it's true. I'm not saying I could make a better movie but running around like a tool with a camera doesn't make it better either.

District 9 uses this technique heavily and that's one of those few moments in film where it actually works. Cloverfield and Rec used it but I haven't seen neither, despite the fact I have them both

I guess that's it for me.

Rant over!

Mohammad

I see what you're saying in that a lot of people think they could do it just because they saw those movies, and then it turns out like crap. I like District 9 and Cloverfield is an awesome example of a good found footage film. I have yet to see Rec but I hear it's great and Quarantine was pretty good.

I like them, even have an idea for one myself that will hopefully come to fruition at some point.

Like any other genre, it's about how well they are done.

Rec 1 and 2 were brilliant films imo...fast paced, tense with good action.

District 9 was only a hair's breadth short of an all time classic.

A particuar favourite of mine is a Japenese film called Noroi: The Curse...which is surprisingly complicated for one of these types of films.

Funnily enough my least favourite flms are the two best known and most successful...Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity.

Blair Witch remains one of the worst films I've ever seen...I found myself laughing out loud at it in the cinema...particularly when she started snotting on the screen, and then more just thinking how they managed to get away with passing this off as something new. I remain amazed not just how successful it's been..but that others seem to find it genuinely scary.

All they do is walk round a woods. Nothing of any interest or tension happens and I found the acting and character reactions absurd and unbelievable (like throwing the map away)...but at least the ending was good.

Paranormal Activity was a little better. Again, nothng happens...people just talk a lot...but it was a little more interesting...the ending I saw when she threw the man across the screen had me in hysterics again. Couldn't stop laughing for about an hour...and I still laugh when I think about it now.

Two of the best comedies I've ever seen, but I don't think that was quite the point.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films A particuar favourite of mine is a Japenese film called Noroi: The Curse...which is surprisingly complicated for one of these types of films.

Damn, scar! You've seen every movie and now you've made me add this one to the list. I will try and find it somewhere, Japanese cinema is one of the best in the world. From their movies to their anime.

Quoted from nawazm11 Damn, scar! You've seen every movie and now you've made me add this one to the list. I will try and find it somewhere, Japanese cinema is one of the best in the world. From their movies to their anime.

It's not perfect. It's even a bit cheap at times, but it really worked for me.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0930083/

I found a website listing the best 50 Asian Horrors and started working my through them...might be worth a google, there were some good ones on there I'd never heard of.

I'll be sure to check that film out Scar, I'm interested in seeing some Japanese horror since a lot of our horror movies are remakes from there (crappy ones at that).  

Also, very tough to find, is a movie called The Poughkeepsie Tapes.  One of the best in the subgenre.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films A particuar favourite of mine is a Japenese film called Noroi: The Curse...which is surprisingly complicated for one of these types of films.

Haven't seen this one, Rick.
Thanks for the tip.
It's in my queue now.

Cheers,
E.D.

I watched Megan is Missing not long ago. wasn't too bad.

I also think it's interesting that the found footage style is finding it's way to the superhero genre with Chronicle.  The idea of using the camera to ground the fantastic in some sort of reality may work there.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  I liked The Blair Witch Project.  I thought the story and the characters were realistic.  I wish that, when I saw it, I was one of the people who thought it was real.


Phil

You know, I've never seen the Blair Witch. BUT, before the film came out, I came home from work one night and turned on the late night tv shows. I ended up on the sci fi channel, and there was a one hour program that was presented as a documentary about the coming Blair Witch. It was very effective. I can really see why a lot of people were fooled and went into that film thinking it was real. I think I remember reading a lot of people were mad at the sci fi channel for that, but it was brilliant marketing.

Quoted from BoinTN I also think it's interesting that the found footage style is finding it's way to the superhero genre with Chronicle.

Thanks for mentioning that, Boin. I think everybody must've seen that ad on youtube by now But you're very right. I'd like to see where they take that.

Paranormal Activity was rubbish! The title should have been Ordinary Activity because nothing happened!

REC 1 and 2 was good though, might have to check some of the ones mentioned above out.

Steve