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Question of the Day (QOTD) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a film/TV-related question that we put to you, the reader. The comments section below is like the feedback box at work; except, in this example, we actually read what you write and care about what you have to say.
Although widely popularized after the release of 1999’s The Blair Witch Project, the use of found footage as a film technique actually dates back to 1961’s The Connection. It was The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity that turned it into a common horror trope.
However, within the last decade, found footage films have sort of become stale. They’ve entered all genres since it’s a cheap way to shoot a movie. The quality doesn’t necessarily have to be there if you can just explain it all away as the main character being shit at holding a camera. Found footage needs to be reinvented in order to maintain its popularity.
So, the question I ask today is: can found footage films make a comeback?
I think they can, but it needs to feel fresh. Another Paranormal Activity sequel isn’t going to solve the problem. I’ve seen so many low-budgeted films use found footage as a filmmaking technique and it’s been utter garbage.
Personally, I think a superhero film might be its best shot. Pick a character like Booster Gold; someone who is being a hero for fame and glory. You could have him live-stream all of his fights. His fans will be recording him fighting too. He will be on talk shows and give interviews. Pull the footage from all these sources.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, give me a found footage film that feels like it’s not something I’ve already seen a dozen times. I don’t care if that’s in the horror genre or the science-fiction one. I’m just tired of all these films with characters recording themselves at night or filming themselves running away from monsters.
So what about you, folks? Do you think found footage films can become popular again?
I’ll see you in the trenches.
