The ‘found-footage’ genre is one of the more controversial sub-genres in Horror. The controversy stems not from the artistic merits of the narrative device, but rather from the style of camera work the genre demands. In order to convey a sense of documentary realism, it is almost required that the point of view is shown from the amateurish, unsteady hand holding the camera. Many find it to be distracting and even nauseating. This style of camera work is controversial in the film world altogether, but one film that found a way around this - a simple, ingenious way - was 2007’s haunted house film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.
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In PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, a young couple move into a pleasant suburban home and almost immediately begins to experience disturbances that increase as time passes. The husband is skeptical, but decides to document the experiences by buying a high-end video camera. The disturbances increase in frequency and invasiveness until it is clear to them both that something evil is stalking them - with special focus on the wife, Katie. Many of these incidents occur as the couple sleep, and it is in these moments when the film works its way around the shaky-cam.
During these times, Micha (the husband) locks the video camera off at the foot of the couple’s bed. That way, the audience gets the full force of the creepiness that ensues while still retaining the documentary style so crucial to the effect of the story. The solution was so simple and effective that the sequels to PARANORMAL ACTIVITY eschewed the hand-held camera even further - utilizing locked off security cameras for example. It was an elegant way to realistically tell a very eerie story without distracting the audience too much.
It helps that Katie Featherston and Micha Sloat are very good in their roles and portray a happy young couple under duress damn near perfectly. Their performances are even more impressive when you consider that they had no script and very little scenario preparation. They were basically told the situation, told what to discuss, and generally how to react. The rest was up to the actors, and it is remarkable what they were able to convey in what amounts to improvised performances.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY was a fresh, original entry into the found-footage style of storytelling as well as being a cracking-good haunted house story. It is also the film that gets the most mileage out of a shot of a woman standing still - you won’t forget that image, I assure you!
Parental Guide - No gore, but very intense. 13+
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY fun facts -
Filming took only 10 days.
Filmed in director Oren Peli’s house, Peli spent a year renovating the house to accommodate the demands of the film.
The filmmakers discarded the first two endings. The ending in the final film was the suggestion of Steven Spielberg.
There is no CG in the film. All effects were done "in camera".
Psychic - “You cannot run from this. It will follow you. It may lay dormant for years. Something may trigger it to become more active and it may over time reach out to communicate with you.”
Katie - “There is no way. There is no way you found that in our attic. There is no way that that even exists! I haven't seen that picture in fifteen years. That makes no sense. That makes no sense at all.”
Katie - “I think we'll be okay now…”