Making a Found Footage Film

Why Not A Found Footage Film?

Found footage films are becoming more and more popular due to a few simple facts. You do not have provide a full shooting script. The actors are usually given freedom to make up dialogue and move freely as long as they arrive at a certain point at a certain time.

The actors are carrying the camera so there is no need for a full time camera person. Since the camera is constantly moving there is no need for complex lighting or sound set ups. It is cowboy filmmaking. It is closer to shooting a documentary than a narrative film.

Another advantage is cost. Shooting in one central location like the movie Paranormal Activity allows a film maker to save money. Moving a cast and crew cost. Even if it is across the street there is a cost of time and money.

Also the cost of equipment needs to be noted. With found footage anything goes. You can shoot a feature length film using a old vhs video camera. You can use any consumer video camera and of course you can use your iPhone. I am convince that the first successful feature film shot with the iPhone will be found footage.

I hope that I have not made it sound too easy. If it was easy to make a good film then everyone would be doing it. You will still need careful planning. You will still need to craft a script that allows room for your actors to ad lib while still keeping them on course. You will probably need to rehearse you actors more than normal for the obvious reason. You will need to make sure that they understand their characters and where to take them. If action or effects are going to be involved then they are going to need to know where their marks are and when to hit them. Also the actor who holds the camera needs to be good at it. He or she needs to understand what to shoot and what not to shoot. “Something is going to happen in the background about two minutes into this conversation and I need you to have this area of the room or background in the frame.” You will learn this as you go and it will be fun even when you make mistakes.

I realize that most found footage type films have been horror or thrillers. This does not mean that the one that you make has to be one of those genres. You could do action or drama or comedy. Think project X as an example of how comedy can be done. This field of film making is wide open and the equipment is truly at your finger tips.

Good luck with making your movie. If there is a subject that you believe should be covered, please contact me by leaving a comment.