Q: What was the first found footage horror film?

Cannibal Holocaust isn't the first found footage movie, but it is often cited as the first found footage horror movie. However, this is only partially correct. While Cannibal Holocaust was an extremely important film in the development of the found-footage style, it is not 100% a found footage movie. Most of the film is shot and edited like a traditional narrative movie, and only the footage of the missing crew is presented as found footage. The first true, 100% found footage horror movie may be Manson Family Movies (1984), a film which recreates the Manson Family murders and is presented as home movies filmed by the perpetrators themselves. Other early examples include 1985's Guinea Pig: Devil's Experiment (though multiple POV shots ruin the idea of it being found footage), Psychic Vision: Jaganrei (1988) about a reporter whose coverage of a pop star leads to supernatural events, and The McPherson Tape (1989) which is found footage of a family's encounter with aliens.

Q: What is the best found footage film?

It really depends on what you enjoy. The Blair Witch Project (1999) will always stand out as one of the best in the format, though, like any movie, it has its detractors. Creep (2014) is great for people who like a more grounded, uneasy experience. Rec (2007) is amazing for those who like more monsters and action. Noroi: The Curse (2005) is for people who want something spooky. As Above, So Below (2014) is fantastic for fans of psychological and claustrophobic horror. Found footage has an enormous amount of variety, so there is something for just about everyone's taste.

Question 1

Was Cannibal Holocaust the first found footage?

Accepted Answer

The first true example of a found footage movie is thought to be The Connection (1961). Directed by Shirley Clarke, the movie is presented as footage edited together from an attempt to make a documentary about drug addicts waiting for their next fix. The in-movie director of the documentary, Jim Dunn (William Redfield), is eventually sucked into the world of drugs he's trying to document, and the movie we are watching was assembled by the cameraman as a way to show the world what happened.

Question 2

What was the first found footage horror film?

Accepted Answer

Cannibal Holocaust isn't the first found footage movie, but it is often cited as the first found footage horror movie. However, this is only partially correct. While Cannibal Holocaust was an extremely important film in the development of the found-footage style, it is not 100% a found footage movie. Most of the film is shot and edited like a traditional narrative movie, and only the footage of the missing crew is presented as found footage.

The first true, 100% found footage horror movie may be Manson Family Movies (1984), a film which recreates the Manson Family murders and is presented as home movies filmed by the perpetrators themselves. Other early examples include 1985's Guinea Pig: Devil's Experiment (though multiple POV shots ruin the idea of it being found footage), Psychic Vision: Jaganrei (1988) about a reporter whose coverage of a pop star leads to supernatural events, and The McPherson Tape (1989) which is found footage of a family's encounter with aliens.

Question 3

What is a horror mockumentary?

Accepted Answer

A mockumentary is a movie that is presented as a documentary, but the subject matter is fictional. "Mockumentary" is often used interchangeably with "pseudo-documentary," though, for those who choose to make a distinction between the two, the mockumentary label is more often associated with comedy and satire while pseudo-documentary is usually used for fake documentaries with a more dramatic or horrific intent.

An example of a horror mockumentary is What We Do in the Shadows (2014), while a horror pseudo-documentary example is Lake Mungo (2008).

Question 4

What is a found footage thriller?

Accepted Answer

A thriller movie is built around suspense and tension, as opposed to horror which is more about creating shocking moments and fear. Thriller and horror are two genres that overlap significantly, so the distinction between a found footage thriller and a found footage horror movie isn't always clear, and it's not always important. However, here are a few examples of found footage movies that could arguably be considered more thriller than horror: Creep (2014), Chronicle (2012), and Unfriended: Dark Web (2018).

Question 5

Why are found footage films popular?

Accepted Answer

Found footage is a popular format for horror because it can be incredibly effective when done well. By presenting a movie as if it is real footage of actual events, we are viewing the story in a way that mimics how we might experience it for ourselves. That brings us closer to the action and to the characters, and it can make the movie a more visceral experience. For many horror movies, creating that type of experience is crucial.

In a traditionally crafted movie, we are forced to accept the story despite the barrier of knowing we are watching clips of actors edited together in a way that recreates a stylized version of reality. When done well, found footage removes most of that barrier and allows us to immerse ourselves in the world of the movie much more quickly and easily.

A less artistic reason the format is so popular is because filmmakers can make an effective found footage movie, on average, much cheaper than they can make a similarly effective traditionally-made movie. That not only allows more people to make a movie, but it also allows for more experimentation in styles since the movie needs to make back less money to be considered a success. That has led to a plethora of found footage movies in the decades since The Blair Witch Project popularized the format, and many of those moves are excellent (with many more being average at best).

Question 6

What is the best found footage film?

Accepted Answer

It really depends on what you enjoy. The Blair Witch Project (1999) will always stand out as one of the best in the format, though, like any movie, it has its detractors. Creep (2014) is great for people who like a more grounded, uneasy experience. Rec (2007) is amazing for those who like more monsters and action. Noroi: The Curse (2005) is for people who want something spooky. As Above, So Below (2014) is fantastic for fans of psychological and claustrophobic horror. Found footage has an enormous amount of variety, so there is something for just about everyone's taste.

Chris Laverne

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