Found footage

Definition

Found footage is a filmmaking technique that uses video recordings that are purported to be discovered films, often presented as real or documentary-style footage. This style creates a sense of authenticity and immediacy, drawing viewers into a more immersive experience, especially prevalent in horror and suspense films where it heightens tension and believability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The found footage technique gained popularity in the late 1990s with films like 'The Blair Witch Project,' which emphasized realism and low-budget production.
2. Found footage films often employ handheld cameras, creating a raw and unpolished aesthetic that can enhance the horror experience by making it feel more immediate.
3. This genre relies heavily on the audience's suspension of disbelief, as viewers are led to accept the premise that the footage is real and unedited.
4. Common tropes in found footage include characters documenting their own experiences, creating a personal connection to the audience, and often leading to shocking or unexpected outcomes.
5. Found footage has been used not only in horror but also in other genres, including drama and comedy, showcasing its versatility in storytelling.

Review Questions

• How does the found footage technique influence audience perception and engagement in horror films?
  • The found footage technique significantly influences audience perception by creating a sense of authenticity and immediacy. By presenting the story through supposedly real recordings, viewers feel like they are witnessing events as they unfold, heightening their emotional response. This engagement is particularly effective in horror films where the blurred lines between fiction and reality can lead to increased suspense and fear.
• Discuss the key elements that differentiate found footage films from traditional narrative cinema.
  • Found footage films differ from traditional narrative cinema primarily through their stylistic approach and presentation. They often utilize handheld cameras and an unpolished aesthetic, aiming for a documentary feel rather than cinematic perfection. Additionally, these films frequently present themselves as actual discovered footage, which invites viewers to engage with them on a different level than scripted narratives. The lack of professional production values can create an immersive experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
• Evaluate the impact of found footage as a narrative device in shaping contemporary horror cinema's evolution.
  • Found footage has had a profound impact on contemporary horror cinema by redefining how stories are told and experienced. This narrative device allows filmmakers to experiment with realism, drawing audiences into a more intimate connection with the characters' fears and experiences. As found footage continues to evolve, it challenges traditional filmmaking techniques and opens up new avenues for storytelling, encouraging a sense of participation from viewers that amplifies their emotional investment in the narrative.

Related terms

Mockumentary: A genre that blends fictional events with documentary style, often using humor to parody traditional documentary filmmaking.

Cinematography: The art and technology of motion-picture photography, focusing on how scenes are shot and the visual storytelling techniques used.

Suspense:

A feeling of excitement or anxious uncertainty about what may happen next in a story, often enhanced by the use of pacing and dramatic tension.