Alrighty everyone, Harry here. I have been fascinated with the work being done to promote THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT as well as the amazing degree of pre-release self-procreating fan created mythology that has reached a full steam. I've never really seen anything like it.
The last time a horror film caused this sort of buzz... That I'm aware of was THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE... which still to this day has people believing that there really is or was a group of Bar-B-Que sellers on some deserted road in Texas that'd kill and cook wandering van loads of teenagers. Here in Austin the house where they shot the film became a gathering place for the strange and unusual of our world. Various dead and ripped open animals would be found from time to time inside the house, and the local nazis decided that BLACK MAGIC was taking place in that house so... They BULLDOZED it a whiles back.
But now we're dealing with THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Definately a more subdued name than THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE... but it almost has the same rhythm when you say them. They are both films shot for nearly nothing that are fantastic exercises in editing (both sound and visual). That being said, they are in fact very different movies.
First up, here's a look at the upcoming "CURSE OF THE BLAIR WITCH" special coming up on the SciFi channel. This isn't your typical, run of the mill studio hack job of a television special that hacks up pieces of the film then hires a well known actor to... 'walk you through the film' as though it were a museum. From the sounds of things, they've done more 'research' and culled together 'extra' information about what happened in those woods. Here's Twigman with the report.
But now we're dealing with THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Definately a more subdued name than THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE... but it almost has the same rhythm when you say them. They are both films shot for nearly nothing that are fantastic exercises in editing (both sound and visual). That being said, they are in fact very different movies.
First up, here's a look at the upcoming "CURSE OF THE BLAIR WITCH" special coming up on the SciFi channel. This isn't your typical, run of the mill studio hack job of a television special that hacks up pieces of the film then hires a well known actor to... 'walk you through the film' as though it were a museum. From the sounds of things, they've done more 'research' and culled together 'extra' information about what happened in those woods. Here's Twigman with the report.
Had a chance to see the upcoming SciFi Channel Special (airing on July 12 at 10:00 P.M., and again at 1:00 A.M.) "Curse of The Blair Witch," a VERY devilish look at all of the mythology behind the upcoming film. It's divided into several segments: The original tale of Elly Kedward, the Blair Witch herself; background and interviews with friends/family of the three missing filmmakers, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams; a closer look at the Rustin Parr murders in the 1940's that he claimed were done at the direction of the Witch (and this is also the basis of the upcoming comic book from Oni Press, by the way); and some investigative background on the disappearance of Heather, Josh & Mike, the discovery of their footage, etc.
The show is very well paced, and really draws you into the entire Blair Witch mythology. There are some VERY unnerving moments in it, and it's really on par with the film itself. (There's also a few bits that'll have you laughing your ass off, as well; of course, these moments are followed by some absolutely creepy-as-hell scenes, which work very well as a whole).
The show will absolutely suck you into the world of the film, and is a great introduction to the story without giving away spoilers. This isn't just a shallow marketing ploy to sell tickets, either; some of the tales told are remarkably well thought-out and executed, and are far from filler. You'll be DYING to see the film after you've seen the special, I should think.
Thanks for letting me give a little sneak-peak; I'll have some more info on 'Blair Witch' goodies soon....
Ok... Harry here again. All of this sort of thing has led to the next report which.. well... I'll just sum it up for ya. The anticipation coupled with an excellent word of mouth "I've heard that..." campaign has led to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT actually being listed as an Urban Legend by a few websites that deal in urban legends. One of the main accomplishments I believe the film succeeds at is being the first film (accept maybe for that that bigfoot siting film) that actually created it's own tangible living mythology. And I thrill at it. Check out This Page to explore the whole world of Urban Legends.
And lastly we have the following which I believe is... ahem... even more fun. Apparently when some viewers saw the film in Chicago a few weeks back, those sitting close to the screen were struck with a sense of motion sickness and had to excuse themselves. ISN'T THAT FRIGGIN FANTASTIC!!! Do you realize how much William Castle would've killed for press like that? And here it really happened. So... I guess what the lesson is... Sit back away from the screen... for health reasons. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT may upset your stomach. Ok... So how many of you are now DEFINATELY going to sit on the front row?
Hey, Harry.. long time reader, first time writer... The Blair Witch Project. Caught it here in Chicago a few weeks back. The "Brew n View" had a special "Invite Only" viewing and I snuck in. Here's the Real Deal:
Yes, the BWP is great. Imaginative and creative and smart and even funny. It's also very scary because it causes the viewer use their own internal Industrial Light and Magic... that all being said... I don't think this movie is going to hit it big. It's going to be HUGE on home video, but not in the theaters and here are the reasons why: a) it's nauseating. There's virtually no gore, but the people running with the camera constantly caused several people in the front rows at the viewing to excuse themselves. Most of these motion-sick people had to stand way back in theater to regain their equilibirum. If you sit up front, near a large movie screen, you might get the same effect that they use in those "virtual reality" rides that the kids love so much. b) it's premise is too good. I hate to say this and I pray that I'm wrong, but most movie goers (the visitors to this page excempted of course!) simply won't get it. In a world where the "Waterboy" rules, I fear for this terrific film
Please, don't get me wrong; I really hope the Blair Witch Project makes it big and proves me an idiot. It's smart and inventive, two things that Hollywood seems to forgotten how to be. Too often the creative process gets drowned out in a sea of money. Alright, that's two cents...
Sign Me,
Yes Andy
