The Blair Witch Project: observation as to why it is a low budget film

The Blair Witch Project is a low budget physiological horror film released in 1999. It grossed $248 million at the box office- making it the fifth highest-earning film ever made. Although it was very successful, it is obvious that the film was produced on a low budget.

There is a lack of equipment and props used throughout the film, for example tripods and wheeled support (dolly). This becomes apparent during many of the physical movement scenes in which the audience sees Heather Donahue’s point of view because she is holding the camera, which is called a hand-held shot. Although this type of shot was used to place the audience in her position, it was more likely filmed like this because they did not have sufficient equipment to create a tracking or pan shot for example. There is also only natural light used which could suggest that they did not have artificial lighting equipment.

This brings me onto the location of the film itself: Seneca Creek State Park, Montgomery which is where the majority of the film is shot. Due to the fact that this is a woodland area and outdoors, it is a free to use location and only requires natural light.

Throughout the film, there is a great deal of long take shots which gives the impression of little editing- this creates a more realistic feel to the film.  

The RCA Hi-8 Camcorder which was the only camera used to film the Blair Witch Project was technically advanced in 1997 (when the film was shot) but as a viewer of the film in 2016, it is of a poor quality which once again proves that this film was produced on a low budget. On the other hand, these factors give a nostalgic feel and many will be able to relate to their own home footage during this decade.

The actors and actress (Heather Donahue, Michael C Williams and Joshua Leonard) of the film, at the time, were unknown because the producer could not afford A grade actors/actresses to feature in the film. The three actors and actress seen on screen were also the directors thought out the eight days of filming.