Let’s go with the footage that we shot in Maryland and see what happens.”Įduardo Sánchez: “We started talking about these other movies that we love like The Legend of Boggy Creek, and Chariots of the Gods, and this show, In Search of…, which was this pseudo-documentary show that was hosted by Leonard Nimoy. “Let’s just cut all the documentary stuff. Williams, and Joshua Leonard – who go into the woods looking to make a documentary about a local Maryland legend, the “Blair Witch.” Here, writer-directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez talk about their initial idea, how they found their cast, and their unique approach to capturing shaky terror in the woods. Through the haze of all that history, it can sometimes be hard to remember the details of the film itself: a simple story about three friends – played by Heather Donahue, Michael C. It would then go on to spur debates about whether it was actually that scary, and kick off a run of “found-footage” imitators seeking to replicate its success.
(Remember all those secret screenings and stories about the cast being real-life victims of the witch? We do.) Following its initial limited release on July 14, 1999, the movie would go wide later that month and go on to make $140.5 million dollars at the domestic box office off a budget of $60,000. The Blair Witch Projectintroduced a new type – and level – of hype into the entertainment industry, and then lived up to it. Following a storied reception at its premiere at Sundance in January 1999, the ultra low-budget flick was snatched up by distributors Artisan Entertainment and, thanks to the efforts of that company and the filmmakers, rode one of the first ever viral marketing campaigns to become a genuine pop-culture phenomenon. The Movie: The Blair Witch Project (1999) 86%
VOTE FOR THIS MOMENT IN OUR 21 MOST MEMORABLE MOVIE MOMENTS POLL In this special video series, we speak to the actors and filmmakers who made those moments happen, revealing behind-the-scenes details of how they came to be and diving deep into why they’ve stuck with us for so long. Once we’ve announced all 21, it will be up to you, the fans, to vote for which is the most memorable moment of all. In this episode of our ‘21 Most Memorable Moments’ series, writers and directors Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick reveal how they worked with Heather Donahue to create one of the 1990s’ most disturbing horror scenes. In 2019, Rotten Tomatoes turns 21, and to mark the occasion we’re celebrating the 21 Most Memorable Moments from the movies over the last 21 years. Watch: Writer directors Eduárdo Sanchez and Dan Myrick on the making of The Blair Witch Project above.