Top 10 Fun Facts About The Blair Witch Project That You Didn’t Know

Source: Artisan Entertainment

The Blair Witch Project, released in 1999, is a horror movie that has gained a cult following over the years. The film was made on a tight budget and its unique found footage style, along with an effective marketing campaign, contributed to its success at the box office. Here are 10 interesting facts about The Blair Witch Project:

1. No Script

The actors were given a 35-page outline instead of a script. The dialogue was improvised, and the actors were given clues about what would happen next. This helped create a sense of realism and spontaneity.

2. Realism

The film was shot in eight days in the woods of Maryland. The actors camped out in the woods and were given minimal supplies. They were also not allowed to shower or change their clothes to help create a sense of authenticity.

3. Missing

The filmmakers used real missing persons posters to promote the film. The posters were put up in cities where the film was playing, and some people believed they were real.

4. Creating Buzz

The filmmakers created a mythology around the Blair Witch. They created fake documentaries and websites to make it seem like the Blair Witch was a real legend. This helped build buzz and anticipation for the film.

5. Title Change

The film’s original title was “The Woods”. It was changed to “The Blair Witch Project” to make it sound like a true story.

6. Small Budget Big Returns

The film’s budget was only $60,000. It went on to gross over $248 million worldwide.

7. Editing

The filmmakers shot over 19 hours of footage, which was then edited down to the 82-minute final cut. The editing process was crucial in creating the tension and scares that the film is known for. Some of the footage that didn’t make it into the final cut was later used in the film’s sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2.

8. Directing

The film’s directors, Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, have gone on to direct other horror movies, but none have achieved the same level of success as The Blair Witch Project.

9. Hotels

The film’s final scene, where Heather is facing the wall, was actually shot in a hotel room, not in the woods. The filmmakers couldn’t find a suitable location in the woods, so they used a hotel room instead. They covered the walls with leaves and twigs to make it look like it was still in the woods. The scene was shot in one take, and the actress was not told what was going to happen, adding to the authenticity of her reaction.

10. GPS and Milk Crates

To create a sense of realism, the filmmakers gave the actors GPS devices that would guide them to their next location. However, the GPS devices were rigged to lead the actors in circles, which caused them to become lost and disoriented. This added to the tension and fear that the actors experienced during the shoot. The filmmakers also left them messages in milk crates to help guide them through the woods.