Found footage films are a whole niche that may or may not be spectacular, but sci-fi cinema Chronicle
used this stylistic choice to perfection. The attempt to create the impression that the film was made by the subjects themselves, and that the product itself was simply found and then distributed, is most often found in the horror genre. Here are such cult films as The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal activityand many others see the story unfold as the people recording the recording begin to feel anxious, notice something unusual, or generally feel uneasy.
While the same filming style can be used in other genres, horror tends to best suit the found footage style as it creates tension, drama and a more intimate story that focuses on individuals. But one of the best movies to come out in the last 20 years was actually a sci-fi superhero movie. Chronicle follows three young people who stumble upon a mysterious asteroid that lands nearby, granting them incredible superpowers such as telekinesis, flight, and enhanced strength and endurance. And despite the apparent shift away from more grounded stories, the found footage style was perfect for this film.
‘Chronicle’ combines characters’ superpowers with camera footage
The camera fits perfectly with Chronicle’s story
One of the three boys, Andrew, played by Dane DeHaan, is more socially awkward than the other two, and rather than playing sports or hanging out with friends, he gravitates toward more isolating hobbies. One of these hobby – recording and documenting my life on a video camera. And once Andrew and the others are empowered, it will be the perfect time for him to document this entire experience and write down his developments.
Andrew initially carries a camera around, recording what he sees and hears, but after some practice with his new powers, he discovers that he has the ability to lift the camera into the air and control it remotely. So the film may move on to more cinematic and supernatural sequences, but still makes sense in the story. From this point on, the camera feels like it has a front row seat to the boys’ actions and heroism and watches them develop and refine their abilities.
According to Cashier MojoThe film was made on an extremely low budget of just $12 million. While this clearly shows the success of the film, which earned over $126 million, it is also surprising considering the fact that it is a superhero film made in 2012. The Amazing Spider-Man with a budget of 230 million dollars, Avengers for $220 million and Christopher Nolan’s latest Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, for a whopping $250 million, all were released in 2012. Yes, these are blockbusters, but sci-fi stories are even more so Superhero movies don’t usually come cheap..
But thanks to the found footage style of filming, the film was able to create something more intimate and hide certain elements behind a slightly less polished shooting style that could have resulted in huge costs. However, this in no way detracts from the quality of the final product, and in fact helps make it feel more intimate and realistic. This means that the found footage video style was actually the perfect choice to tell this story and create something epic in scope despite a much more limited budget.
However, not all found footage films are created equally. Because it’s an incredibly affordable shooting style that allows you to literally record a movie on a smart device with lower quality, fewer performers, and virtually no special effects, it can become a popular choice for aspiring filmmakers. But for the found footage to work, it is necessary you must provide a valid reason for the presence of the camera. Additionally, the camera should feel like another character.
Connected
Chronicle managed to do this by presenting Andrew as a lonely and isolated young man who documented his life using his VCR. This made him treat the camera as a friend and communicate with it. As a result, viewers feel even more involved in the story as the camera becomes an anchor and access point. And when things progress and the camera starts moving regardless of who’s holding it, it feels even more freeing and exciting. Ultimately, this use of camera and shooting style made Chronicle one of the best found footage films to date.