Using minimal special effects, an unseen villain, and less blood than Psycho, director Oren Peli proves that suspense is more horrifying than gore. The film follows the amateur paranormal investigation of a young couple in San Diego. Odd occurrences have plagued Katie, played by Katie Featherson, since she was eight years old, and now that she has moved in with her boyfriend of three years, Micah (portrayed by Micah Sloat), the intensity of the oddities seem to be spiking.
The documentary style of the film is reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. The film shows no opening credits. A still frames expresses gratitude to the San Diego police and the families of the main characters. A whispered hush of, “Is this real?” flutters through the audience the first time the couples’ bedroom door moves of its own accord. The closing frames explain the fate of the couple after the end of the film, and then ensures the audience that the characters and events are fictional.
Simple and Effective Cinematic Techniques for Terror
Where Blair Witch inspired nausea with the jarring camera work, Paranormal Activity, minimizes the distracting effect of running with the camera by using a tripod and a single set for several of the most tense scenes. The camera work looks deceptively amateur, but each shot maximizes and increases the tension. And according to the film’s Web site, Micah Sloat, who doubled as the male lead and primary cameraman, would occasionally need to close the view finder of the camera to get the amateur feel.
The cast of five fit together brilliantly, especially Katie Featherson and Micah Sloat. In the supporting cast, Mark Fredrichs appears as the psychic to whom the couple turn for help. Amber Armstrong plays Katie's supportive friend, and Ashley Palmer appears only on the couple's computer. An internet net search reveals Palmer as a victim of similar paranormal circumstances. Featherson and Sloat carry the majority of the film with the other actors appearing only briefly. The absolute believability of their performances makes the audience question if they are acting – only adding to the nagging doubt of fiction.
Katie and Micah move through their lives as many couples do. Banal experiences like brushing teeth and having coffee fall into the background as Katie's life-long problem begins to consume their lives. Micah's jovial and light-hearted dismissal of the phenomenon gives way to frustration as the situation worsens. He watches Katie crumble under fear and anger as he pointlessly tilts windmills by dumping powder on the floor or getting a Ouija board.
The pitch and pace of the film increase rapidly as the film sprints toward the terrifying conclusion. Scenes shot in total silence heighten the tension, and the terror of a barely audible thump sends gasps through the audience.
“The fact that we have a lot of scenes in the movie that are totally quiet forces the audience to be quiet and really pay attention to every little thing,” said Peli from an interview from the film's Web site. “Silence only emphasizes that little tap on the wall you know is not supposed to be there.”
Mass Marketing of Peli's Paranormal Activity
Peli, a software designer by trade, wrote and directed the film – his first. Unbelievably, the movie was shot in Peli’s home over the course of six days. The film’s Web site tells the history and path the film took to the big screen beginning with its initial submission to Screamfest, a festival for homemade horror films.
The marketing effort for the film has been equally genius. Unlike Blair Witch, Paranormal Activity makes no effort beyond the film to create the illusion of "reality." Using the Web site, social media sites, and mass email distribution, the film asks audiences to demand the movie for their city. A news release from the filmmakers reported that the demands reached one million on Oct. 10. Ostensibly the million-viewer demand warranted a nation-wide release on Oct. 16, 2009.
