While 1999’s The Blair Witch Project was a phenomenon upon release, who knew we would still be talking about it 25 years later? More directly, who knew we would be focusing so much on all of the “disrespect” that the studio has for the original cast? At least, that’s the claim that star Joshua Leonard makes, launching a campaign to bring attention to Lionsgate, who acquired Artisan two decades ago and he believes is unfairly profiting from the screams, sweat and tears of the original cast. Now, he is being joined by The Blair Witch Project co-stars Heather Donahue and Michael Williams in their efforts to receive residuals and to be consulted on any future endeavors.
In a joint statement (via Deadline), Leonard, Donahue and Williams are asking that Lionsgate fork over past and future The Blair Witch Project residuals “for acting services rendered in the original Bwp, equivalent to...
In a joint statement (via Deadline), Leonard, Donahue and Williams are asking that Lionsgate fork over past and future The Blair Witch Project residuals “for acting services rendered in the original Bwp, equivalent to...
- 4/21/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Officially announced by Blumhouse and Lionsgate earlier this month, a reboot of The Blair Witch Project is currently in the works, which will be the third follow-up to the original found footage horror classic that changed the game back in 1999. In the wake of the announcement, the original creators and stars have each issued joint statements this weekend.
The Blair Witch Project was created by filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez – along with Haxan Films creative partners Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie and Michael Monello – back in the 1990s, with stars Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard heading out into the woods of Maryland to conjure up horror magic together.
The actors largely improvised their performances and even used their real names in the movie, with the film’s clever viral marketing campaign leading many to believe that they weren’t actually actors in a movie, but rather real...
The Blair Witch Project was created by filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez – along with Haxan Films creative partners Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie and Michael Monello – back in the 1990s, with stars Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard heading out into the woods of Maryland to conjure up horror magic together.
The actors largely improvised their performances and even used their real names in the movie, with the film’s clever viral marketing campaign leading many to believe that they weren’t actually actors in a movie, but rather real...
- 4/21/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The stars of The Blair Witch Project have come together with a public proposal to Lionsgate after the studio recently announced a partnership with Blumhouse for a reboot of the 1999 horror sensation.
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams wrote in a statement on Saturday that they’re asking Lionsgate for retroactive and future residual payments, “meaningful consultation” on any future Blair Witch projects and an annual $60,000 grant for “an unknown/aspiring genre filmmaker to assist in making their first feature film.”
“Our film has now been rebooted twice, both times were a disappointment from a fan/box office/critical perspective,” they wrote in part. “Neither of these films were made with significant creative input from the original team. As the insiders who created the Blair Witch and have been listening to what fans love & want for 25 years, we’re your single greatest, yet thus-far unutilized secret-weapon!”
The trio’s...
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams wrote in a statement on Saturday that they’re asking Lionsgate for retroactive and future residual payments, “meaningful consultation” on any future Blair Witch projects and an annual $60,000 grant for “an unknown/aspiring genre filmmaker to assist in making their first feature film.”
“Our film has now been rebooted twice, both times were a disappointment from a fan/box office/critical perspective,” they wrote in part. “Neither of these films were made with significant creative input from the original team. As the insiders who created the Blair Witch and have been listening to what fans love & want for 25 years, we’re your single greatest, yet thus-far unutilized secret-weapon!”
The trio’s...
- 4/21/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The stars of The Blair Witch Project are banding together and sharing a public proposal to Lionsgate after the studio partnered with Blumhouse for a reboot.
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams shared a statement asking for retroactive and future residual payments, want “meaningful consultation” on any future Blair Witch projects and also want the studio to start a grant for aspiring filmmakers.
The trio is asking for residuals “for acting services rendered in the original Bwp, equivalent to the sum that would’ve been allotted through SAG-AFTRA, had we had proper union or legal representation when the film was made.”
Donahue, Leonard and Williams want to be consulted “on any future Blair Witch reboot, sequel, prequel, toy, game, ride, escape room, etc… , in which one could reasonably assume that Heather, Michael & Josh’s names and/or likenesses will be associated for promotional purposes in the public sphere.”
“Our...
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams shared a statement asking for retroactive and future residual payments, want “meaningful consultation” on any future Blair Witch projects and also want the studio to start a grant for aspiring filmmakers.
The trio is asking for residuals “for acting services rendered in the original Bwp, equivalent to the sum that would’ve been allotted through SAG-AFTRA, had we had proper union or legal representation when the film was made.”
Donahue, Leonard and Williams want to be consulted “on any future Blair Witch reboot, sequel, prequel, toy, game, ride, escape room, etc… , in which one could reasonably assume that Heather, Michael & Josh’s names and/or likenesses will be associated for promotional purposes in the public sphere.”
“Our...
- 4/21/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams, stars of the seminal horror film “The Blair Witch Project,” released a public letter to Lionsgate on Saturday asking for more robust compensation for their work on the 1999 blockbuster, as well as “meaningful consultation” on any future “Blair Witch” projects that use their names or likenesses.
The statement comes 10 days after Lionsgate and Blumhouse announced they plan to revive the franchise with a new movie that would provide, in the words of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson, “new vision for ‘Blair Witch’ that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.” Lionsgate did not produce or distribute the original 1999 film. It acquired the property through its 2003 buyout of independent film distributor Artisan Entertainment.
The Lionsgate-Blumhouse announcement sparked a strongly worded response via social media from Leonard, who said that no one had contacted him or his costars about the project in advance.
The statement comes 10 days after Lionsgate and Blumhouse announced they plan to revive the franchise with a new movie that would provide, in the words of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson, “new vision for ‘Blair Witch’ that will reintroduce this horror classic for a new generation.” Lionsgate did not produce or distribute the original 1999 film. It acquired the property through its 2003 buyout of independent film distributor Artisan Entertainment.
The Lionsgate-Blumhouse announcement sparked a strongly worded response via social media from Leonard, who said that no one had contacted him or his costars about the project in advance.
- 4/21/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Cosmic horror and VR screams untapped potential. Which is probably why developer Games by Stitch are looking to capitalize on it with Broken Spectre, which was announced to be heading to the Meta Quest on June 21. The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer that debuted at the UploadVR Summer Showcase.
From the mind of Michael Monello, who was producer on The Blair Witch Project, Broken Spectre takes inspiration from the likes of John Carpenter and H.P. Lovecraft. The game puts players in the role of Casey, whose father disappeared twenty-five years ago while hiking into the inhospitable wilderness of the Coldblood Mountain National Park in northern Canada. When Casey discovers he may still be alive, she sets out into the wilds to find the truth. In doing so, she not only uncovers the story of her father’s disappearance, but also horrors involving mutated experiments, gruesome clues, and bizarre cult rituals.
From the mind of Michael Monello, who was producer on The Blair Witch Project, Broken Spectre takes inspiration from the likes of John Carpenter and H.P. Lovecraft. The game puts players in the role of Casey, whose father disappeared twenty-five years ago while hiking into the inhospitable wilderness of the Coldblood Mountain National Park in northern Canada. When Casey discovers he may still be alive, she sets out into the wilds to find the truth. In doing so, she not only uncovers the story of her father’s disappearance, but also horrors involving mutated experiments, gruesome clues, and bizarre cult rituals.
- 6/14/2023
- by Mike Wilson
- bloody-disgusting.com
Shudder has had excellent content offerings for horror fans all month long, and they're not done yet! Today, they officially announced ShudderFest, their virtual event that will take place all day on Halloween! We have the full schedule of virtual events, that include Tony Todd, Robert Englund, a secret screening, and much more!
October 27, 2020 — New York, NY — Staying home for Halloween this year? Fear not: Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, is bringing the holiday to you with ShudderFest, a horror celebration you don’t need to leave the house to attend. This incredible day-long virtual event will feature panels, presentations, conversations and screenings led by legendary genre icons, fan-favorite musicians, and acclaimed directors, writers, and producers, free to all and available anywhere in the world via the shudderfest.com website.
Highlights of the event include a virtual hang with “horror royalty” including genre...
October 27, 2020 — New York, NY — Staying home for Halloween this year? Fear not: Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, is bringing the holiday to you with ShudderFest, a horror celebration you don’t need to leave the house to attend. This incredible day-long virtual event will feature panels, presentations, conversations and screenings led by legendary genre icons, fan-favorite musicians, and acclaimed directors, writers, and producers, free to all and available anywhere in the world via the shudderfest.com website.
Highlights of the event include a virtual hang with “horror royalty” including genre...
- 10/27/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
If you've listened to our Corpse Club podcast or read our previous features on Daily Dead, then you know we're big fans of The Blair Witch Project here on Daily Dead. So we're especially thrilled that the Museum of Pop Culture will host an online watchalong of the classic found footage film this Friday, April 24th, featuring co-director Eduardo Sanchez and producers Gregg Hale and Michael Monello as special guests.
Below, we have official details on The Blair Witch Project watchalong, which will kick off at 7:00pm Pst on April 24th. To learn more and to register, visit:
https://www.mopop.org//programs-plus-education/programs/movies-at-mopop/
"This week on It's Coming from Inside the House!, MoPOP's Horror Film Watch-along: Join Manager of Public Engagement Robert Rutherford for a live-stream discussion and watch-along of found footage horror classic The Blair Witch Project, with special guests co-director Eduardo Sanchez and producers Gregg Hale and Michael Monello.
Below, we have official details on The Blair Witch Project watchalong, which will kick off at 7:00pm Pst on April 24th. To learn more and to register, visit:
https://www.mopop.org//programs-plus-education/programs/movies-at-mopop/
"This week on It's Coming from Inside the House!, MoPOP's Horror Film Watch-along: Join Manager of Public Engagement Robert Rutherford for a live-stream discussion and watch-along of found footage horror classic The Blair Witch Project, with special guests co-director Eduardo Sanchez and producers Gregg Hale and Michael Monello.
- 4/20/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
On August 20th Hollywood's historic Egyptian Theatre hosted a 10th anniversary screening of The Blair Witch Project followed by a Q&A with several members of the film's cast and crew. Of course Dread Central was there, camera in-hand, to record the auspicious occasion.
Taking part in the evening's festivities were co-writer and co-director Dan Myrick, cast members Joshua Leonard and Heather Donahue, production designer Ben Rock, and producers Robin Cowie and Michael Monello. On its surface the film told the story of three student filmmakers who in October of 1994 disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary...A year later their footage was found. But it was so much more than that. It was lightning in a bottle that, through a viral marketing campaign that will probably never be duplicated, set the standard for the cinéma-vérité experience.
Check out the video below, and keep it here for updates on what Dan,...
Taking part in the evening's festivities were co-writer and co-director Dan Myrick, cast members Joshua Leonard and Heather Donahue, production designer Ben Rock, and producers Robin Cowie and Michael Monello. On its surface the film told the story of three student filmmakers who in October of 1994 disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary...A year later their footage was found. But it was so much more than that. It was lightning in a bottle that, through a viral marketing campaign that will probably never be duplicated, set the standard for the cinéma-vérité experience.
Check out the video below, and keep it here for updates on what Dan,...
- 8/24/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
"The Blair Witch Project" is the cinematic equivalent of the Abominable Snowman. This low-budget, indie horror film arrives with considerable hype, sterling Sundance credentials and even its own Web site. But the viewer never glimpses anything more than the shadow of a clever movie.
"Blair Witch" underscores the Sundance phenomenon whereby films win hearty acclaim from the festival's audiences and sometimes garner big sales (this film was the first acquisition at January's festival) only to disappoint outside the snowy confines of Park City, Utah. Lacking the terror to satisfy horror buffs and the artistic razzle-dazzle to intrigue serious filmgoers, the Artisan release appears to have limited theatrical prospects, though it may gain a few fans on video.
Certainly the movie possesses a great gimmick. But the young filmmakers from central Florida who dreamed the idea up -- writer-directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez and producers Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie and Michael Monello -- lacked the ingenuity to fully exploit its potential.
"Blair Witch" takes the guise of a documentary. Shot in 16mm and High-8 video, the film purports to be the firsthand account of three student documentarians who venture into Maryland's remote Black Hills to investigate the legend of a witch that has plagued the community for 200 years. After the trio mysteriously vanishes, their footage is discovered a year later and edited together to present a picture of their final days.
In the early going, as the trio interviews locals about the myth of the evil witch and good-naturedly bitch about conditions, the film pokes fun at documentary traditions. But as the students get good and lost in the woods and panic sets in, everything unravels for the documentary's director Heather (Heather Donahue), her cameraman Josh (Joshua Leonard) and soundman Mike (Michael Williams). Their map is missing and someone -- or something -- is harassing them.
Myrick and Sanchez chose an experimental means of capturing these events. They gave the three actors a crash course in filmmaking so that the thespians film the entire movie with two cameras; thus, everything in the movie is seen from their point of view.
The actors were also asked to improvise the entire movie without a director on the set. They hiked to predetermined points where they received written instructions, all the while enduring intimidating noises and receiving less and less food each day.
The Screen Actors Guild would undoubtedly frown upon such a work schedule. But the method proves equally as unsound artistically. It takes a fairly experienced actor to improv for even one scene much less an entire movie. Here the actors' increasingly frantic behavior may stem less from food and sleep deprivation than from the strain of trying to create believable characters during eight days of nonstop improvisation.
Dialogue consists mostly of four-letter expletives. The endless repetition of these words grows as wearisome on the ear as the jerky, home-movie camera work wears down the eye.
The spookiness of what is happening to the characters is virtually lost amid the tedious camera work and one-note acting. All of which is a shame given the film's potential for fun and genuine scares.
Movies without scripts seldom work; the metaphor of being lost in a wilderness without a map proves all too apt in this instance.
These young filmmakers, who collectively call themselves Haxan Films, deserve an A for effort and a B for cleverness but, unfortunately, a D for drama.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Artisan Entertainment
Haxan Films
Producers:Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie
Co-producer:Michael Monello
Writer-director-editors:Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez
Executive producers:Bob Eick, Kevin J. Foxe
Director of photography:Neal Fredericks
Production designer:Ben Rock
Art director:Ricardo R. Moreno
Music:Tony Cora
Color, black and white/stereo
Cast: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael Williams
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
"Blair Witch" underscores the Sundance phenomenon whereby films win hearty acclaim from the festival's audiences and sometimes garner big sales (this film was the first acquisition at January's festival) only to disappoint outside the snowy confines of Park City, Utah. Lacking the terror to satisfy horror buffs and the artistic razzle-dazzle to intrigue serious filmgoers, the Artisan release appears to have limited theatrical prospects, though it may gain a few fans on video.
Certainly the movie possesses a great gimmick. But the young filmmakers from central Florida who dreamed the idea up -- writer-directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez and producers Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie and Michael Monello -- lacked the ingenuity to fully exploit its potential.
"Blair Witch" takes the guise of a documentary. Shot in 16mm and High-8 video, the film purports to be the firsthand account of three student documentarians who venture into Maryland's remote Black Hills to investigate the legend of a witch that has plagued the community for 200 years. After the trio mysteriously vanishes, their footage is discovered a year later and edited together to present a picture of their final days.
In the early going, as the trio interviews locals about the myth of the evil witch and good-naturedly bitch about conditions, the film pokes fun at documentary traditions. But as the students get good and lost in the woods and panic sets in, everything unravels for the documentary's director Heather (Heather Donahue), her cameraman Josh (Joshua Leonard) and soundman Mike (Michael Williams). Their map is missing and someone -- or something -- is harassing them.
Myrick and Sanchez chose an experimental means of capturing these events. They gave the three actors a crash course in filmmaking so that the thespians film the entire movie with two cameras; thus, everything in the movie is seen from their point of view.
The actors were also asked to improvise the entire movie without a director on the set. They hiked to predetermined points where they received written instructions, all the while enduring intimidating noises and receiving less and less food each day.
The Screen Actors Guild would undoubtedly frown upon such a work schedule. But the method proves equally as unsound artistically. It takes a fairly experienced actor to improv for even one scene much less an entire movie. Here the actors' increasingly frantic behavior may stem less from food and sleep deprivation than from the strain of trying to create believable characters during eight days of nonstop improvisation.
Dialogue consists mostly of four-letter expletives. The endless repetition of these words grows as wearisome on the ear as the jerky, home-movie camera work wears down the eye.
The spookiness of what is happening to the characters is virtually lost amid the tedious camera work and one-note acting. All of which is a shame given the film's potential for fun and genuine scares.
Movies without scripts seldom work; the metaphor of being lost in a wilderness without a map proves all too apt in this instance.
These young filmmakers, who collectively call themselves Haxan Films, deserve an A for effort and a B for cleverness but, unfortunately, a D for drama.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Artisan Entertainment
Haxan Films
Producers:Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie
Co-producer:Michael Monello
Writer-director-editors:Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez
Executive producers:Bob Eick, Kevin J. Foxe
Director of photography:Neal Fredericks
Production designer:Ben Rock
Art director:Ricardo R. Moreno
Music:Tony Cora
Color, black and white/stereo
Cast: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael Williams
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
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