What Unique Filmmaking Technique Was Used in “The Blair Witch Project”?

One of the most unique aspects of “The Blair Witch Project,” released in 1999, is its innovative use of a documentary-style filming technique that contributed to its raw and unsettling atmosphere. The filmmakers, Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, employed a "found footage" method, in which the actors were given minimal direction and were placed in real, immersive situations that heightened their genuine fear and anxiety. This approach blurred the lines between reality and fiction, making audiences question whether they were watching a real documentary about a paranormal investigation or a scripted horror film. The film’s marketing strategy, which emphasized the idea that the footage was actual evidence of the characters' disappearance, further amplified its chilling effect and led to a revolutionary shift in the horror genre and independent filmmaking. This technique not only garnered significant box office success but also inspired a wave of similar films in the following decades.