A shot-on-video (SOV) film, [1] [2] also known as a shot-on-VHS film [3] [4] or a camcorder film, [2] is a film shot using camcorders and consumer-grade equipment, as opposed to film stock or high-end digital movie cameras.
A shot-on-video (SOV) film, [1] [2] also known as a shot-on-VHS film [3] [4] or a camcorder film, [2] is a film shot using camcorders and consumer-grade equipment, as opposed to film stock or high-end digital movie cameras.
Shot-on-video films emerged in the wake of the release of Sony's professional-grade Betacam and consumer-grade Betamovie camcorders in 1983. [5] [6] Many shot-on-video films were low-budget [7] and belong to the horror genre. Filmmaker siblings the Polonia brothers were known for their shot-on-video horror films, such as Splatter Farm (1987) and Feeders (1996). [2] [6]
The scenes in Bill Gunn's 1980 film Personal Problems were shot using a videocassette recorder which was a new technology at the time (as most previous films were shot using film stock). [8]
The 1994 documentary film Hoop Dreams [9] was one of the first shot-on-video documentaries to receive a wide theatrical release. [10] The 1999 film The Blair Witch Project was shot on both 16 mm film and the consumer-grade Hi8 video format, which was transferred to film for its national theatrical release. [10] An international example is Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier's minimalist film The Idiots (1998; aka Dogme #2). [6]
Both Tongues Untied and Hoop Dreams are inducted into the National Film Registry. [48]
Possibly in Michigan first gained notoriety on social media in 2015, and has gained popularity among Gen Z teens. [49] [50]
Some SOV films like Feeders, Things (later to be known as one of the worst movies of all time) and Rollergator were spoofed by RiffTrax, consisting of former Mystery Science Theater 3000 alumni Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett and Michael J. Nelson. [51] [52]
Videotape is magnetic tape used for storing video and usually sound in addition. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal. Videotape is used in both video tape recorders (VTRs) and, more commonly, videocassette recorders (VCRs) and camcorders. Videotapes have also been used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram.
Betacam is a family of half-inch professional videocassette products developed by Sony in 1982. In colloquial use, Betacam singly is often used to refer to a Betacam camcorder, a Betacam tape, a Betacam video recorder or the format itself.
Twisted Issues is a 1988 splatter film billed as a 'psycho-punk splatter-comedy'. It featured Gainesville, Florida punk bands such as Psychic Violents, Young Pioneers, Mutley Chix, Doldrums, Just Demigods, Cindy Brady's Lisp, Officer Friendly, and the Smegmas, as well as local speed metal band Hellwitch and avantgarde incidental music by The Bill Perry Orchestra. Director Charles Pinion went on to make several other underground movies.
Something Weird Video is an American film distributor company based in Seattle, Washington. They specialize in exploitation B to Z films, particularly the works of Harry Novak, Doris Wishman, David F. Friedman and Herschell Gordon Lewis.
Unhinged is a 1982 American slasher film directed by Don Gronquist, written by Gronquist and Reagan Ramsey, and starring Laurel Munson, Janet Penner, and Sara Ansley. The film follows three young women who, after suffering a car accident, are taken in by a mysterious family at their rural Pacific Northwest mansion, where they are subsequently stalked by a violent murderer.
Galaxy Invader is a 1985 American direct-to-video science fiction film directed and co-written by Baltimore filmmaker Don Dohler. The film's plot centers on an alien who is pursued by hillbillies after his spaceship crash-lands on Earth. The cast is made of entirely non-professional actors, mainly friends and family of Dohler.
Demented Death Farm Massacre is a 1971 horror film directed by Fred Olen Ray and Donn Davison and features John Carradine as 'the Judge of Hell', who narrates the story.
Death Bed: The Bed That Eats is a 1977 American surrealist folk horror film written, produced, and directed by George Barry in his only feature film, and starring Demene Hall, William Russ, Julie Ritter, and Dave Marsh. The plot centers on a demon-possessed bed that is passed on through generations, bringing tragedy upon those who come across it.
Woodchipper Massacre is a 1988 American horror comedy Z movie written and directed by Jon McBride, who also directed Cannibal Campout, released that same year. The film was shot-on-video in Connecticut.
Twin brothers and filmmakers Mark Polonia and John Polonia founded Polonia Bros Entertainment and Cinegraphic Productions. Between them they have written, directed and produced over 40 feature films, often shot-on-video and mostly in the horror and science fiction genres, making them low-budget or even no-budget film cult icons.
Feeders is a 1996 American science fiction horror film written and directed by John and Mark Polonia and Jon McBride. A shot-on-video (SOV) film made on a low budget of $500, Feeders follows two friends, Derek (McBride) and Bennett, on a road trip; while travelling through Pennsylvania, the duo encounter small extraterrestrials who have landed on Earth in order to hunt and eat humans.
Video Violence, also known as Video Violence... When Renting is Not Enough, is a 1987 American horror film directed by Gary Cohen and starring Gary Schwartz and Chick Kaplan. The film was shot entirely on a VHS camcorder.
Boardinghouse is a 1982 American supernatural slasher film directed, written by, and starring musician John Wintergate. Its plot follows a group of aspiring actresses and models who begin to die mysteriously in a Los Angeles boarding house, which was once the site of a series of bizarre deaths. It carries the distinction of being the first horror film to be shot-on-video.
The Redeemer, also known as The Redeemer... Son of Satan! and Class Reunion Massacre, is a 1978 American horror film directed by Constantine S. Gochis. It follows a group of people trapped inside their high school during a ten-year reunion who are being killed off by a mysterious killer known as The Redeemer.
Tales from the QuadeaD Zone is a 1987 American anthology blaxploitation horror film written, directed, and produced by Chester Novell Turner. The film was originally released straight to VHS. VHS copies of the film have become collector's items due to the difficulty of locating them and the extremely limited quantities produced, with one copy selling for $2000 on eBay.
Attack of the Beast Creatures is a 1985 American independent horror film produced, and directed by Michael Stanley. It stars Robert Nolfi, Julia Rust, Robert Lengyel, Lisa Pak, and Frank Murgalo. The film centers on a group of survivors who wash up on the shores of a seemingly deserted island in 1920, after their ship capsizes. While there, it slowly becomes apparent that the island is home to a tribe of small doll-like creatures, who begin stalking and killing the survivors one by one.
Ogroff, also known as Mad Mutilator is a 1983 French slasher film written, directed by, and starring Norbert Moutier and Howard Vernon. Its plot follows an isolated backwoods lumberjack who attacks and murders people passing through his woods.
Blood Shack is a 1971 American horror film written and directed by Ray Dennis Steckler, and starring Steckler's then-wife Carolyn Brandt alongside Ron Haydock.
Ozone is a 1993 American independent horror film written, produced, and directed by J. R. Bookwalter. The film stars James R. Black, Tom Hoover, James L. Edwards, Bill Morrison, and Mary Jackson.
Empire of the Dark is a 1991 American fantasy action horror film written, co-produced, directed and edited by Steve Barkett, who also stars in the film. Barkett plays Richard, an ex-police officer who seeks to avenge the apparent death of his former lover, whom he witnessed be ritually sacrificed two decades prior by Satan worshipper Arkham after entering a portal to Hell.