Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains

For all you Blair Witch fans out there, if you haven't done so already, it's definitely worth checking out official site, woodsmovie.com for all kinds of behind the scenes info on the surprise hit movie from 1999. It's hard to believe The Blair Witch Project was released over ten years ago. Talk about ahead of its time - Internet marketed, digitally shot and edited, reality-driven performances... The list of comparative modern production techniques is practically endless. With rumours surrounding a potential third installment in the series still going strong, and with a sequel to Paranormal Activity also said to be hurtling towards production, it looks like the Reality Horror sub-genre may soon be making a bit of an exciting and much-deserved comeback... WARNING: The following video contains adult content... kind-of.

It's all go this week, isn't it? This morning, on the Jonathan Ross Radio Show for BBC Radio 2, guests Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman could be heard discussing their new stage production, Ghost Stories , and similar works including, Ghostwatch ! You can check out a short excerpt from the show by clicking play below.

Man, as if last night's mention on The Bubble wasn't enough... Earlier today, Bella Battle, writing for the website of British tabloid The Sun, posted an interesting article discussing some of the 'most shocking telly stunts' of all time. And wouldn't you know it, alongside illusionist Derren Brown , and escapologist Jonathan Goodwin , we find not only an entry for Ghostwatch , but also a welcome plug for Behind the Curtains ! Speaking of which, now might be a good time to mention that a Behind the Curtains podcast might be arriving some time in the near future, so as always, thanks for the support and be sure to stay tuned for updates!

Anyone catch last night's The Bubble on BBC Two? If not, you missed yet another nostalgic trip down memory lane as the David Mitchell-hosted comedy quiz briefly ventured back into the Glory Hole to discuss everyone's favourite Hallowe'en Hoax. Kudos to panelists, Josie Long, Tim Key and Katy Brand for mentioning the show - despite getting host, Michael Parkinson confused with Michael Aspel..! (perhaps because Aspel hosted the equally spooky, Strange But True? the following year for ITV).

Remember that huge, blockbusting, worldwide smash-hit, Paranormal Activity we reported on back in 2009? Well, look who's listed in the DVD credits... ;) How cool is that? And following on from our last post, here's a great Ghostwatch review written by Ian Berriman for SFX magazine to coincide with the original BFI DVD release in 2002.  

Faking It: Ghostwatch 10 Years On "Ten years ago, the BBC's transmission of Ghostwatch on Halloween Night, 1992, terrified the nati on... as well as raising some important issues about television's relationship with its audience. To coincide with its release for the first time on DVD and video, Stephen Volk, the writer of the notorious TV drama, looks back at its origin and its un expected aftermath. Additional material by David Sutton." ...Begins a six-page article for Fortean Times magazine, published January, 2003. Featuring a collection of writer/creator Stephen Volk's thoughts and memories of the film , accompanied by some detailed post-broadcast analysis and references by David Sutton, the article can very much be considered a follow up to the '93 FT issue. As before, extensive cross-referencing to the true-life Enfield Poltergeist case can be found, this time, on page 39. A competition to win a brand-new BFI DVD (now, very much a collector...

At long last, here's the short Ghostwatch segment from the BBC opinions show, Points of View , originally broadcast, 4/11/92, and presented by Anne Robinson . Just in case you weren't already aware, it's worth mentioning that also available to view elsewhere on Youtube is the edition of Biteback where producers, Ruth Baumgarten and Richard Broke discuss the show at length with an audience of eager 'fans'... Merry Xmas 2009, Ghostwatchers, and once again, thank-you for the support!