Exclusive: Oren Peli on the Digital Release of Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (review) is the sixth and final installment of the wildly popular series – it came out on October 23 in 3D and will soon be making its way into your living room.
We caught up with the creator of the series, Oren Peli, recently, and here’s what he had to say about the success of the Paranormal Activity series as well as what’s coming up next for him.
Dread Central: We were at the premiere of Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension at Screamfest L.A., and the place was packed with horror fans! What are some of your impressions from that night, and how is Screamfest different from doing a “typical” red carpet premiere?
Oren Peli: That night, and the prior night when we had a screening of the original Paranormal Activity, were quite special. The world premiere of Paranormal Activity in 2007 was at Screamfest so the whole experience was surreal; to think that from that humble beginning back then, we’re now premiering the sixth installment at the same festival is kinda nutty! Screamfest definitely has a different vibe than other festivals. Although it’s highly regarded, it has a down-to-earth feel and a very passionate following of horror fans.
DC: Everyone sets out to make their first movie in hopes that it will be a success, but was this amazing response to Paranormal Activity and the franchise something you specifically worked to make happen, or was it an organic response to fans’ demand?
OP: While I can take credit for creating Paranormal Activity, the marketing campaign was all Paramount. Specifically, it was the interactive marketing group that came up with all the ideas for Demand It, the limited screenings, etc. They thought that this would be a great way for fans to discover the movie and have a sense of ownership.
DC: You are always branching out; aside from ghosts, you’ve also recently tackled aliens in Area 51, which you also directed… since it’s the first feature you’ve directed since Paranormal Activity, can you talk a little bit about how your directing style has evolved over the years, and whether or not you think you’ll always want to tell supernatural stories?
OP: We started filming Area 51 in 2009 before Paranormal Activity was released, and then we shot it again in 2011. My original intention was to use the same formula and style that I used in the original Paranormal Activity, but for various reasons that proved impossible. As for the second part of your question… although I never discuss future projects specifically, I can say that I’m definitely not limiting myself to supernatural or horror.
DC: Since you’re fond of tackling the supernatural, I’ve got ask… Do you believe?
OP: I am a skeptic, so personally I don’t believe in the supernatural. I believe that everything has a rational and logical explanation. However, it can still be scary even if you don’t believe in it!
Look for Gregory Plotkin’s Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension on VOD beginning today. Olivia Taylor Dudley, Chloe Csengery, Maria Olsen, Brit Shaw, Aiden Lovekamp, Jessica Tyler Brown, Ivy George, Chris J. Murray, Nathan Brewer, and Michael Krawic star.
For more info “like” Paranormal Activity on Facebook, follow @TweetYourScream on Twitter, subscribe to Paranormal Activity on YouTube, and check out Paranormal Activity on Instagram.
Synopsis:
The Ghost Dimension follows a new family, The Fleeges – father Ryan (Chris J. Murray), mother Emily (Brit Shaw), and their young daughter, Leila (Ivy George) – who move into a house and discover a video camera and a box of tapes in the garage. When they look through the camera’s lens, they begin to see the paranormal activity happening around them – including the re-emergence of young Kristi and Katie.
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