The Last Broadcast (1998)

Bristling with equipment, two enthusiastic local access cable TV producers recruit an assistant and venture into a forest in search of the mythical and horrifying Jersey Devil. Days later, ... See full summary »

Directors:

Stefan Avalos, Lance Weiler

Writers:

Stefan Avalos, Lance Weiler

Stars:

David Beard, Jim Seward, Stefan Avalos

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Beard	...	David Leigh, The Filmmaker
Jim Seward	...	Jim Suerd - The Accused
Stefan Avalos	...	Steven Avkast - 'Fact or Fiction' Host
Lance Weiler	...	Locus Wheeler - 'Fact or Fiction' Host
Rein Clabbers	...	Rein Clackin, Paranormal Sound Man
Michele Pulaski	...	Michelle Monarch - Data Retrieval Expert
Tom Brunt	...	Tom Branski - Technical Director of 'Fact or Fiction'
Mark Rublee	...	Clair Deforest - Editor for the Prosecution
A.D. Roso	...	Anthony Rosi - Lead Investigator of Murders
Dale Worstall	...	Dr. Dale Orstall, Jim's Child Psychologist
Vann K. Weller	...	Dr. Vann Waller - Forensic Pathologist
Sam Wells	...	Sam Woods - Television Soap Director
Jay MacDonald	...	Jay McDowell, Web Designer
Faith Weiler	...	Joyce Dryer, Jim's Landlady
Marianne Connor	...	Mary Brenner, TV Reporter

Storyline

Bristling with equipment, two enthusiastic local access cable TV producers recruit an assistant and venture into a forest in search of the mythical and horrifying Jersey Devil. Days later, only one of the trio emerges. He becomes the prime suspect in the disappearances of the other two. However, a local filmmaker examines extensive footage found at the scene and arrives at a different conclusion.

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Plot Keywords:

jersey devil | live broadcast | internet | filmmaker | microphone | 

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Taglines:

makes 'BLAIR WITCH' look like a school project!

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

FFM Productions Yahoo! Clubs group

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jersey Devil Project

Box Office

Budget:

$900 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

FFM Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The premiere screening was released digitally to cinemas across the U.S. via satellite and shown using Texas Instruments' DLP digital cinema projectors.

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Crazy Credits

The story and characters depicted in this movie are entirely fictitious. But please don't tell anyone.

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Connections

Featured in Cinemassacre's Monster Madness: Halloween: Resurrection (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Little Sadie"
Performed by James Seward

User Reviews

Worth a watch!

After reading some the of the reviews, I am definitely going to revisit this film, as I first saw this when it was released to VHS in 1999 (?)

Obviously there are a lot of comparisons to this and Blair witch - due to the similarities to the supernatural, the hand-held footage, and being a mockumentary, but I would ask people who have yet to see this to remove the 2 completely.

Unlike Blair witch, this comes across more as a documentary and has more eerie moments rather than a lot of shock and scare scenes of other similar horror/thrillers. The acting is good and believable pretty much throughout, with good contributions from the host, the camera-men/cable show hosts and also the 'expert' roles. I think that is where a lot of mockumentaries fall down, is getting the balance between conveying empathy and emotion successfully enough and without being hammy - and the balance here is just right. It's cleverly written and the supporting background information to the story adds to the believability and genuine feel to the film instead of detracting away from the more suspenseful parts. I would not be surprised if elements were improvised - which I feel works a whole lot better in these type of films. Sometimes in films, you get the most organic and natural scenes when you just throw a couple of people together in the wilderness!

I won't spoil the ending, but a notice a few others have commented how they dislike the ending and how the feel of the film changes. There is a change of pace and feel that does not necessary fit with the preceding scenes, but once you get to the end and understand, you'll see that this is necessary and integral to the plot. I can only assume these people were also the ones who didn't like the ending to paranormal activity, as it just didn't hand them the ending they wanted on a plate. So be warned, if you like your endings what I would term as 'hollywood' where everything fits together nicely and everyone lives happily ever after, you probably will end up feeling a bit let down and short-changed.

However, if you are like me, and a fan of the mockumentary/horror sub-genre, this is definitely worth your time in viewing, it's a great example of how these kind of films can install emotions and feelings where other stabby-stabby horrors just don't hit the spot.