Random Facts About Making Of 'Paranormal Activity' Most People Don't Know About (15 items)

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  (#6) Peli Filmed Three Different Endings

  Peli filmed three different endings for Paranormal Activity. A theatrical, original, and alternate ending all exist. Spielberg was one of the studio executives who wanted a different ending from the one Peli wrote. Each ending features a totally different climax for the film's lead characters. Peli also had a fourth ending in mind, but it was deemed too complicated and cruel to warrant filming.
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  (#10) There Is Virtually No Blood Or Gore In The Movie

  Though Paranormal Activity is horrifying to watch, it doesn't contain much blood or gore. There is no boogieman like Michael Myers or slasher like Freddy Krueger. Peli's horror movie is terrifying because of what the viewer doesn't see. As Peli explained:

  I really love movies like The Others and The Sixth Sense, too. Movies that are subtle, not so over-the-top, or gory. I like atmosphere and slow plot build.
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  (#14) Sundance Rejected 'Paranormal Activity'

  When Peli finished making his movie, he didn't possess the Hollywood know-how to take the next step in finding distribution and backing. He entered the film in a few festivals, hoping to generate buzz and studio interest. Peli even submitted his movie to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, but it was rejected.

  Paranormal Activity did make the cut at the 2007 Screamfest Horror Film Festival. There, it impressed agents from Creative Artists Agency, who signed Peli as a client. CAA sent out copies of the movie to perspective studios, and it eventually found its way into the hands of Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks.

   
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  (#4) Peli Had Absolutely No Film Production Experience

  Exactly 10 years ago was one of the most important & nerve-wrecking days of my life - world premier of Paranormal Activity at Screamfest. pic.twitter.com/ZrmbJLUKbr

  — Oren Peli (@Oren_Peli) October 14, 2017

  Paranormal Activity didn't just mark Peli's debut behind the camera for a feature film - it was his first time doing anything cinematic at all. The software programmer never even directed a short, and lacked any experience in movie production. Still, Peli knew he had a good premise for a horror movie. He gathered a group of friends, came up with $15,000, and hired some actors. The entire shoot lasted just seven days and took place at the director's house in San Diego.

  Peli's only other directing credit came in 2015 with the horror movie Area 51. He now has several writing and producing credits to his name, though.
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  (#2) DreamWorks Planned To Remake Peli's Original Cut

  Paranormal Activity was purchased by DreamWorks in 2007. The studio planned for the raw, low-budget movie to get remade with a bigger budget and Peli still behind the camera. When the studio screened the horror flick for a test audience to attract perspective screenwriters to the project, though, they changed their mind.

  In the middle of the screening, several audience members left. But it wasn't because of boredom or dislike for the film; they were too scared to stay. Based on those reactions, the studio opted to not re-shoot the movie, but use Peli's original film with a few alterations - including a new ending.
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  (#5) Spielberg Reportedly Believed He Possessed A Haunted Copy Of 'Paranormal Activity'

  A well-told urban legend states Steven Spielberg believed his DVD copy of Paranormal Activity was haunted. Spielberg and his company, DreamWorks, were trying to decide whether to back Paranormal Activity. The popular tale claims Spielberg brought home a DVD copy of the horror film. While he was watching the movie, the door to his bedroom shut and locked from the inside. The director wound up needing to call a locksmith.

  Spielberg put the copy of the movie in a garbage bag, because he was so freaked out he didn't want to touch it. He then brought it to the DreamWorks office. Despite his terror - or perhaps because of it - he backed the movie and helped the project move forward.

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