Odeon - win tickets

25 November 2009

A FILM which promises to make you too scared to go to bed at night might put anyone but the most hardened horror fan off going to the cinema this week.

Paranormal Activity (15) has been much hyped in America for scaring the bejesus out of audiences in much the same way The Blair Witch Project put people off camping in the woods, Psycho stopped folk stepping into a shower and Jaws and Open Water kept bathers firmly on dry land.

Horror began at home for writer/director Oren Peli, who filmed scenes in the bedroom of his suburban house over a seven-day stint in 2006.

Using only a crew of three, which included Toni Taylor who was Peli's then-girlfriend, and Amir Zbeda, one of the film maker's best friends, the plot is based on Peli's real-life experience of moving into a new home, listening to things that go bump in the night.

The Israeli director, who left school at 16 to start his own software company before designing animation and video game programmes, apparently considered not making the film unless he found suitable actors who could improvise the background to the characters.

At a marathon Hollywood casting session which yielded 150 aspirants, Peli discovered Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, the only actors who could explain why their house was haunted.

After finding his leading couple Peli and Taylor set about making home improvements and added wood flooring, hung some pictures on the walls and rearranged their bedroom.

They even constructed a Ouija board that plays a central role in the narrative.

The story tells of a young, middle class couple who move into what seems like a typical suburban starter home and become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is most active in the middle of the night, especially when they try to sleep.

Most of the footage is shown through the eyes of the male character, named after the actor who plays him, after he sets up a video camera on a tripod in an effort to capture footage of their tormentor.

Subtle effects are used with little blood - the terror and suspense left up to the imagination of the audience, a la 'Blair Witch'.

The publicity boasts that the after the film's first screening viewers who were a variety of ages, approached Peli telling him they could not sleep since they saw it and among them was the soon-to-be producer, Steven Schneider.

The only way to find out for sure will be to check it out at the Odeon yourself - unless you are already an insomniac that is.

* The Weston and Somerset Mercury has teamed up with the Odeon to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to see a film of their choice, subject to availability.

To enter the competition, simply answer the following question: Where is Paranormal Activity set?

Send your answer on a postcard, along with your name, address and telephone number to: Paranormal Activity Odeon Competition, Weston & Somerset Mercury, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LW, or alternatively, log onto www.westonmercury.co.uk by 10am on December 4 .

Usual Archant Rules apply and the editor's decision is final. Please check availability with Weston Odeon box office before arriving with your winning tickets.