Bigfoot in Film: The Patterson-Gimlin Influence on 'Exists'

Have you heard about the fascinating journey of Eduardo Sanchez, co-director of the groundbreaking film, The Blair Witch Project, and his long-standing dream of creating a Bigfoot-focused project? Recently, I came across a video from the YouTube channel GoodBadFlicks that delves into the evolution of Sanchez's vision, from his childhood fascination with Bigfoot to the eventual release of his 2014 film, Exists. As a Bigfoot enthusiast, I was thrilled to learn about the influence of the 1972 film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, on Sanchez's perspective of the elusive creature. The mockumentary-style movie left a significant impact on him, shaping his desire to create a more authentic and engaging Bigfoot narrative. Sanchez initially planned to make a found-footage film about Bigfoot with his Blair Witch collaborator, Daniel Myrick. However, they later decided to switch gears and create the now-iconic The Blair Witch Project instead. After the success of Blair Witch, both directors ventured into different genres, but Sanchez never lost his passion for bringing a unique Bigfoot story to life. The video also highlights the role of writer Jamie Nash, who grew up in the 80s, inspired by classic films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, and RoboCop, as well as '80s horror. Nash's connection with Sanchez led to their collaboration on Exists, a project that had been in development for years before finally coming to fruition. Exists tells the story of a group of kids who inadvertently anger a very aggressive Bigfoot while staying at their uncle's cabin in the woods. The film features a highly believable monster, thanks to the efforts of practical creature design company Spectral Motion and the talented Brian Steele, who portrayed the Bigfoot in the suit. The video from GoodBadFlicks offers a captivating look at the journey behind Exists, and I wholeheartedly recommend watching it to learn more about Sanchez's lifelong pursuit of creating a compelling Bigfoot film. The video serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the mysterious creature and the passion of filmmakers who strive to bring its story to life.