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Viral Short Film Lights Up Hollywood Blockbuster
25 Oct
Summary
- A two-and-a-half-minute horror short gained global appeal without dialogue.
- The short film was transformed into a feature film grossing $148 million.
- Filmmaker advises creators to persist, as success can be unpredictable.
Ten years ago, Swedish director David F. Sandberg's horror short, 'Lights Out,' went viral, leading to a successful feature film adaptation by New Line.
The original two-and-a-half-minute film, starring Sandberg's wife Lotta Losten, relied on visual storytelling and minimal dialogue, contributing to its international reach.
After gaining massive online attention through Reddit, the short caught the eye of producers, resulting in a collaboration with James Wan and screenwriter Eric Heisserer.
The feature film, released on July 22, 2016, with Teresa Palmer in the lead role, achieved remarkable success, earning $148 million worldwide against a $4 million budget.
Sandberg, who later directed 'Shazam!', advises aspiring filmmakers to stay persistent, emphasizing that unpredictable projects like 'Lights Out' can achieve significant success.
