The film starts off really strong, capturing the found-footage feel. This is definitely worth 13 mins of your time. Don't be fooled, thinking this is an excerpt from a longer film as it is definitely short. Despite some actor performance issues, the pacing of the film keeps you engaged and interested in what's happening to the characters involved. Overall the film is well done and the only thing I wish was that it was longer.
7 Reviews
Too many flaws mar the fun
Armin_Nikkhah_Shirazi16 July 2023
CAMPING FUN is a found footage horror short film that follows a group of two couples on what is actually a trip to an abandoned house inherited by one of them. Once there, conflict ensues in the group, and danger rises from outside.
Setting aside that the group did not go on a camping trip, this could have been fun. Unfortunately, the movie manages to stuff several flaws in its short 13 minute running time.
Most annoying to me was the excessive shaky cam. I accept some shaky cam as either a plot device or more generally to add to the vicarious experience, but here it was way, way too much. When it affects even scenes for which there should have been no reason for the camera to shake, the contrivance becomes definitely an annoyance.
Then there was the contrived conflict in the group. Better dialogue would have rendered more plausible how an exchange goes from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds. Also, constant yelling is almost guaranteed to render the characters unlikable, which in this case it did for me.
The story is exactly the kind in which building atmosphere plays an important part, but the pacing was too fast to properly build up atmosphere. In fact, several parts the film felt positively rushed. Also the exposition of the background story was perfunctory. Ironically, there is a scene in which the characters discuss a painting that could have been an ideal atmosphere builder/background story setter, but that opportunity was squandered.
All in all, even though I like found footage films a lot, this one did not do it for me.
Setting aside that the group did not go on a camping trip, this could have been fun. Unfortunately, the movie manages to stuff several flaws in its short 13 minute running time.
Most annoying to me was the excessive shaky cam. I accept some shaky cam as either a plot device or more generally to add to the vicarious experience, but here it was way, way too much. When it affects even scenes for which there should have been no reason for the camera to shake, the contrivance becomes definitely an annoyance.
Then there was the contrived conflict in the group. Better dialogue would have rendered more plausible how an exchange goes from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds. Also, constant yelling is almost guaranteed to render the characters unlikable, which in this case it did for me.
The story is exactly the kind in which building atmosphere plays an important part, but the pacing was too fast to properly build up atmosphere. In fact, several parts the film felt positively rushed. Also the exposition of the background story was perfunctory. Ironically, there is a scene in which the characters discuss a painting that could have been an ideal atmosphere builder/background story setter, but that opportunity was squandered.
All in all, even though I like found footage films a lot, this one did not do it for me.
A short found footage film with a great concept!
freddydominguez-4441715 February 2021
For a short film, I believe clocking in around 13-14mns on YouTube for free it's not bad, there definitely can be a story expanded here.
Follows four friends and they take a trip to a friend's old home but are soon in for a surprise. I'm trying to be vague cause it's a very short found footage style film that I'd still not rather spoil, the camera work is what it needs to be for this style of filmmaking and I did feel immerse from beginning to end.
My biggest complaint...would be to say it needs to be longer! Hoping this gets made intona feature. Would love to see either a back story on the main girl or just more incidents involving her, overall if you're into the found footage subgenre then this should be entertaining for you!
Follows four friends and they take a trip to a friend's old home but are soon in for a surprise. I'm trying to be vague cause it's a very short found footage style film that I'd still not rather spoil, the camera work is what it needs to be for this style of filmmaking and I did feel immerse from beginning to end.
My biggest complaint...would be to say it needs to be longer! Hoping this gets made intona feature. Would love to see either a back story on the main girl or just more incidents involving her, overall if you're into the found footage subgenre then this should be entertaining for you!
A very short and rewarding film!
mosesaxels15 September 2020
I love found footage style horror and this short film hit the nail on the head! The acting by all the actors was phenomenal and the scenes felt like they really were a group of friends on a camping trip gone wrong. The camera work showed just the right angles without a ton of editing to make it seem very realistic. I enjoyed it very much!
Awesome short
llanashine723 January 2021
Camping Fun is a beautifully executed short. The film accomplishes so much in 15 minutes, and it's done so well. Right from the beginning, I felt an attachment to the characters. The acting was genuine. I got literal chills during a scene where a person wearing white runs across a field at dusk. Totally creeped me out!!!
Enjoyable short
Malbro2419 June 2021
An amazing found footage experience
ksbarcafani2 December 2020
A great short film made in a way that is generally really difficult to do. It is extremely exciting and the suspense is thrilling, and the actors are all amazing. This type of "Found Footage" stuff is usually a bit cringy and hard to make, but Thomas excelled at it and made one of the best horror shorts I have ever seen. GREAT JOB
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