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On the surface, Earth to Echo feels like a modern day hybrid between E.T., The Explorers, and Goonies, films that defined the 80’s and my childhood. Directed by Dave Green, this “found footage film” follows a close trio of friends who happen upon an alien at a time where everything around them is changing. With their impending and inevitable move away from each other, they go on one last adventure together. Filled with danger,wonder, and excitement, their epic journey will change their lives forever.
During a recent visit to Technicolor in LA, I sat down with Director Dave Green and Producers Andrew Panay and Adam Blum to talk about the origin and inspiration for the film, why they chose a genre traditionally reserved for sci-fi and horror films, and why the film will resonate so authentically with kids. While I’ve yet to see more than a trailer, from my time with the filmmakers, I sensed something different about this coming-of-age film. We live in an age dominated by technology and much of our lives are becoming increasingly played out in real-time via social media. As Panay was thinking about the next generation of kid and family films, he realized that in many ways, YouTube was the inspiration for this found footage film. We live in a time “where kids are filming themselves” and he came to realize that “if kids found an alien today, they’d film the entire experience.” From this simple concept, Earth to Echo was born.
It’s been decades since films like E.T. moved audiences with it’s affective, sci-fi story of friendship and loyalty. Green, like myself, grew up watching films like E.T., The Explorers, and Stand By Me, from which he drew inspiration. “The kinds of movies I grew up watching as a kid had a lot of fun to them…sometimes a little scary, sometimes a little emotional, always with a sense of adventure,” Green recalls. “Henry (Gayden), the writer, and I really tried to tap into those feelings we had when we were 13 years old…10 years old,” and incorporate them into the film.
With the goal of creating an authentic film showing “real” kids, the filmmakers felt like this was still something that had not been done properly. We wanted “to make sure we delivered something for kids and their families,” (Panay) rather than simply playing on the nostalgia factor. “You want a coming-of-age film to resonate with viewers, but you don’t want to coast primarily on feelings that have been explored before” (Blum). A significant part of that authentic approach included using the filmmaking technique of found footage, where the story is depicted through the eyes of the characters. Knowing that we live in an age where real-time sharing via social media is the norm, the filmmakers opted for this technique where the kids shot the movie and are telling the story, much like they would do today. “People live every moment of their lives online [and] that is the lens through which the story would be told now” (Green). But the filmmakers went a step further by allowing the kids to assemble the footage, giving them “cool ownership of the story.” Found footage is still an evolving medium and “we are doing something in this movie that I don’t think other found footage movies have done yet” (Green).
Targeted towards kids in that “in-between-stage,” the filmmakers were careful in their approach, understanding that tweens can be a difficult audience to connect with. Always aiming for authenticity, this coming-of-age film balances adventure with raw emotion. Tweens these days have likely seen an expansive spectrum of films, from animation and live action to sci-fi and adventure, so it was important that the filmmakers delivered the story in a fresh, authentic manner or “they’re going to think you are manipulating them” (Panay). Because the film was shot by the kids, it is an authentic portrayal of how kids think and feel. “What separates us from the rest is [the fact that] there is a quiet spirit that is deep and connective to kids…the only time you get emotional is when it’s earned (Panay).” Ultimately, Earth to Echo is a story that will authentically inspire kids, who often feel so small, that they can do big things.
Earth to Echo debuts in theaters July 2nd, 2014. You can connect and stay up-to-date by following the film on its respective social channels:
Follow on Twitter, Instagram & Tumblr #EarthToEcho
Like Earth to Echo on Facebook
Subscribe on YouTube
Images: Relativity Media
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