HaZ on the power of archive footage

Every shot counts when you’re a guerrilla filmmaker. Whilst low or no-budget filmmakers might think of using stock footage for explosions or the odd lens flare, there’s so much more available nowadays that it can make sense to use archive footage to help you tell your stories.

After all, if it’s the right quality, as VFX artists you can make it your own individual shot by manipulating it, so it needn’t look like anyone else’s shot. With careful selection, you can really enhance the production values of your film, whilst also saving money. HaZ has found the power of archive footage particularly rewarding, and you could argue he’s made it a central part of his work, so who better to advise on this?

Have you used archive footage for complete shots, to establish a scene or location for instance? Did you customise it? Let us know of any legitimate sources you’ve particularly found useful.