Watch: ‘The Phoenix Incident’ Director Emphasizes the Importance of Shooting on Location

Today is the final day in a week-long extravaganza of behind-the-scenes videos for “The Phoenix Incident,” a new sci-fi thriller from director Keith Arem. If you have not been keeping up with Indiewire’s coverage this week, check it out. There is plenty to see, from narrative influences to how the stunts were pulled off. 

READ MORE: Watch: How ‘The Phoenix Incident’ Pulled Off Its Craziest Stunts

Today’s video focuses on location shooting, and how Arem took his team to the scorching desert of Arizona. “The Phoenix Incident” is based on the Phoenix Lights sighting of 1997, the largest alleged UFO sighting in US history. The film attempts an often realistic documentary style approach, juxtaposing these sequences with more traditional narrative filmmaking techniques. The style calls for authenticity and a feeling that could only be captured in Phoenix itself. 

Lead actor Troy Baker said the experience was akin to “going to camp” — albeit a camp in the middle of a 99 degree desert littered with scorpions and snakes. 

READ MORE: Watch: ‘The Phoenix Incident’ Offers Behind the Scenes Tips on How to Shoot a Documentary Thriller

“The Phoenix Incident” is in select theaters now.

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