# Project X

> 2012 American film by Nima Nourizadeh

**Wikidata**: [Q249215](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q249215)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_X_(2012_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/project-x

## Summary
Project X is a 2012 American comedy film directed by Nima Nourizadeh. It follows three high school seniors who throw a birthday party that spirals out of control.

## Key Facts
- Released on March 2, 2012, in the United States
- Directed by Nima Nourizadeh in his feature film debut
- Produced by Todd Phillips and Joel Silver
- Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget: $12 million
- Box office gross: $102.7 million worldwide
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Rated R for crude and sexual content, nudity, drugs, drinking, pervasive language, reckless behavior and mayhem
- Filmed in Los Angeles, California
- Shot in found footage style
- Written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall
- Stars Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, and Jonathan Daniel Brown
- Features music by Ludwig Göransson
- Cinematography by Ken Seng
- Editing by Jeff Groth
- Production companies: Silver Pictures, Green Hat Films

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Project X?**
Project X follows three high school seniors who throw a birthday party to gain popularity, but things spiral out of control as the party grows beyond their expectations and attracts unwanted attention from the police and media.

**Who directed Project X and what is their background?**
Nima Nourizadeh directed Project X, marking his feature film directorial debut. Prior to this, he was known for directing music videos and commercials.

**What genre is Project X and what are its key themes?**
Project X is primarily a teen comedy and found footage film. Its key themes include teenage rebellion, the desire for social status, the consequences of unchecked behavior, and the viral nature of social media.

**How was Project X received by critics and audiences?**
Project X received mixed reviews from critics, with a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $102 million worldwide against a $12 million budget. Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore.

**What is the significance of the found footage style in Project X?**
The found footage style was used to create a sense of realism and immediacy, making the audience feel like they were experiencing the chaotic party firsthand. This approach was relatively uncommon for comedy films at the time.

## Why It Matters
Project X matters as a cultural touchstone that captured the zeitgeist of early 2010s youth culture and social media. It explored themes of teenage excess, viral fame, and the consequences of reckless behavior in the digital age. The film's found footage approach brought a new level of realism to the teen comedy genre and influenced subsequent films in the category. Its commercial success demonstrated the viability of low-budget, high-concept comedies targeting young audiences. Project X also sparked discussions about parenting, teenage responsibility, and the impact of social media on youth behavior, making it a relevant social commentary of its time.

## Notable For
- Nima Nourizadeh's feature film directorial debut
- Todd Phillips' production of a found footage comedy
- Successful blend of teen comedy and found footage genres
- Exploration of social media's impact on teenage behavior
- Commercial success with a $12 million budget grossing over $102 million worldwide
- Controversial content leading to discussions about teenage responsibility
- Influence on subsequent teen party and found footage films
- Use of real teenagers in many party scenes
- Marketing campaign that leveraged social media platforms
- Soundtrack featuring contemporary electronic dance music

## Body
### Production and Development
Project X was produced by Todd Phillips through his Green Hat Films banner and Joel Silver through Silver Pictures. The screenplay was written by Matt Drake and Michael Bacall, with Bacall receiving a "story by" credit. Nima Nourizadeh, primarily known for directing music videos, was selected to direct his first feature film. The project was developed as a low-budget, high-concept comedy aimed at teenage and young adult audiences.

### Filming and Style
The film was shot in Los Angeles, California, using a found footage style to create a documentary-like feel. This approach was relatively innovative for comedy films at the time. The cinematography by Ken Seng utilized handheld cameras and security camera footage to maintain the illusion of amateur documentation. Many of the party scenes featured real teenagers as extras to enhance authenticity.

### Cast and Characters
The main cast consisted of Thomas Mann as Thomas Kub, Oliver Cooper as Costa, and Jonathan Daniel Brown as JB. These relatively unknown actors were chosen to play the three high school seniors who throw the party. The film also featured Kirby Bliss Blanton, Dax Flame, Nichole O'Connor, and Alexis Knapp in supporting roles.

### Music and Soundtrack
Ludwig Göransson composed the original score for Project X. The soundtrack featured contemporary electronic dance music, reflecting the film's party atmosphere and targeting its young audience demographic. The music played a crucial role in establishing the film's energetic and chaotic tone.

### Release and Marketing
Project X was released on March 2, 2012, in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures. The marketing campaign heavily utilized social media platforms, creating viral content and encouraging user-generated content to promote the film. This approach aligned with the film's themes and target audience.

### Reception and Impact
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was commercially successful. It grossed $54.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $48 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $102.7 million. The film's success led to discussions about teenage behavior, parenting, and the influence of social media on youth culture. It also influenced subsequent films in the teen comedy and found footage genres.

### Cultural Significance
Project X became a cultural phenomenon, particularly among its target demographic of teenagers and young adults. The film's portrayal of an out-of-control party resonated with its audience and sparked discussions about teenage rebellion and the consequences of social media-fueled events. It also raised questions about the responsibility of filmmakers in depicting potentially dangerous behavior.

### Technical Aspects
The film's 88-minute runtime was relatively short for a feature film, contributing to its fast-paced and energetic feel. The editing by Jeff Groth was crucial in maintaining the found footage style while creating a coherent narrative. The production design focused on transforming a suburban home into a chaotic party venue, with extensive use of practical effects for the destruction scenes.

### Legacy
Project X's success demonstrated the commercial viability of low-budget, high-concept comedies targeting young audiences. It influenced subsequent films in both the teen comedy and found footage genres, encouraging more experimentation with style and subject matter. The film's approach to marketing through social media also set a precedent for future film promotions targeting younger demographics.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/project-x-2012-1)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=185031.html)
4. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_25856_Projeto.X.Uma.Festa.Fora.de.Controle-(Project.X).html)
5. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/185031.html)
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/movies/project-x-from-nima-nourizadeh.html)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/project-x)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm)
9. [Source](http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2016/08/04/project-x-star-jonathan-daniel-brown-games-journalists-today-dont-seem-to-like-games-very-much/)
10. The Movie Database
11. Project X. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/releaseinfo)
13. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/releaseinfo/)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/parentalguide/#certificates)
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1636826/technical/)
18. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1636826/)
19. Kinopoisk
20. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/project-x-2011)
21. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/project-x/)
22. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/project-x-sbs-versie/)
23. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
24. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/132488)
25. Online-Filmdatenbank
26. [Source](https://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=248511)
27. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13884)
28. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=96)
29. Bechdel Test Movie List
30. mymovies.it
31. [Autostraddle. 2013](https://www.autostraddle.com/the-mako-mori-test-is-here-to-fill-another-spot-on-your-feminist-film-criticism-toolbelt-191644/)
32. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/BDD3-B867-986A-75A4-9C67-G)
33. Danish Film Database
34. TheTVDB
35. Trakt.tv
36. FilmVandaag.nl