Where the idea of the Ghostfacers came from on Supernatural

When Supernatural Season 3 came back from its nine-week hiatus, the series gave us the Ghostfacers. Just where did this bunch of knuckleheads come from? Why bring this reality-style show?

Supernatural tends to have a meta episode every season. In Season 3, it was all about the Ghostfacers. We’d already met Ed and Harry, but Episode 13, aptly titled “Ghostfacers,” gave us the rest of the group.

The show would act as a backdoor pilot for a web series following the characters that remained when the episode ended. It was also filmed as a pilot, with the found footage style. So, delving into the episode, just where did the ideas for the Ghostfacers come from?

Offering what could have been

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Running a scripted unscripted show was something to connect with what could have happened. Had the writer’s strike not come to an end, the networks were going to have to run a series of unscripted programming. Supernatural Season 3 brought in the scripted reality show-style episode, showing what could have been on The CW.

It was the meta twist to the episode, filled with found footage drama and the creation of a pilot.

Taking on The Blair Witch Project and Ghost Hunters

Inspiration from the show clearly primarily came from two sources: The Blair Witch Project for the found footage filming (this was before Paranormal Activity) and Ghost Hunters for the idea of a group of people going into haunted houses to find the ghosts.

Of course, there was a real violent spirit lurking in the house. We got to see the dangers if the supernatural is real and the Winchesters came in to save the day again.

Opting for the phases of the development is also important. It’s taken from various unscripted shows that give viewers an insight into what happens in the planning stages.

Ghostfacers: The Supernatural spin-off

Shortly after the backdoor pilot, the Ghostfacers web series was picked up. There were 13 episodes in total, although the last was actually a fun creation that was pitched during Supernatural‘s summer break in 2009. Yes, it’s the best episode of all, when the Ghostfacers meet Castiel.

It’s sadly been the only spin-off and never really considered a spin-off of the series. In fact, many people don’t realize the web series came to life.

Did you know about what was going to replace Supernatural if the writer’s strike hadn’t ended? Did you realize all the connections in Ghostfacers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.