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What Are Backrooms Videos? Origins, Theory, and How Creators Make Them

Sheila Deciar
by Video Tech Expert
updated Sep 03, 25
In this article
    1. Origin of the Backrooms videos
    2. Key Elements of Backrooms Videos
    1. Why the Debate Persists on Platforms like Reddit
    1. Example of Backroom Video in Popular Media
    2. How Creators Make Backrooms Videos
    3. Pitfalls to Avoid When Making Backrooms-Style Videos

Understanding [Feature Name]

Backroom video experience feels like opening the wrong door in your office and never finding your way back. Instead, you're stuck in yellow halls that buzz with fluorescent lights and stretch forever. That's the unsettling feeling you get when you stumble on these videos.

So, what are Backrooms videos, and why are they so addictive? This article will cover the Backrooms video theory and the Backrooms video vs. analog horror comparison.

what are backroom videos
What is Backroom Video Theory? Backrooms Video Explained

The Backroom video theory can be understood as a framework for interpreting liminal spaces and digital folklore. These videos reflect anxieties about confinement, endless repetition, and disconnection from reality.

Tension is created by the endless yellow-lit hallways where reality appears to glitch. Through this lens, the Backrooms function as a visualization of the fear of the unknown. The use of VHS-style effects creates a disorienting yet immersive experience.

backrooms video explained

Origin of the Backrooms videos

Kane Parsons, known as Kane Pixels, launched the Backrooms series in early 2022. He filmed found-footage shorts and passed them through a VCR filter to nail that analog look. Parsons went on to add plot threads like ASYNC, and created multiple videos that deepened the lore.

Impact on Mythology
That work transformed the Backrooms from creepypasta into a shared horror IP. Parsons introduced levels, monsters, and analog dread, elements that fans could expand upon. His visuals brought the concept to mainstream attention. Jones at WPST labeled his video "the scariest video on the Internet."
Viewer Experience
When you watch Backroom videos, the first-person POV drags you deeper into the maze. Then, the half-rendered creatures and glitchy monsters present help to amplify the weird dread feeling. Also, the VHS-style filters, static, and flickers ground the scene in analog suspense, even though it's digital.

Key Elements of Backrooms Videos

The key elements of Backroom's videos make up their eerie and immersive world. Each component or concept works together to pull you into the unsettling maze. These elements include:

Liminal Spaces
These are found in the endless, monotonous corridors painted in yellow.
No-Clipping Concept
"No-clipping" refers to the ability to move through solid objects.
Analog-Adjacent Aesthetic
This consists of VHS-style filters, static overlays, and timestamps.
Theory-Driven Narrative
Ambiguous lore encouraging speculation and fan engagement with various anomalies.
Creature/NPC Presence
Glitchy monsters or humanoid entities creating suspense.
backroom horror

Backrooms Video vs. Analog Horror

Backroom's videos vs. analog horror evaluation stems from how each approaches horror storytelling. Analog horror focuses on horror using real analog media like VHS tapes, CRT monitors, or old radio recordings.

On the other hand, backroom videos mimic an analog aesthetic with filters, static overlays, timestamps, and noise effects. However, the footage is digital and does not originate from analog sources.

analog horror video
Aspect Backrooms Videos Analog Horror
Origins Digital creation, 2022–present by Kane Pixels Pre-digital era, recorded on analog media
Genre Type Liminal, immersive horror Historical analog horror, experimental style
Production Method Created in Blender, digitally enhanced with VHS filters Recorded on actual VHS, CRT, or tape devices
Community Viewpoint Often called analog by viewers, but debated Recognized as true analog horror by purists
Influence Expanded digital horror lore and inspired imitators Influenced horror aesthetics and found-footage style

Why the Debate Persists on Platforms like Reddit

When you explore Reddit threads about backroom video vs. analog horror, fans' arguments are pinpointed at horror genres and production methods. Therefore, opinions of fans are influenced by the following:

Community view
A group of people who often label Backrooms as analog horror due to the VHS aesthetic.
Generational Shift
Younger digital-native audiences are associating analog horror with technological effects. Older fans feel analog horror must originate from physical media like VHS tapes or CRT recordings.
Historical Claim
This defends that true analog horror existed before digital Backroom adaptations.

How the Backrooms Theory Is Used in Video Production

When you create Backroom videos, the theory shapes every production choice. You can apply it in these ways:

  • Creating Liminal Spaces: Design endless yellow corridors, empty rooms, and flickering lights to disorient viewers.
  • First-Person / Found-Footage Perspective: Use a personal viewpoint to make the horror feel immersive and immediate.
  • Using VHS and Analog Filters: Apply static overlays, timestamps, and VHS-style effects to simulate analog realism digitally.
  • Engaging Audiences Through Mystery: Leave hidden clues, ambiguous narratives, and open-ended storytelling to invite fan speculation.
backroom video production

Example of Backroom Video in Popular Media

While countless Backrooms videos exist online, a few stand out for how clearly they capture the eerie atmosphere and explain the appeal that makes this genre so unique. Below are the examples you should be looking out for.

found footage
Found Footage
A clear example is Kane Pixels' The Backrooms (Found Footage), a short horror film that uses a first-person perspective and VHS-style filters.
local 58
YouTube Web Series
Channels like Local 58 or Petscop blend creepypasta, analog horror, and sci-fi. They play with tension and imagination more than shock value, but creators use editing tools to blur, distort, or overlay text warnings.
silent hill pt
Gameplay/ARG
Games like Outlast or Silent Hill PT (playable teaser) rely on grotesque environments and sudden scares. ARGs such as Marble Hornets merge reality with fiction, often unsettling players.

How Creators Make Backrooms Videos

  • Plan the Story: Sketch levels, monsters, and hidden clues for immersion.
  • Choose Camera Angle: First-person or found-footage POV for realism.
  • Build the Scene: Use 3D or stock footage with VHS/analog-style filters.
  • Add Audio: Ambient hums, glitches, and subtle scares to heighten tension.
  • Edit: Add glitch transitions, overlays, and color-grade yellow corridors.
create backroom videos

Pitfalls to Avoid When Making Backrooms-Style Videos

When you create Backroom videos, being aware of common mistakes can enhance your work. Here are pitfalls to avoid:

Overusing VHS filters

Applying too many VHS or analog effects can distract from the story. Use them sparingly to maintain immersion.

Lack of Consistent Lighting

Inconsistent lighting can confuse viewers. Ensure your lighting matches the scene's mood and setting.

Ignoring Sound Design

Neglecting audio can break immersion. Incorporate ambient sounds and subtle noises to build tension.

Overcomplicating the Narrative

A convoluted story can lose your audience. Keep the plot simple and focused on the eerie atmosphere.

Neglecting Viewer Engagement

Failing to involve your audience can make the video feel flat. Leave room for interpretation and encourage discussion.

errors to avoid

How to Create Backroom Videos in Filmora

Creating backroom videos is no longer as complicated as it used to be during the days of Kane Parsons. There are AI video editing tools that handle this task.

Wondershare Filmora is one of the tools you can rely on for the best backroom videos that compete with videos online.

Filmora's AI Idea to Video makes it easy. Simply tell the AI the plot of the backroom video you want, and it will do the rest.

filmora

Follow these steps to create an ARG video in minutes.

Step 1
Launch Filmora and select the AI Idea to Video tool. Describe the idea of the video you want. When the prompt generation completes, edit before generating the video.
Step 2
Once the AI finishes generating your ARG video, you can refine it inside Filmora. Navigate to the Effects tab and type "VHS Film" in the search bar; drag the effect onto your video clip in the timeline.
Step 3
Preview your video. Save and export.
generate script
edit arg video
preview video
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Conclusion

The Backrooms video theory revolves around the concept of an endless, surreal maze of yellow-lit rooms. These rooms are depicted in a VHS-style aesthetic, which blends the analog genre with modern storytelling.

Creating these videos is no longer as complex as it was for early creators. Utilizing tools like Filmora makes it easy to create engaging Backrooms videos in minutes. The robust effects library makes it an excellent choice for creators of different levels.

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FAQ

  • Who Is Kane Pixels, and What Is His Role in the Backroom Phenomenon?
    Kane Pixels, the online pseudonym of Kane Parsons, is a filmmaker and visual effects artist known for creating the viral short film The Backrooms (Found Footage).
  • What Are the Different Levels in the Backrooms Universe?
    The Backrooms universe is divided into multiple levels, each with its own unique environment and hazards. For instance, Level 0 is characterized by its monotonous, yellow-lit hallways, while other levels introduce more perilous conditions and entities.
  • How Do Creators Make Backroom Videos Look Authentic?
    To achieve an authentic Backroom aesthetic, creators apply VHS filters, incorporate ambient noises like buzzing lights and distant footsteps, and utilize first-person viewpoints.

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