Halloween John Carpenters Fear Meter Explained

Halloween: John Carpenter’s “Fear Meter” Explained

The iconic John Carpenter used a “fear meter” while filming the original Halloween, so how did it affect the final cut? We break it all down.

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Halloween John Carpenters Fear Meter Explained

The iconic John Carpenter used a “fear meter” while filming the original Halloween, so how did it affect the final cut? Decades after its 1978 release, the horror movie remains a genre classic, and continues to inspire new variations on the Michael Myers premise. For the sake of authenticity, lead actress Jamie Lee Curtis was given specific guidance for interpreting the scariest moments, and for a good reason beyond all the practical purposes.

Like many classic slasher movies, Halloween doesn’t begin with absolute chaos, at least beyond the opening sequence. In fact, it’s not until minute 53 that Michael Myers (Nick Castle) begins to take direct action against Curtis’ Laurie Strode after previously stalking Haddonfield teenagers during the first two acts of the film. This slow-burn approach has become commonplace in modern psychological horror flicks, but it was undoubtedly terrifying for viewers who originally experienced the film in theaters for the first time, or in a darkened room via VHS during the ’80s. During production, there was a crucial bit of information that the main cast had to consider, specially the lead actress. Because Halloween was shot out of order, Carpenter introduced a “fear meter” to maintain the appropriate tonal balance. Meaning, it wouldn’t make thematic sense for Curtis to unload a huge scream during early scenes that are meant to be more creepy than scary.

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According to Curtis, the “fear meter” directions weren’t too complex, and involved a 1 to 10 scale for Halloween. She revealed (via Halloween Movies) that Carpenter said something like, “Here’s about a 7, here’s about a 6, and the scene we’re going to shoot tonight is about a 9 1/2.” Curtis’ most terrifying scenes happen during a 13-minute stretch in the final act, as Laurie finds the bodies of several victims, along with the headstone of Michael Myers’ older sister, Judith, who is later revealed to be her biological sister. During the headstone sequence, Curtis initially whimpers, and then belts out a proper scream as the action intensifies. At this point, it’s likely that the “fear meter” called for a 10. Curtis then dials it down a bit when Laurie cries for help outside. During the climatic attack scene in Halloween, Curtis once again refrains from an all-out 10, and only because her character is being strangled by Michael. Rather than screaming. Laurie gasps for breath.

During the first three sequences involving Laurie and Michael in Halloween, Curtis dials it down. For example: when Laurie spots a stranger in a car, she appears more nervous then frightened. A little later, Laurie spots Michael outside and communicates a sense of unease before pushing herself away from a window with a fearful look. The first scene mentioned above could be considered a 6 on the “fear meter,” while the second was probably a 7, since Curtis gives a little more with her performance.

There’s a comedic moment around the 25-minute mark in Halloween when Laurie walks backward and accidentally runs into Sheriff Leigh Brackett (Charles Cyphers). In this particular scene, Curtis appears to be already smiling or laughing before the collision, which implies that she wasn’t quite locked into the performance, perhaps because someone called out to her from the set. Whatever the case, it’s not distracting enough to pull the viewer away from the inherent suspense.

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The Brackett collision scene in Halloween also includes some wink-of-the-eye dialogue that could potentially link to Curtis’ smiley reaction. After the sheriff apologies, he captures the spirit of both the holiday Halloween and the fundamentals of Carpenter’s directorial vision, stating “You know, it’s Halloween. I guess everyone’s entitled to one good scare, huh?” In the 1978 classic Halloween, the director’s “fear meter” provides that and so much more.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/halloween-movie-john-carpenter-fear-meter-directing-tool-explained/

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