Wes Craven: The Man and his Nightmares

The life and film genius of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream director Wes Craven

Wes Craven is one of the most successful and iconic horror movie directors in Hollywood. His masterful examination of the nightmarish nexus of dreams and reality helped spark a career that has spanned close to forty years. Then, with their mix of horror, sex, and humor, Craven's Scream movies helped revitalize the slasher film genre.

An absorbing portrait of cult film director Wes Craven's life and career in film
Draws on the author's new interviews with Craven, including little-known details about the director's life and work
Insights into the making of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies and the Scream films—the #1 horror franchise of all time
Fascinating stories about the director's work with a range of producers, screenwriters, and actors, including Robert Englund
Publication timing ties in with the release of Scream 4

If you've ever had nightmares about Freddy Krueger or psychopaths wearing Halloween scream masks, or if want to know more about the director behind the new Scream 4, this is one book you simply have to read.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant book

By Jonathan Santiago - May 21, 2011

This was an excellent read and couldn't put the book down, John Wooley is an excellent writer and biographer.

This book is a very good artist profile of Wes Craven and also very inspiring specially for film makers that feel are struggling to get into the industry. Wes Craven's journey as a film maker was far from easy, he faced many challenges, criticism and shot downs by production companies before he made is name and he never gave up. Also he was a man that worked within his possibilities, made the best of it, and expanded his message regardless of the genre he was tied too. The book also gives you an insight on how the film industry was in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's until present day and how it changed along the way as well as audience mentality. Craven has had a big impact in film culture and growth.

This book talks about Wes's inspiration and influence behind his stories and films. How he grew up and coped with a repressive society, religious up bringing and... read more