To mark Halloween, the National Science and Media Museum has revealed the latest design along with some of the iconic objects that will be found in Behind the Screams, a feature in its new permanent Sound and Vision galleries, which delves into the shock and thrills of some of the most iconic horror films.
As part of the museum’s new Sound and Vision galleries opening in 2025 thanks to support from National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, visitors will be taken on a journey behind the scenes of some of the most watched horror films and thrillers, finding out why we love to be scared, and the creative techniques used to push the boundaries in film and gaming.
A key moment in the exhibit will tell the story of Hammer Films, which launched their series of Gothic horror films in the 1950s, challenging standards and creating now-classic representations of characters like Dracula. Visitors will be able to see first-hand the original Dracula’s Fangs designed for and worn by Christopher Lee in the 1958 Dracula. The fangs include a ‘blood’ reservoir designed so Lee could press it against his palate with his tongue so ‘blood’ ran through the tub, dripping down the fangs. To bring the tiny object to life, the fangs will be displayed amongst a pool of ‘blood’ which was suggested by the museum’s Youth Forum, a panel of young people from across Bradford district being consulted on the new galleries. Visitors will also be able to get up close to other terrifying creatures like Alien, with the Alien head and torso used in the film franchise on display.
Behind the Screams will also delve into how creatives and artists like legends Roy Ashton and Phil Leakey use innovative techniques to evoke emotional responses from audiences through special effects make-up and sound technologies. The museum collaborated with Bradford College media makeup and special effects students who recreated iconic Hammer Film characters which will feature in a new film in the galleries. Visitors will also be able to have a go at bringing a film to life just like a Foley artist by using wooden machines to recreate horror film sound effects like footsteps or a door creaking.
The museum’s new Sound and Vision galleries will open in summer 2025, showcasing the museum’s world-class collections of photography, film, television, gaming and sound and image technologies. But horror film fans don’t have to wait until then as the museum’s Pictureville Cinema is screening a special season of women in horror called Fatal Femmes for Halloween. The season includes a special Halloween night double bill of Suspiria on 35mm and the new 4k restoration of the Stephen King adaptation, Carrie.
The National Science and Media Museum will reopen to the public in January 2025, following an 18-month temporary closure to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation through its ‘Sound and Vision’ project, which includes two new permanent galleries, the creation of an additional passenger lift, and improvements to the main entrance.
The Sound and Vision Project is a £6m capital investment, and in addition to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also has support from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2022–24, Bradford Council and the Science Museum Group, which the National Science and Media Museum is a part of.
For more information about the Sound and Vision project, please visit our website.
For film times and to book tickets to Fatal Femmes, please visit our cinema pages.
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For more information or interviews, please contact Brittany Noppe, Communications Manager on brittany.noppe@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk / 01274 203356
A media pack of images including the Behind the Screams design render is available to download.
The Sound and Vision Project is generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (Associate Funder), DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2022-24 (Associate Funder), Art Fund (Supported By) Sovereign Health Care (Supported By), David Family Foundation (Supported By) and Spectacle Makers Charity (Supported By).
About the National Science and Media Museum
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, opened in 1983, and has since become one of the most visited UK museums outside London. It draws on more than three million objects from its national collection to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives.
The museum creates special exhibitions, interactive galleries and activities for families and adults, and is home to Pictureville, Yorkshire’s biggest independent cinema with three screens including Europe’s first IMAX and the only remaining public venue screening Cinerama in the world.
Please note, the museum remains temporarily closed to the public until January 2025 to undergo a ‘once-in-a-generation’ transformation. For more information and updates on re-opening, please visit our website.
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in the strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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