Both Carol Reed’s The Third Man (1949), and David Lynch’s Eraserhead. (1977) contain parallels not only within their thriller genre, but also in their approach to a noir style. Each main character faces a confusing predicament, that is supplements with high contrast lighting in order to make the audience feel insecure. Both films are thrilling and frightening, in which the men must overcome a few challenges and struggles before they feel safe or relaxed. Robert Krasker, Herbert Cardwell, and Frederick Elmes, use distinct harsh lighting to create only certain holes of light. These holes of light allow the camera to play hide-and-seek with the audience so that they feel uncomfortable or even scared. Not being able to see what is coming often puts people on edge.…show more content… In The Third Man, Orsen Wells is hidden on a stoop with top lighting. All the audience can see are his shoes. Not being able to see that character creates a moment of tension and suspense, as the audience wonders who is standing there, and if Joseph Cottons character will be murdered. The camera is only exposing for the bright light, leaving the shadows of each scene extremely dark. The darkness creates an atmosphere that is claustrophobic and tense. There is also a heavy use of dutch-angles. Having the camera rotated 45 degrees is a way to show that something is off, or not right with the lot without having the characters directly saying it. There is personification of the camera in each of the films. It is as if the camera is spying on or stalking the main characters, especially in The Third
