As Spielberg was contractually unable to direct another film while he made "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," Hooper was selected based on his work on "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "The Funhouse". Spielberg conceived "Poltergeist" as a horror sequel to his 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" titled "Night Skies"; however, Hooper was less interested in the sci-fi elements and suggested they collaborate on a ghost story. Accounts differ as to the level of Spielberg's involvement, but it is clear that he was frequently on set during filming and exerted significant creative control. For that reason, some have expressed the view that Spielberg should be considered the film's co-director or even main director, though both Spielberg and Hooper have disputed this.