A Nightmare

on Elm Street

(1984)

By Kasia Zablocka

The genre of this film is horror. It is targeted towards teenagers and young adults, this is

because the main characters are in their teenage years, therefore there is a stronger

connection between them rather than people in the audience who are over 40. Music is by

Charles Bernstein. Cinematography is by Jacques Haitkin and the movie is edited by

Patrick McMahon and Rick ShaineThe film is directed by Wes Craven and is

distributed by New Line Cinema. The production company is Media Home

Entertainment.

The title of the movie uses the colours red and white which is successful because

the colours look good and go well with eachother. The title is simple and not

overdone therefore making it easier to recognize and remember.

John SaxonRobert Englund

Heather Langenkamp

Ronee Blakley

Amanda Wyss

Jsu Garcia

Johnny Depp Joseph Whipp

Ronee Blakley

The scene starts off with a tracking shot of someone’s feet walking. Then you can see their hands grabbing tools from a table from a bird’s

eye view angle. The audience does not get to see the characters face. This builds tension

and creates an eerie atmosphere. Birds Eye View Angle

Shows what the character is doing. This is quite an unnatural and strange angle which is

not commonly used, however it puts the audience in a godlike position, looking down on the action which means the audience can

see everything that is happening clearly.

Cut InUsed to show the hand movements in detail.

Gives the audience a clear view and understanding of what is happening.

Close UpThis shows the characters facial expressions,

conveying emotion. The audience is drawn into the characters personal space and shares their

feelings and emotions.

Extreme Close UpCreates a dramatic effect. It makes the audience suspect something is going to

happen as its not commonly used and there is usually a specific reason to use this shot.

Very Wide Shot The character is only just visible here. The

emphasis is very much on showing the characters surrounding and creating the

setting.

Mid ShotThe mid shot shows enough for the audience

to feel as if they were there. It shows the character in more detail than in a long shot

bur not as much as in a close up.

Over the Shoulder ShotThis shot is effective because it gives the

audience an insight into what the character sees. It adds realism to the shot.

Long ShotWhile the focus is on the character, plenty of

background detail still emerges. This shot shows the character from the top of their

head to the bottom of their feet, while setting the scene.

High AngleThis angle is very effective because it makes the character seem smaller, insignificant and

powerless.

Eye LevelThis shot is successful because it is neutral. It

shows the character as we would expect to see them in real life. This camera angle lets the audience get a good look at the characters

facial expressions without the added emotion or impact of a high or low-angle shot.

Diegetic SoundDiegetic sound is used at the beginning of the clip when Freddy is walking. You can clearly hear his footsteps. It’s also used

when the character tips out the tools from a bag, and then uses them. Throughout the

beginning of the clip you can also hear Freddy breathing quite fast and deeply.

Another part in the opening 5mins of the movie when diegetic sound is used is when

the female character screams multiple times as she is being chased by Freddy.

Diegetic sound is then used again when the female character wakes up from a

nightmare and her mother walks into her room. They then have a conversation.

Diegetic sound was also used for: doors opening, doors closing and the footstep

sound when the character is running. Diegetic sound is effective because it makes

the scene seem very realistic, which is effective as the more realistic it is, the more

scared the audience will feel.

Non-Diegetic SoundNon-Diegetic Sound was used as mood music throughout most of the opening

scene, until the character wakes up from her nightmare. This is really effective as it

emphasise the moment of that scene. It builds up tension up to a jumpy moment and

prepares us for something big. There are a few high pitched sounds throughout the opening scene which are non-diegetic.

Towards the end of the opening scene when Freddy jumps out and attacks the female character there is a non-diegetic sound which sounds like a UFO invasion would

sound. This approach is more likely going to make the audience jump and feel shocked and alarmed. There are also a few sound

effects which are added for dramatic effect, for example, the sound the pipes make as

the female character is trying to escape and the sound made when the Freddy drags his

glove with blades on each finger down a rusty pipe.

Set, Lighting and PropsThe location of the opening scene works

well and sets the frightening tone the film is aiming for. It does so through the successful use of lighting and the eerie atmosphere the location gives off. The lighting is always kept quite dark, which is quite common for horror movies to do. The location itself seems to be

a factory, with metal and gas pipes everywhere representing a dangerous

environment. Some of the props used are multiple tools and knives used by Freddy. Another prop also used is a thin skin-like

sheet, which Freddie stabs and rips through with the knife glove. This makes the

audience visualise the obvious connotation of Freddie stabbing his victims. Towards the

ending of the opening scene clip you can also see the female character grab and hug a

crucifix which is hanging above her bed. In the opening scene you can also see a sheep

run through the dark corridors, which can be considered a prop as the animal only

appears for 2secs.

Costumes and Make-UpThe female character is wearing a long white

sleeping gown and doesn’t have any shoes on. This suggests that she has been asleep in a bed not long ago. Make up was used to create the slight bags under her eyes but other than that it’s been kept to the minimum in order to not

ruin the atmosphere the film is trying to create. Freddy can be seen wearing a brown low top

hat, and a pair of brown leather looking shoes. Towards the end of the scene you can also see him wearing a green and red jumper, which is dirty and ripped in some parts. You cannot see

his face in the opening scene therefore you can’t see the make up used on him. At the end of the opening scene, you can see the girl wake up from her nightmare with rips on her sleeping gown in the same place in which Freddy tore it.

You can see the girl’s mother walk into her room wearing a dressing gown and then a man

wearing a white vest top. Even though the costumes are quite simple, the effect they

create is amazing.