J.R. Technical Analysis - Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Technical Analysis 

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

In the dreams of his victims, a spectral child murderer stalks the children of the members of the lynch mob that killed him.

Director:

 Wes Craven

Writer:

 Wes Craven

Stars:

 Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund |See full cast and crew

(IMDb)

Technical Analysis (00:05-02:30)

Camera	Duration (Mins)	Mise-en-scene	Camera Effect
Medium Close up	00:05-00:07	In the opening shot the main idea that is implied to the audience is that it is based within a class room which connotes that it is everyday life. Making it feel more realistic as you watch it.	The camera work in this opening shot positions us with her, possible implying that she is the narrative in this scene.
Mid-Shot (Panning)	00:08-00:38	The protagonist in this shot is wearing light colours such as white which could imply that she is innocent and even vulnerable, supporting the dominant ideology that young girls are vulnerable and naive.	The panning shot comes to a halt when it reaches the narrative once again supporting the idea that she is the character whom we are to focus on.
Medium close up – Zooming to close-up	00:39-01:09	This is the first close up of the scene, and is drawing the audience’s attention onto that specific character. This could draw the audience’s attention onto that fact that she is vulnerable through the way her emotions are portrayed as ‘tired and unaware’.	The camera work her is mainly put in place to position us as audience with that character, as well as implying that she may be the protagonist in the scene.
Close Up / Medium Close Up	01:10-01:12	The costume in this scene is a key signifier in portraying that there is danger approaching the protagonist. The use of blood and gore helps create a tense and unnerving atmosphere all building up the suspense in the scene.	To begging with the close up makes the audience aware of her emotions (vulnerability) and then as this becomes a mid-shot (revealing her whole body) the element of danger in this scene is revealed.
Close Up	01:13-01:15	The other characters in this scene act as if nothing has happened. Then her close-up (the main theme of this shot) shows that she is distressed and anxious all building up the suspense.	This close up shot is put in place to build up the tension of the scene, and showing that the protagonist is vulnerable and ‘weak’.
Cut Away/Panning North - South	01:16-01:24	As the protagonist looks from one room to another we see the dramatic light change. The darker room connotes that there is danger approaching.	This shot shows the significance of the girl disappearing, in addition to highlighting the fact that the blood is black connoting death.
Shot Reverse Shot	01:25-01:32	The dialogue given out from the male character puts an un-nerving presence in the air. In addition to this his non-verbal language possible connotes that he is possessed and is acting against the protagonist.	The audience are positioned with her reaction then followed by her leaving her chair and the comfort of the classroom which could create a vulnerable feel to the scene.
Long Shot	01:33-01:49	The emptiness of this shot shows that the protagonist is now all alone creating an unnerving tension. The dialogue ‘Tina?’ also implies that she is curious to what is happening also building up the suspense in the scene.	The camera work here is used to create a sense of vulnerability amongst the character which is supporting a dominant ideology of young girls.
POV (Point of View Shot)	01.50-01:54	The trail of ‘black’ blood connotes that she is in danger, and the trail leading down the dark hallway poses some sort of threat towards the protagonist. In addition to this there is a slow increase in sound constructing the feeling that something dramatic is about to happen to that character.	The POV shot so vital in establishing that she is the dominant character in this scene, it is also key in allowing the audience to gain her perspective in order for them to be able to relate to her character with more ease.
Mid Shot	01:55-02:02	The camera angle focuses on the protagonists facial expressions, and through her non-verbal language we see the fear that is building up within her.	The camera also follows the protagonist as she walks down the hallway and this allows the audience feel as if they are moving closer to the danger as well as the protagonist.
Two Shot	02:03-02:13	This shot introduces a new character and she is seen with blood on her face, this links us with the previous blood related character who was being dragged down the hallway.	This two shot introduces another character into the scene and also allows the first lines of interchanged dialogue to be spoken. Seeing how the two characters interact with each other.
Shot Reverse Shot	02:14-02:20	This focuses her facial expression showing us that it is nothing other than an everyday situation, this acts as an anti-climax.	The dialogue used in this reverse shot “where’s your hall pass?” shows the realistic side to this scene once again showing that it is just like everyday life, adding to the anti-climax.
Mid Shot	02:21-02:25	This mid shot then relates back to the ‘evilness’ in the scene as we see more blood appear on the females face and the ‘monsters’ claws arise from the corner of the shot building suspense.	The mid-shot of the female’s character is put in place to construct the idea that she is the danger in this scene.
Medium Close Up	02:26-02:28	The last shot of the protagonist shows her vanish behind the wall (entering a doorway or such), therefore when we lose eye sight of her we then feel vulnerable as an audience.	The medium close used as the final shot is significant in gathering a final understanding of what the protagonist is feeling in the scene.

Through looking at this sequence from 'Nightmare on Elm Street' i have discovered that close up shots are used frequently on the protagonist to construct audience awareness to what her emotions are throughout the different stages of the scene. The significance of these shots are used so that the audience are able to relate to her emotions, this is therefore very important in a horror film as that audience must feel linked to the protagonist, as it will subsequently build up tension making it more scary/thrilling. This is a point worth taking a note of when looking into the planning stages of our own horror movie opening.