BS: A nightmare on elms street (Craven 1984) technical Analysis

CAMERA	DURATION	MISE-EN-SCENE	CAMERA EFFECT
medium close up	0.5 - 0.7	the classroom setting is the most prominent feature of mise en scene, it is realistic and helps to convey a feeling of every day life	positions this character with having a role of power or dominance, which is relevant as she has power over her pupils in the classroom.
mid-shot (panning)	0.8 - 0.38	shows the protagonist wearing light colored clothing, this connotes she is perhaps innocent	stops the panning at a character, this positions the audience with the main character or protagonist
medium close up zooming to close-up	0.40 - 1.09	is the first closeup of the main character, she looks tired and may link into the title of the film	zooms to a close up of the protagonist, positions the audience strongly with her, and can realize that this film will be about her
close-up/ medium close-up	1.09 - 1.13	shows the blood and reveals that there is some kind of danger	first is close to the bloody character then pulls back to a medium close-up this shows her full body and the blood coming from her, this reveals a danger
close-up	1.13 - 1.15	remains as if normal, and as if what the girl has seen has gone unnoticed	the close up helps the audience to understand the protagonists reaction to what she has seen
cut away/ panning north to south	1.21 - 1.24	a darker lit corridor to connote a feeling that danger is there	used to show how the bloody character has vanished, and shows a puddle of blood to show her injuries are serious
shot reverse shot	1.24 - 1.32	the verbal language of the male character seems foreign and strange, a common convention in horror films and connotes that whatever is happening it is not normal	reveals the protagonists reaction to what she has seen, and the audience can see her reacting to it by getting out of her chair.

long shot	1.32 - 1.49	music creates a tense atmosphere, the dialogue shows concern for her friend and show the audience that the protagonist knows this bloody character	the long shot and the character stopping shows she has seen something that has surprised her, and shows her nonverbal facial expressions exaggerate this
point of view	1.49 - 1.54	the trail of blood shows this character is being dragged, and suggests someone poses a threat. the dark corridor again exaggerates danger	the point of view angle allows the audience to view what is happening from the perspective of the protagonist, which makes it seem more realistic for the audience
mid shot	1.54 - 2.02	the camera focuses on the protagonists facial expression, which is that of concern or fear this is through her non verbal language	the mid shot not only shows the facial expression, but then because the camera follows the protagonist as she walk it allows the audience to see she is moving towards the danger
two shot	2.10 - 2.14	the introduction of another character shows there is blood on her face, and allows the audience to assume she is in some way connected to the girl being dragged down the corridor. the sound track also comes to a climax as the audience expect to be scared as this character comes round the corner	the two shot introduces another character into this opening sequence and is the first exchange of dialogue
shot reverse shot	2.13 - 2.16	shows a close up, shows normal everyday expressions as if nothing has happened and seems unrealistic	the shot reverse shot goes from one character to another when speaking, the dialogue "wheres your pass" seems unrealistic for what is happening but brings a sense of realism as it seems like everyday school language
mid shot	2.21 - 2.25	the costume shows more blood on the other characters face, and also reveals the claws to show the monster	the mid shot of the female character shows her to be the monster and the threat of danger in this opening
medium close up	2.25 - 2.28	is the last shot of the protagonist and is used to show her reaction to what has been happening and to the monster, and reveals she is perhaps a 'final girl' character	is close so the audience get a better understanding to what the protagonist is feeling.

 

 

personally from this opening i like the use of close ups and mid shots. it is an easy way for the audience to gather a more detailed understanding of the character different feelings and reactions during this opening, especially considering there is very little dialogue. i also like the costume in this opening and think it is a brilliant portrayal of typical horror with some king of unrealistic monster.