Analysing Slasher Films
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Creation of enigma; my findings were that the possibly male character could be the killer, who is plotting something secretively. The textual evidence for this is the low angle camera shot onto the shoes, where his feet slowly drag behind him; the shot of just the shoes with no connection to his facial identity creates the ideology of the unknown.
Introduction to characters; my finding were the stereotypical 'blonde, white female virgin', who is typically the victim in slasher movies. The textual evidence for this is; the close up of her facial expressions, which could connote that she is the victim, also the long shot of her running, conveys she is escaping her fear or the idea of being a victim. Also we are introduced to the villain, the textual evidence for this is the close up shot of the shoes, weapons, the over the shoulder shot of him within his surroundings and the close up of his hands, all of these elements convey he is the villain.
Setting up the plot; the idea of a villain and victim, which links to the good vs evil theme. This is shown through the woman walking/running away and the camera following her movement this creates tension for the audience, as she is in an unknown environment.
Pace and rhythm, editing/mise en scene/camera shots; establishing close up shots are used to show the 'mysterious' figure with weapons. A long shot of the female is used to show isolation, as well as close ups onto her facial expressions which conveys her fear. The mid shot of the sheep conveys she is out of her comfort zone and creates disorientation.
Mood and tone (non diegetic music); the giggling and "haha" sounds are asynchronous sounds and connote fear and intimidation towards the audience. The no beat music creates disruption, also the girl screaming conveys negativity and violence, this could relate to her possibly being the protagonist of the film.
Stock settings; the stock setting could possibly be a warehouse, as this is established at the start of the opening through the pipes, coils and leaking steam.
Stock characters; villain, this is seen through his identity being covered connoting mystery and lack of identity. Also the victim is identified as a young teenager who is represented as helpless, this enforces dominant ideology that females cannot look after themselves and need male assistance.
Themes; a psychological thriller, this is seen through the sharpening of weapons by the villain, the teenage girl in front of the fire which has connotations of danger, also a close up of her facial expressions. Suddenly the teenage girl wakes up and the audience realise that it was just a dream, until the close up of the rips in her nightgown is present which shows it could be true and therefore show verisimilitude.
The reason why I have chosen to format my analysis like this is because I have always analysed film openings in an essay format and I believe that this is the best way to conclude the codes and conventions and describe what they connote.
Creation of enigma; my findings were that the possibly male character could be the killer, who is plotting something secretively. The textual evidence for this is the low angle camera shot onto the shoes, where his feet slowly drag behind him; the shot of just the shoes with no connection to his facial identity creates the ideology of the unknown.
Introduction to characters; my finding were the stereotypical 'blonde, white female virgin', who is typically the victim in slasher movies. The textual evidence for this is; the close up of her facial expressions, which could connote that she is the victim, also the long shot of her running, conveys she is escaping her fear or the idea of being a victim. Also we are introduced to the villain, the textual evidence for this is the close up shot of the shoes, weapons, the over the shoulder shot of him within his surroundings and the close up of his hands, all of these elements convey he is the villain.
Setting up the plot; the idea of a villain and victim, which links to the good vs evil theme. This is shown through the woman walking/running away and the camera following her movement this creates tension for the audience, as she is in an unknown environment.
Pace and rhythm, editing/mise en scene/camera shots; establishing close up shots are used to show the 'mysterious' figure with weapons. A long shot of the female is used to show isolation, as well as close ups onto her facial expressions which conveys her fear. The mid shot of the sheep conveys she is out of her comfort zone and creates disorientation.
Mood and tone (non diegetic music); the giggling and "haha" sounds are asynchronous sounds and connote fear and intimidation towards the audience. The no beat music creates disruption, also the girl screaming conveys negativity and violence, this could relate to her possibly being the protagonist of the film.
Stock settings; the stock setting could possibly be a warehouse, as this is established at the start of the opening through the pipes, coils and leaking steam.
Stock characters; villain, this is seen through his identity being covered connoting mystery and lack of identity. Also the victim is identified as a young teenager who is represented as helpless, this enforces dominant ideology that females cannot look after themselves and need male assistance.
Themes; a psychological thriller, this is seen through the sharpening of weapons by the villain, the teenage girl in front of the fire which has connotations of danger, also a close up of her facial expressions. Suddenly the teenage girl wakes up and the audience realise that it was just a dream, until the close up of the rips in her nightgown is present which shows it could be true and therefore show verisimilitude.
The reason why I have chosen to format my analysis like this is because I have always analysed film openings in an essay format and I believe that this is the best way to conclude the codes and conventions and describe what they connote.
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