The document provides an analysis of the 1984 horror film "A Nightmare on Elm Street". It summarizes the plot, which involves teenagers in Springwood, Ohio being stalked and killed in their dreams by Freddy Krueger. The document then analyzes some of the codes and conventions used in the film to create atmosphere and tension, such as the use of shadowy and dark imagery, creepy musical cues, and settings that play on common fears. Specific scenes are described to show how lighting, settings, and the victimization of female protagonists further convey the intended horror elements.

1. A N I G H T M A R E O N E L M S T R E E T
Film referencing

2. Nightmare on elm street
 A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 1984 American
supernatural slasher horror film written and directed by
Wes Craven, and the first film of the Nightmare on Elm
Street franchise. The film stars Heather Langenkamp, John
Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Jsu Garcia, Robert
Englund, and Johnny Depp in his feature film debut. Set in
the fictional Midwestern town of Springwood, Ohio, the
plot revolves around several teenagers who are stalked and
killed in their dreams (and thus killed in reality) by Freddy
Krueger. The teenagers are unaware of the cause of this
strange phenomenon, but their parents hold a dark secret
from long ago.

4. Codes and conventions
The first still image is of the reoccuring theme of chalk
over the titles which themes the obvious codes and
conventions of typically creepy music and a very
shadowed image to create darkness.
This plays on the audiences’ most common phobias
and primal fears (being afraid of the dark because you
can’t see what is there (an unknown presence) and the
associations with typical horror movies

6. The first introduction of the character’s creation was in
a playground location where there were young girls.
Stereotypically, they were in a circle holding hands in a
child’s game.
The sound used was ‘Ring a ring o’roses’ which is a
reoccurring theme in creepy music featured in horror
films

8.  The title and main location of the film ‘Elm street is
in black and white which connotes a dark and evil
setting.
 Scenes include the obvious codes and conventions of
shadows in the lighting, silhouettes and dark
vignettes. This is used to focus heavily on the
children and reveal certain things

10. Example of a scene
 Female victim, a protagonist
 Low key lighting
 Enigma code- What’s happening? Why it is
happening?

11. How is the mise en scene conveyed?
 The repetitive images of mechanics make the scene
feel very cold and uncomforting. This is shown
through the use of tools at the beginning and the
machinery that the girl is wandering through. This
could represent the productive mind of Freddy and
his continuous attempts of murder.