nightmare on elm street
What Techniques does the Director of "Nightmare on Elm Street” use to Attempt to Scare the Viewer? In any horror movie the director has to use a series of techniques to attempt to scare the viewer. This can be achieved by a variety of methods. Other than obvious variables, such as lighting and sound, one of the most common feelings the director tries to create is claustrophobia. To do this the actor/actress has to be trapped somewhere with no escape. In order to make this effective, the director makes sure the actor/actress has no one who could help him/her. Another technique used is concealment. The director conceals either the villain or the villain’s powers. In this film Freddie’s powers are hidden. This is done so that at the beginning of the film Freddie doesn’t appear to be particularly scary but as the film goes on, more and more powers are revealed, so that the viewer never knows what the villain can actually do. The very beginning of the film is a shot of Freddie making his glove in a dark gloomy room. This is filmed so that right from the start the viewer knows that Freddie is not a ghost. Small drips on the pipes can be heard in the background and Freddie's breath is heavy and menacing. This is to put the viewer on edge. Although the scene is set in partial darkness there is a warm orange glow. The image of Freddie is then dramatically cut to a close up of Tina's sweaty face as she walks down what appears to be a school corridor. She seems vulnerable and innocent because she is in a skimpy nightdress and has blonde hair. The low spooky music prepares and yet agitates the viewer. After a long build up of suspense and tension, with a sudden bang, a lamb appears from no where.