Task 14 - Conventions of Genre

Conventions of a chosen genre:

As a group, we decided on our final piece's genre - which will be a horror/thriller. We decided on this as group as we all find it appealing and have many idea's for this genre. As a task, we analysed the title opening sequence of 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' which is a horror film.

A Nightmare On Elm Street scene

As we are immediately introduced to the opening sequence, theres red lines placed on a black screen which formate into a title. The colour red automatically suggests danger, blood, gore etc. As we go on, the sound throughout is very apprehensive and foley, we hear things such as footsteps, heavy breathing, movement of tools, screams and etc. All these sounds instantly create and set the genre of Horror,  this is without even seeing the opening title sequence. They also create a sense of mystery and make the audience curious as to what happens.

The mise-en-scene definitely gives away the genre of horror. At the start of the sequence, there are many tools showing, presumably used - as they are wet and blooded, as well as the hands shown. The fact that we see the hands creates a sense of mystery as the viewer wonders who's they are. The dark colours while this is shown are very dim - creating a tense atmosphere. This part of the opening sequence is shown from a high angle shot, which are very popular in horror movies - this allows the whole image to be seen (it's shown from a macro view.)

As well as this, we get a close-up shot of gloves which has knives on the fingers - being put on the hand. From this, the audience can infer the character is now dangerous. 

We then get the title 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' the colours contrast as the red stand's out on the black, and the white stands out on the red. Along with this, the sound effects are very high pitched, theres almost an ambient sound similar to a lullaby played.

There is also a mediun-close up shot of a girl wearing a white curtain-like cloth, this part of the mise-en-scene particularly with the fact that it's curtain-like is also very popular within horror movies. The next scene is of her running, she continuously looks back as if she is being chased, making the audience slightly intrigued.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) — Art of the Title