analysis of a nightmare on elm street trailer

1. Trailer Analysis 2
A Nightmare on Elm Street.

3. • The trailer begins with an establishing shot of a site with lots of old buildings that looks to be abandoned, this is
further influenced by all the rubble and junk on the floor as well as the buildings having smashed windows. Having
an establishing shot for the opening of a trailer is very conventional and gives the audience a slight insight to where
some of the action may take place throughout the rest of the film. A non diegetic sound of swooshing and wind is
played to anchor this frame, further presenting a creepy, uneasy atmosphere for the audience.
• This is followed by a diegetic noise of someone sounding as if they are out of breathe, like they are running away.
Hearing this diegetic sound could potentially mean that audiences may assume that one of the protagonists is being
chased by the antagonist and would therefore prepare them for the action and drama that would concur. However, the
man running is presented by a low angle shot, indicating that he is not as weak as the audience may have first
thought. Within slashers, both high angle and low angle shots are commonly used in order to clearly establish the
strength, dominance and superiority of the antagonists in comparison to his victims. This is why a low angle shot
was used in this particular part of the trailer, it was presenting the audience to the well known killer is the ‘Nightmare
on Elm Street’ franchise, Freddy Krueger. This idea is further influenced by the red and blue striped jumper Krueger is
renowned for wearing. This is a symbiosis used on all promotional pieces made for the film, allowing the audience to
link them altogether successfully.

4. • Before the trailer continues, a black screen with a red font is presented to the audience. It says “from producer Michael
Bay” this is interesting as well useful information for the audience as he is a well known and successful producer
within the horror genre. This could also entice those watching the trailer to watch the film, purely based on them being
a fan of his previous work.
• This leads onto a montage showing the audience a variety of different characters and scenes within the movie giving
the audience a full insight of what to expect. Some of the scenes show two to three little girls, creating ideas of
innocence mixed with evil. This is further implied by the voiceover that starts playing over the montage that sounds
like a nursery rhyme when infact it is not. Instead it sounds more like a threat “one, two Freddy’s coming for you, three
four better lock your door, five, six grab your crucifix, seven, eight, better stay up late, nine, ten, never sleep again”. The
song itself is very catchy and will stick in the audience's minds, continuously freaking them out as will the contrast
between innocence and evil as they then start to believe everything they once thought was pure and innocent is now
evil. Not only in the film but also in real life.

5. • Another voice over is presented in this montage, which is dialogue that says “I’m having these dreams, that there is this
man and he’s hurt” this makes the audience question all that they are seeing within the montage, what is real and what
are they seeing that she is seeing? it presents them with many rhetorical questions that will not be answered unless
they go and watch the film. Additionally, it also reflects Freddy’s power and ability in getting into his victim's mind.
• As the trailers goes on, more bad things seem to take place and weirder stuff begins to happen. An example being that
one of the characters in relaxing in the bath and then Freddie’s hand comes up and out of the water out of nowhere and
then suddenly disappears. This will make the audience jump, but at the same time they will not be able to take their
eyes of the screen.
• A high angle shot is used of Freddy overlooking one of his victims ensuring them that they have “nothing to worry
about” as whatever he is about to do to her will not “hurt one bit”. This gives the audience and insight to part of the
action from the film, making them wonder if she will survive, if not how Freddy killed her. It also gives the audience a
deeper insight and understanding of the antagonist. Freddy thrives of torturing his victims, but at the same time likes
to reassure them in their final moments, portraying his twisted psychopathic mind. The audience would not expect
much less from an antagonist within a slasher film.

6. • The trailer ends by the screen going blank and the words “Don’t fall asleep” written in red. This is a
warning that is mentioned to the characters throughout the film and will also mimic the audience
after they watch the film. This then moves on to the release date of the film “4.20.2010”, this is the last
thing the audience will see and it will therefore be the last thing they remember!