1. Film Poster Analysis Three
The posterabove promotes ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre3D’, a well-known classic
Slasherhorror. ‘The Texas ChainsawMassacre 3D’ is an example of a well-knownSlasher
thatis filled with bloodand gore. As a successful chain of Slasher films, the Texas
Chainsaw franchise has been an inspiration to me as a media practitioner. This is why I
have decided to analyse this poster.
This poster follows the general and layoutconventions of a film poster. The image
dominates and fills the frame and presentsthe audience with a visualinsight into what
the film’s narrativeis about. Only the antagonistis showcased to the audience, as this is
the only character the audience really need to know about when a film is first promoted
and the character thatthe audience are most interested in. This is because when Slasher
2. fans see Leatherface, they wouldinstantly recognise him and know this is a poster for a
film in the Texas Chainsaw franchise, whilst his presence on the poster will remind
audiences of the potential scare and gore thatthe film will present. The appearanceof
the antagonistappearsto be a convention of Slasher film postersAND when Slasherfans
see the antagonist,they will instantlyknow he is from a Slasher film due to the mise-en-
scene in the poster; providing this clue is anotherconvention of horrorposters. Other
text-based conventionsfeature also, in the form of the film’s title, taglineand
institutionalinformation. This poster generallyfollows typical layout conventionsof film
posters too. The title is placed below the main image where it will be seen only after the
attention of the audience has been drawn in by the image, whilst institutional
information is situated at the very bottom of the poster in an area thatis more
inconspicuous.
The image on this poster is a low angle medium longshot of Leatherface thatdominates
the frame. The image alone is enoughto inform the audience that this poster is
promoting a Slasherfilm. This is because Leatherface is a well-known and conventional
example of a Slasherantagonist.This is reflected throughthemise-en-scene used in the
poster. Leatherface is presentedin baggy overalls,wearing a distinctive and hideous-
looking mask andholding a chainsaw. As said before, this costume anduse of mise-en-
scene is conventionaland typical of a Slasher antagonist.This is because a mask and
over-sized costume helpsto conceal his identity, makes him appear larger,strongerand
most masculine and makes him looktwice as frightening thanif we could see his real
face. His costume is also effective in giving the audience an insight into the narrative. This
is because we can see thathis mask looks like humanflesh. This suggeststothe audience
thatin the narrative, Leatherface uses the faces andskin of his victims make the mask
thatis his trademark, which is an incredibly sinister and spine-chilling idea. The maskis
also effective, of course,in the masking his face, andtherefore, making him appear more
evil andless human.The image is very dark anddismal with the only light source being a
spotlightcoming in from the left of the frame. The spotlightis effective in highlightingto
the audience his mask and the weapon. This makes him appearmore frightening as our
eyes are drawn to his horrific mask andhis extreme choice of weapon to dispose of his
victims. It alsocreates the idea that the film is going to be centred on him; he is the ‘star’
as the spotlightson him. With half of Leather face’s features in shadow, this is alsoan
example of profile lighting; the generaleffect is to make Leatherface appearmore
sinister and dangerousas a characterand to suggestthat darknesslies within.
Due to the darkbackground,the setting isn’t very clear. However the spotlightcoming
from the left appears to replicate light coming in from a window. This suggeststothe
audience thatthe image is set in an abandonedor isolatedhouse or warehouse where
Leatherface can dispose of his victims unsuspected,with no escape for them. This is a
typical or conventionallocation for a Slasherhorroras it creates tension, frustrationand
heightened fear within the film, as the teenagersare isolated with no escape, so the
3. audience are constantlyheld at the edge of their seat trying to determine if andhow
anyone will escape alive. It also hints at the narrativethat the this film within the Texas
Chainsaw franchise will be a type of Slasher where a groupof teenagersgo away for the
weekend to a secluded town or house where Leatherface will murder them one by one.
The useof a low angleshot is very effective in this poster. This is because it emphasises
Leatherface’s dominance andputs the audience in the victims’ shoes, as it appearsto be
from their perspective just before Leatherface disposesof them. This theme is further
reinforced by the way thatLeatherface is looking down. When the audience look at the
poster, it appears as it Leatherface is lookingdown at them, which addsto the fear
created. This will draw in the audience, as it will make them experience a greater sense of
terrorand make them want to watch the film. This fear is further reinforced throughthe
use of and presentationof mise-en-scene elements like props. The positioning of the
chainsaw, combined with the low angle shot,reinforces the feeling thatthe audience are
the victim. This will add to the overallfear created by the poster.It alsohelps to portray
the fact thatthe film is in 3D. This will draw the audience into the posterand make them
want to watch the film as they see thatthe whole film will generate even more fear than
thatof the poster, as all of Leatherface’s kills will be emphasised by the 3D feature. The
chainsaw is clearly the dominant feature in the image. Due to effective positioning and
the low angle shot, the audience’s eyes are instantly drawnto it. This is typical of Slasher
film posters as it allows the sub-genreto be clearly promoted and addsto the fear
generated for the audience. The weapon is important in Slasher films as the audience
want to be reassuredthatit will be one that causesblood and gore, as that’swhat they
expect of Slasherhorrors.Once the audience clock the chainsaw in this poster,the size
and power of it boosted by the use of camera andplacement, they will be in no doubtof
the suffering and terror this weapon will inflict uponit’s victims, increasing the overall
lure of the film for the Slasher fan who adoresgore. The focus on the weapon in this
poster gives the audience an insight into the narrative.When they see this poster,they
instantlyknow it’s a Slasher horrorabouta psychotic masked killer, disposing of his
victims with a chainsaw. This will entice the audience and make them want to watch the
film.
The title of the film, ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ anchorsthe image and furtherenhances the
audience’s understandingthatthis is a horrorfilm poster. As The Texas Chainsaw
Massacreis such a well-known Slasherfranchise, the audience would instantlyknow it’s a
new versionof the classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre,which will intrigue and interest
them. The title anchorsthe image and gives the audience an insight to the narrative,as
the word ‘Chainsaw’ reinforces their idea thatthe film focuses upondeath by chainsaw.
The restof the title informs the audience of the location of the film. ‘Texas’ informs the
audience thatthe film will be set in the state of Texas, a statemade up of numerous
smalltowns. This informs the audience thatit will be a typical Slasher horror,most likely
being set in a small town where the charactersare tormented with no escape. This is a
4. conventionallocation for Slasherhorrors.The title itself is presented in a white,
uppercase, serif font. The useof the title presentedwhite adds to the overallgrey and
dark appearanceof the poster. It reflects the way that the victims will die in the film, with
their deaths being prolongeduntil allthe colour has drained from them. This adds to the
fear generatedfor the audience. It also means thatthe title of the film standsoutagainst
the black backgroundin the frame and the audience’s eyes will be drawn to it. This is an
important feature as the title of the film is the most important text in the frame. The use
of uppercase helpsto represent the fact thatLeatherface is solid and undefeatable,
masculine and strong.Interestingly,it could alsobe said that the shape and position of
the title, with the curve of the ‘C’ on the word ‘Chainsaw’and the longer lengthof the
second line of the title resultsin the title actuallymimicking the shape of the chainsaw.
A tagline features just below the title of the film. Its power to attractattention is
heightened by the fact it is presentedin an uppercase serif font and throughthe
placement. It helpsto furtheranchorthe image and give an insight to the narrativeof the
film just before the audience see the title of the film. The tagline, ‘Evil Wears Many
Faces’, is very effective in drawing in the audience. This reflects the fact that when
Leatherface kills one of his victims, he makes their faces into a mask, whilst also drawing
attention to the evil that characterises Leatherface. It couldalso indicate that
Leatherface’s evil lies deep within; it is not just at face value. The tagline alsofurther
anchorsthe image by informing the audience that Leatherface is on a rampage to kill
multiple victims.
The posteralso features institutionalinformation and the date of release. This is typical
of a film poster because the audience need to know when the film will be released and
also some information aboutthe producers.However, institutional information is
presented at the bottom of the frame in a small font, as it is not extremely important.
The release date, on the other hand,is placed underneathin a slightly bigger font and in
white. This makes the release date grabattention, without takingup much space on the
frame. The positioning of it at the very bottomis important, as it is the last thingthe
audience see. This means it will stay in their mind so, after being drawn in by the entire
poster they will know when they can watch the film.
This poster effectively promotes ‘Texas Chainsaw3D’. It drawsin the audience andgives
them a slightinsight into the narrative withoutgiving away too much. It is also a clear
and effective representationof the Slashersub-genre.
