The document analyzes the trailer for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It summarizes the main characters, costumes, props, locations, and editing techniques used. The main antagonist is Leatherface, who wears overalls and a mask. The protagonist is Heather, who is more conservatively dressed than the other teenagers. Key props include Leatherface's chainsaw and a record player. The isolated setting and shifting shots/editing create a sense of panic and tension as the story progresses.

1. ANALYSING TRAILERS

2. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

3. TRAILER INFORMATION
Shots: 54
Length: 2.29
Characters: 1 antagonist, 1 protagonist, starring 3 others.
Location Features: Mini-Van, weary ‘spooky’ house,
graveyard
Props: chainsaw, coffin, painting, car, pool table, illegal
drugs, record player, bloody sink, bullets, needle and
thread etc.

4. CHARACTERS

5. The main antagonists identity is very hidden in the trailer,
we aren’t actually introduced to him clearly. However it is
clear that the antagonist is a man, we know this from the
characters big build and in which the way he dresses.
The antagonist is clearly dressed in working overalls
which may lead us to believe that he is a local workmen.
His main prop is a chainsaw which also lets us know he is
the main antagonist given the name of the film ‘TEXAS
CHAINSAW’. In the trailer we aren’t given much
information about him other than the fact that he plans to
kill all of the other characters and in which he does
succeed.
CHARACTERS NAME:
LEATHERFACE

6. CHARACTERS NAME: HEATHER
The main protagonist is named Heather. We
are lead to believe that she is the main
character in which she has brought her
friends to her recently deceased
grandmothers house. A few shots in the
trailer are shown of heather being victimised
by the antagonist (Leatherface) including in a
coffin located in a grave yard, tied by her
wrists in a basements and simply located
around the house. We are shown that
Heather isn’t exactly the strongest character
however nor is she weak. In the trailer we
are clearly identified with Heather right the
way through whereas the rest not so much.
This once again clearly shows that she is the
main protagonist and main character in the
film.

7. THE OTHERS.
The other three (main) characters are what seem to be Heathers companions. As well as Heather they
are all late teenagers(early twenties). However in the trailer we only see them towards the beginning in
the Mini-Van, and other times throughout the setting of the house. Straight away we are lead to believe
that these characters aren’t the straight –edge type of people, for example; they wear minimal clothes,
smoke drugs, quite disrespectful etc. We are also shown a male character wondering around finding
mysterious places which could mean that they are quite adventurous. Finally, towards the end of the
trailer, these characters are shown as quite daring as they attempt to fight of the antagonist with no
weapons what so ever.

8. COSTUME

9. LEATHERFACE’S COSTUME.
As clearly shown, Leatherface’s costume is simply a mask and overalls. Judging by the overalls we are
lead to believe that he may be an ‘ordinary’ workmen who works for his local town/village. The mask
however, makes us think that he most definitely would like his identity hidden. This could mean that he is
a local business man and that everyone around would know that it is him committing these crimes. The
mask also allows there to be a lot of suspense, in which the audience don’t know if they are to ever find
out his identity.

10. OTHER COSTUMES.
The other 4 main characters are similarly all dressed the same. All characters wear minimal clothing and
are dressed quite inappropriate. However, there is a difference in clothing with the main lead heather and
the other female character. Heather is wearing jeans whereas the other is wearing bare minimal. This
could lead us to believe that straight away the other female will die first whereas Heather could be the
final girl. The other females clothing makes us believe that she is quite flirtatious and ‘bitchy’ whereas
because Heather has jeans on it may mean that she has more respect for herself and is more wiser than
the rest.
Finally the boys, in the trailer the boys are seen with no tops on. This could suggest that they are quite
confident and popular, this could also imply that the boys aren’t as wise as Heather and make wrong
decisions when it comes to tackling the antagonist.

11. COSTUME CONCLUSION
Overall, the costumes used in this trailer can be easily replicated in my own . The use of different
characters dressed differently allows my trailer and characters to have variety. Variety in clothing can
determine different characters personality. For example my main character, final girl if so, can be dressed
quite maturely whereas the typical ‘slutty’ girl almost every time dies first.

12. PROPS
The props which have been used in the trailer all play an important role in the final film. For example we
are first introduced to a mini van, the mini van in which is there vehicle to the destination. However, we
are lead to believe that this vehicle is in full working condition, which in fact may not be the case during
the equilibrium. The mini van has been used as a prop so the audience is clearly shown that the
antagonist is smart enough to jeopardise their ‘get away car’.
Secondly, the main prop overall would have to be the famous chainsaw. Given the title of the film, the
chainsaw holds the most important role/prop. The chainsaw is used by the antagonist throughout the film
and is used as his main and favourite weapon. The chainsaw is the only main prop used throughout the
trailer especially when the trailer shows us snap shots of when the equilibrium kicks in.
Another prop that is used is a record player. The record player is used as juxtaposition when they are
being attacked and the music is suddenly ‘happy’. This creates a sense of sadisticness and cruelty.
These props could easily be used in my trailer however using safer replicas that would cause no danger.

13. LOCATION AND SETTING
The location of the trailer is set in a weary, isolated destination. Which in most horrors is typically the
case, the use of a basement also plays an important role in horrors as basements are seen as a typical
horrific place. The basement in the Texas chainsaw is the home of ‘Leatherface’ .this means that the
character prefers to be hidden away in a quite desolated place. When equilibrium kicks in, the setting and
location is in a remotely large house (mansion) in the early hours of the morning. With it being in the dark,
it allows the film and shot types to be more typically horror. This also means as there is no outsiders it
eliminates the element of rescue. Therefore this implies there is no hope for survival adding to the
tension.
This could be easily replicated for my trailer as I could use the countryside, including fields, barns etc.
I could also use the basement of a regular house and edit in some weary ‘spooky’ effects.

14. SHOTS, SOUND AND EDITING
The shot types in this trailer vary. At the beginning of the trailer, the shot types are very slow and calm
creating a sense of peace. However, shortly after the shot types staggeringly increase. The shots become
faster and shorter creating a sense of panic which also draws the audience in.
The shots start out as establishing shots which introduce the surroundings, this clearly represents
isolation. Shortly after the equilibrium has been disrupted it’s mostly medium shots with only one
character in them, demonstrating their vulnerability.
The sound and editing play a role together in the trailer. They work together in setting the mood. For
example the sound and editing at the start suggests that everything is calm however that mood doesn’t
last very long.
The sound and editing then picks up dramatically and a lot of flashing effects start to show, this allows the
shot types to become faster creating a more dynamic scene. The trailer towards the end is very dramatic
itself including the sound and editing making that happen. The editing of the shot types become more
‘horror like’ and the sound becomes more weary and disturbing.