This document provides a 9 screen analysis of the opening scenes of the horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". The summaries establish the producers and distributors, use of real footage and police records to make the events seem real, introduction of the setting and main characters, and contextual clues about the era through objects in the van. Background information orients the audience and foreshadows gruesome attacks. Establishing shots introduce the key locations and characters to set the scene for the film.

1. Nine screen analysisThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Ben, Stephanie, Annie.

2. This is the first picture that comes on screen in the horror “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” at 8 seconds. This establishes who the producer and distributor is. This is generally the first thing that is shown at the beginning of a movie.

3. This screen is shows the other producer. People who know about Platinum Dunes will know that they are very established in the horror film industry. The audience will then have high expectations for the film.

4. Background information is shown through a array of old clips and a voice over, this informs the audience that the film they are about to watch is based on real events. The idea that this is established makes the reader believe that this has actually happened and also is important to help fuel the story line later in the film.

5. This shows the audience the house which it will be set in. The idea that the house is shown in the police records will make it instantly recognizable to the audience.

6. This shows the audience the name of the title. This is an important factor in any film so the film maker can establish the film, also the way they have shown the title matches the rest of the film. It is shown as though it is a police report which foreshadows events further in the film. The fact that it is in black and a white shade of blue makes it look like an x-ray. Also the blurred blue colour in the background looks like the mask of the killer.

7. The shot of the actual police footage convinces the audience that it is real. This is a common technique used in horror films as the audience will be more scared if they think they are based on true events. This also foreshadows the events later in the film as you see some hair and a embedded finger nail. This hints to the audience how gruesome the attacks were.

8. This is an establishing shot, it gives the audience an idea of where this film is set. It also gives a introduction to the characters. It shows how they are all teenagers and don’t really care for anything. When the camera moves into slow motion it shows that time isn’t really of any importance.

9. This establishes when the film was set. This is important information for the audience as it puts into context everything in the film.

10. This objects on the dashboard of the van fit in with the era which the film is set. These fit into the mise en scene of the film again reiterated to the audience.