The document provides a detailed analysis of the camera work, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene techniques used in the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It analyzes how these technical elements are used to challenge horror film conventions by portraying the victims as vulnerable and the villain as a threatening force. It also discusses how various film theories, such as the final girl theory and theories of character types, are applied in the film to further subvert expectations of the horror genre.

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Analysis
Camera shots, angles and movements:
A master shot has been used to portray the stock characters of young couples 2 female’s
and 2 males this denotesthat this film challenges the convention of a horror film because
young teenagers are portrayed as; weak, vulnerable and helpless. A long shot of the sheriff
is portrayed of him holding a gun this connotesthat he is identified as strong and devises
power over the teenager’s.An Establishing shot is also introduced of an isolated house and
stock location at the beginning of the couples’ journey this conveys a sense of vulnerability
for victim’s because thissignifies that the character will be trapped and have nowhere to turn
to for help, this also links to Roland Barthes narrative structure of a horror film. A two shot
establishes a juxtaposed feeling of anxiety and fear for audiences. For example, the two shot
represents the sheriff pointing a gun towards the victims face this heightens the sensation of
fear, dread and anxiety for audiences.
A wide camera shot signifies that a female victim is helpless and weak being tied to a table
and unable to escape; this implies that this film is challenging the horror conventionsbecause
female victims are represented as victims, helpless and underpowered. A camera movement
such as a camera pan reveals that the villain is using his chainsaw (phallic symbol) slashing
and cutting through his victim’s body; this establishes that this film challenges the thriller
conventions of horrorbecausethe chainsaw is associated in the film to; danger, murder and
blood which therefore heightens the viewer’s mood of dread, terror and fear also leading to
an enigma questioning viewers who will survive and who will not.
A camera movement such as a dolly in denotes that the villain viscously cuts off his victims
arm and tortures him; this camera movement challenges the slasher conventions by
revealing blood pouring out of the victims arms. This challenges the slasher conventions
because blood is a stereotypical danger that is portrayed in a slasher film as a part of horrific
gore and violence. A camera movement such as a panestablishes that a female victim is
hiding under the table from the villain this conveys a sense of a juxtaposed feeling of fear
and terror for viewers’ feeling that the villain will jump out. A close up shot of a female
victim’s facial expression is portrayed of her as defenceless, and terrified the shot also
reveals blood around her face this shot allows sympathy and empathy for viewers.
A dolly out reveals the last girl standing was about to run away and leave the house but, this
camera movement shows her going back to help another victim crying. This establishes her
bravery and that this conforms to challenging the conventions of a horror film as it is
stereotypical in some movies that there is a last girl standing. A high angle reveals a victim
lying down tied to the table portrayed as defenceless and the villain standing up slitting his
arms and the victims arms covered in blood. This denotes that film is a slasher sub-genre
and reveal’s outrageous gore creating fear and suspense for viewers leading to invite the
audience to empathise with the characters.
Composition:
A worm’s eye view has been used repeatedly throughout the film this signifies that the villain
is portrayed as; strong, mighty and dangerous. This conforms to challenging the conventions
of a horror film as this stimulates the viewer’s mood of; fear dread and anxiety. A bird’s eye
view connotes that the female is a last girl standing this links to the finally girl theory relating

2. to many common characteristic’s such as revealing that she is sexually unavailable, curious
and intelligent.
Sound:
At the beginning of the film sound motif has been used when the young victims have been
filmed. The use of sound motif is happy and energetic music this is associated with a
rebellious lifestyle such as; sex, drugs and alcohol.This implies that this film is challenging
the horror conventions. Sound motif is repeatedly associated with the villain such as harsh,
loud sound this has been used to heighten the sensation of; fear, dread and anxiety
forviewers.
The use of diegetic sound such as screaming and crying coming from the victims establishes
that the film challenges the conventions of a horror sub-genre a slasher because the use of
this sound creates an expectation throughout the film that; death, bereavement and
disturbance will take place for the viewers to watch. This stimulates the viewer’s mood of;
fear, terror and suspense.
The use of a sound bridge such as the sound of the chainsaw carrying over from the
previous scenes denotes the presence of the villain is going to take drastic action such as
killing and slashing people with his chainsaw. This use of sound creates an expectation that
death and horrific action will occur, this therefore heightens the sensation of; fear, dread and
terror for viewers already acknowledging that something sinister is going to happen caused
by the villain.
The use of diegetic sound such as harsh sounds coming from characters voice conveys a
sense of distress for viewers. For example, the use of sound such as screaming, crying and
heavy breathing coming from all of the victims heightens the sensation of; fear, terror and
suspense for viewers this is they implied with a juxtaposed feeling of sympathy and empathy
for viewers allowing them to understand any sympathise with the victims.
Editing:
The use of jump cuts of the villain chasing after his victims with his chainsaw to slash them
creates a juxtaposed feeling of terror, fear and tension for audiences because the use of
cuts quickenthe shots and create more suspense. The use of an eyeline match challenges
the conventions of the horror film. For example, the female victim is revealed as hiding from
the villain: as revealed by the edit this is shown when the victim is looking off camera at the
villain, worried, apprehensive and fearful. This signifies that the female is weak and
underpowered and in control of hiding from the villain.
The uses of fade to black have been used just before action and the villain jumps out this
has been used to stimulate the viewer’s mood of a heightened level of anticipation, fear and
suspense, this also creates an enigma questioning audience’s suspicion of what could come
out next. The use of fast pace cuts have been used to portray and reveal extreme anxiety, a
lack of control and a unstable situation of the characters trying to escape from the villain, the
use of this editing quickens and build up tension for viewer’s.

3. Mise-ene-Scene:
Location:The establishing shot introduces an isolated stock location this signifies that
something dangerous is going to happen to the characters because this conveys a sense of,
loneliness and isolation leading them to be portrayed as vulnerable.
Iconography: Weapons such as a chainsaw, a meat cleaver, guns, hooks, knifes and
barbed wires (phallic symbols) heighten the sensation of; fear, dread and anxiety for
viewers. These torture objects also challenge the conventions of a horror film as they are
stereotypicalweapon’s used to slay and slash victims. These weapons denote that a
mentally deranged serial killer is involved; the use of these weapons immediately identifies a
mentally deranged serial killer identifying and relating to the sub-genre a slasher.
Lighting: The use of low key lighting and shadows establishes a visual colour of darkness
and hell associated to the villain. This conforms to the film challenging the horror
conventions of iconography which invites the audience to sympathise with the characters
being juxtaposed with creating feelings of fear and terror for viewers.
Props:The 3 characters clothing such as a white tops signifies that it is linked Claude-Levi-
Strauss’s theory of binary opposition. For example, the colour white is associated to;
innocence, a hero and purity. This establishes that the film the narrative structure of the film
is based on; good vs. evil, and light vs. darkness.
Theories:
Carol J. Clover’s final girl theory is applied throughout the film. For example, towards the end
of the film the last girl is standing to confront the villain. This signifies that during the final
scene the girl is masculine holding a knife trying to escape and confront the villain.
Vladimir Propp’stheories of character types that perform a function have been applied. For
example, a villain has been introduced who slays and slashes victims with his chainsaw: the
helper such as the police officer at the beginning of the film who tries to confront the villain
but, ends up killed by the villain.
Laura Mulvey’smale gaze theory is also applied throughout the film. For example, the use of
female characters such as the victims can be a visual pleasure and a sexual object of desire
for male’s characters. This has been revealed in the film when a sheriff perverted touched
victim’s boobs, this scene connotes that the female is a sexual objectification leading to a
female exploitation.
Claude-Levi-Strauss’s theory of binary opposites has been recognised within the film. For
example, the villain vs. victims shows recognition of good vs. evil, hell vs. heaven. The
various use of high and low key lighting establishes the binary opposition of darkness vs.
light and evil vs. innocence.
TzvetanTodorov’s idea of narrative theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium has also been
applied. For example, Equilibrium is revealed as a normal film would start at the beginning.
However, a disruption of Disequilibrium is revealed when the villain is introduced to viewers
when deaths suddenly occur.