Horrors Not Dead : October 2015

Above are the notes I made for the titles and opening sequences for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

My first question to consider for the clip regarded the documentary style construction. I believe that the opening was presented in this light to bring about themes of realism to the film. The documentary like opening is similar to a film poster including the statement "Based of real events"; not only does this element intrigue viewers but it also highlights fears of the unknown and this is quite intrusive as horror is mixed with reality.

In terms of the editing and mise-en-scene, the use of flash in the cameras to suddenly expose decaying bodies was very effective. The shot moved from light to dark with aid of the camera's flash, normally this technique of binary opposition is used conventionally, for example light is associated with positivity and happiness and darkness is associated with the supernatural and fear. But interestingly in this clip, light is used to subvert the conventions of happiness and ease as, it brings to light the reality of the situation with decaying bodies. The "zoom" editing technique is used to bring the viewers attention to the corpses and the sheer brutality of the murder.

Moving on to music and sound, diegetic flash sounds are used from the camera to highlight the investigative setting. Moreover, by placing the distraught noises of people in pain off camera, a sense of intrigue and confusion is created as there is sound but no image; this then leaves it up to the viewers imagination which is effective for a horror genre as it plays on the human psyche and emotion by leaving the occurrences in the scene up to us.

Above are the notes I made for the "Going out for a swim" scene.

The film is set in a desolate area within Texas, this element is very effective with horror as it plays with common fears of being alone which is within human nature.

In terms of the initial mise-en-scene, all seems quite idyllic as it's set on a summers day in daylight. There is a gently swinging swing in the foreground of the murder's house, this would appear daunting to the viewers and could potentially could across as a bad omen or foreshadow cynical events. Later on in the scene, there are oddly sinister objects found hanging in the murder's house, this sets the scene for morbid events to follow.

Moving on to music and sound, the tractor/machinery sounds elevate as the antagonists get closer to the house, this in effect builds up tension and suspense. Moreover, the diegetic noises of clattering from things hung on trees create an unnerving atmosphere and connote sinister acts to follow.

The next scene I analysed was the "Bringing Sally Home" scene.

In regards to camera angles, Sally is presented very differently from the family in order to portray her as the victim. Initially, wide and low angle shots are used to take in whole scenes and occurrences. Gradually camera shots turn to closeups of Sally's face being tormented by the family, her agony and anxiety is zoomed in on amungst the cacophonous and animalistic noises created by the family. Moreover, canted angles are used on Sally to portray her distress and general helplessness in the situation. Also, Sally is also presented in a low angle in contrast to the family who are presented in a high angle - this illustrates their high hierarchy and Sally's vulnerability and inferiority.

The mise-en-scene in the scene features dead bodies which are zoomed into. There are also miscellaneous body parts hung up by the stove which sparks realisation to Sally that she's in wrong hands. In terms of editing, tools of torture move into focus and as a result, foreshadow Sally's future situation. Moreover, in terms of lighting the scene is dimly lit with aspects of light above Grandpa-this appears very sinister to the audience as light is used in an unconventional way to highlight evil. The subversion is also present when the source of light is brought to audiences attention - the lampshade itself is made of human skin and skulls which reinforces the idea of "cynical light" which subverts "hopeful light".