Teri McMinn, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the magic of social media

In L.A., no one’s who they appear to be. Teri McMinn is a case in point.

I met her Monday; she was at the front desk; managing the hotel. Nice lady, outgoing, professional. Early fifties, with fascinating experiences looming behind still-vital eyes.

We got to talking – one of those easy conversations without starts and stops. Turns out Teri was in the 1974 horror film classic, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” directed by Tobe Hooper. She was 21 years old when the movie came out.

In the movie, she’s Pam, a teenager who travels to a cemetery (along with her boyfriend and some friends) to investigate reports of grave vandalism. She ends up on a meat hook.

Teri’s proud of the independent movie, laughing as she recalls her “classic butt shot.”  She reminded me the film is included in the Modern Art Film Archives and considered one of the greatest horror films of all time. Director Ridley Scott said “Alien” was inspired by Chainsaw. The film is among Time Magazine’s top 25 horror films of all time. Its documentary style paved the way for films like “Blair Witch Project.”

While Teri’s Hollywood star faded a bit over the past three decades, the horror genre, as she put it, “grew big.” She kept an intentionally low profile for a long time and then decided to stick her toe into social networking.

She started on Myspace, then added Facebook. Teri built a profile and a following – calling herself Original Chainsaw Gal – re-invigorating a dormant fan base that had lost track of Pam. People started to come out of the ether, found her, and connected with her and each other. Next thing you know, the horror movie convention circuit came calling. Teri made some guest appearances, signing autographs at $20 a whack to nervous fans eagerly lining up to meet the former leg and foot model.

Terri comments on the transformational aspects of social networking: “The fans are everywhere! They come out of the woodwork and show a lot of love and respect. I am enjoying the ride and don’t expect a lot. I’ve developed a few hundred fans internationally since doing ‘Spacebook’ these past 10 months. It took awhile to learn the tech stuff! I now have the possibility to finally make some money after many years of being asked to do free interviews and appearances. I/we, the cast, may appear with the people involved with the making of it, and the other three remakes, later this year for the 35th anniversary.”

That’s the mind-blowing magic behind the social media revolution, the network effect.

Unknowns can build loyal followings. Invisibles can carve personal brands and become vital. The famous can become more famous. And yes, even a multi-decade-long recluse – like Teri - can be instantly re-invigorated.