Talie Colbourne 12F Foundation Portfolio

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)http://putlocker.is/watch-the-silence-of-the-lambs-online-free-putlocker.html (up to 02:45)

Code and Conventions

Findings Textual Evidence

Creation of enigma

An enigma has been created by her running movement as to what she is doing by running and could also have connotations of that she is running from something. The isolation of the woods is key to the creation of an enigma because it makes you wonder why she is actually isolated in the middle of these woods, the fact that she is alone is shown through the use of many long shots. The non-diegetic music has been used to create unease and tension in the shots which helps create an enigma because the audience could be confused as to what they are worrying about.

Gesture: runningSetting: isolationLong shots: show settingNon-diegetic music: create tension

Introduction to characters

A tracking movement has been used to connote to the audience that this woman is a key character to the plot, this is also connoted by her solidarity (shown through long shots) which portray her as being on her own and the focus of the audience’s attention and the fact that the narrative of the storyline has made her the first person to be seen. The woman is also seen climbing over a frame which could connote her overcoming obstacles in her life. At the end of the tracking movement and after she goes over the frame, a pan movement is used which could connote that she has turned her life around. The assault course is used as a prop to help connote to the audience that she is not necessarily as feminine as you would expect because she is completing a course which is often done by men. Her costume is key because she is all sweaty and is wearing a tracksuit which connotes that she is an untypical female character. A high angle shot was used when she was climbing up the rope to possibly connote that because she is a female who appears to be living a masculine life, she is inferior and looked down upon. You could infer from Propp’s narrative theory that the woman is likely to become a hero/victim/villain because of her solidarity which connotes that she is more than meets

Tracking movement: shows importanceLong shots: solidarityNarrative: first person to be seenGesture: overcomingPan movement: turning life aroundProps: assault course, not as feminine as seemsCostume: untypical femaleHigh angle shot: inferiorPropp’s theory: solidarity shows she could be the hero/victim/villain

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Talie Colbourne 12F Foundation Portfolio

the eye.

Setting up Plot

Her gestures are also used to create the beginning of the plot because there is a mystery as to why she is running which could be foreshadowing parts of the film. The opening scene including the woods is complimented by the bare trees (props) and the washed out blue of the sky which could connote a cold atmosphere and create tension around this character and what her role in the film is.

Gesture: runningProps: bare treesColour: washed out blue sky

Pace and rhythm(Editing/mise en

scene/camera shots)

The pace of the music picks up towards the end of the clip which could foreshadow future events of the film because the genre suggests danger. A number of straight cuts have been used to combine the extract which connote realism and set a steady pace because it is continuous. The unsteady rhythm of the non-diegetic music sets the rhythm of the extract to be uneven due to the syncopated beats and unease. A number of pan/arc movements have been used to create a continuous rhythm as they simply follow her rather than using a form of editing to combine them - if editing has been used they are straight cuts so as the continuity is not broken - this is contrapuntal to the syncopation of the non-diegetic music playing over the extract. The titles are played over the extract which help to deter some attention from what is happening due to the fact that they are bold and large, the lettering itself is simple however it proves that the title is an important part of the film due to its large presence.

Non-diegetic music: pace picks up at endStraight cuts: realismContinuity edit: realismPan movement: continuous rhythmArc movement: continuous rhythmStraight cuts: realismContinuity edit: realismContrapuntal sound: music is syncopated, editing is nowTitle: bold and important

Mood and tone (non-diegetic

music)

The mood of the opening is very solemn which is aided by the use of non-diegetic music because it begins with a slow, calm and gentle theme to it which connotes equilibrium to the audience. The non-diegetic music also creates a feeling of tension because of its syncopated beats and unsteady rhythm. The mood of thescene is shown as being mysterious by the use of low key natural lighting to signify to the audience that she is in a natural environment and possibly to foreshadow that she could be at risk of danger in the future of the film. A number of diegetic sounds have been used to

Non-diegetic music: solemnTodorov’s theory: equilibriumLow key lighting: risk of dangerDiegetic sound: realism

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Talie Colbourne 12F Foundation Portfolio

help create realism in the extract because the character is running through a forest and therefore the sound of birds, leaves and heavy breathing are likely to be present; these create the mood that this character is hardworking and will be a staple throughout the film.

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