Silence of the Lambs analysis

The third analysis is Silence of the Lambs

Creation of enigma
There is classical non-diegetic music which connotes a tense atmosphere and therefore creates enigma, the music is parallel to the scene as the main character s framed alone doing an assault course exercise very gracefully. The costume of one of the characters is an FBI uniform which can signify danger and crime as he is a detective/FBI agent. There is also a pan camera movement across a shelf full of weapons and this also creates enigma as to if they're going to be used later in the film and to who exactly is the main character as her identity is still unknown. Textual evidence includes the camera movement e.g. pans, the costume and setting, The natural lighting to connote the character as a hero and on the side of good as she is well lit by the natural, high key lighting.

Introduction to characters
The first character is a woman on her own and she is introduced as very independent and also shown that she carries out a males mentality and lifestyle as she is doing intense exercise that you would stereotypically associate with a man doing. There is also a medium close up that shows her in a lift full of men and this suggests that she stands out from the rest and is significant for some reason which will potentially be revealed later on in the film. Textual evidence is the framing of the character in the lift scene and also the non-diegetic music. The costume of the women also as she has sweat patches which can connote dedication and motivation to look after herself.

Setting up plot
The plot appears to be linked to crime and the police enforcement due to the characters; this connotes power and authority through the career of the characters present. Also, the setting we first see is in the woods which is a code and convention for a typical thriller film and signifies danger and mystery, this gives us the impression that the plot will be associated with these codes and conventions. Textual evidence includes the various camera shots e.g. the medium close up and the long shot of her running and also the setting and colour of the extract.

Pace and rhythm
There aren't any dramatic editing techniques which can connote a simplistic lifestyle and that probably she has a continuous routine for the main character. The camera follows the character throughout the extract which can connote her importance, camera movement such as arcs do this. Textual evidence can be the simple editing such as straight cuts to connote realism (verisimilitude) and help the opening be fluent.

Mood and tone
There is a suspicious mood created as the audience is intrigued to find out who she is as her costume doesn't imply anything as she is in exercise attire (tracksuit bottoms and a plain jumper). Her costume and the diegetic dialogue works as the textual evidence.