Section 2: Silence Of The Lambs

Silence Of The Lambs

The narrative structure of the Silence of the Lambs is unclear at the start. We know this as an audience because we dont know whether the women at the beginning is on a journey or not. We get more confused with the narrative structure as an audience as a tall man with a FBI hat on comes up to the women and tells her shes wanted. We start to question what the man with the FBI hat on wanted as she goes straight away, running, could it be her boss?

There are many codes and conventions in the film ' Silence Of The Lambs' we know this because many are shown in different ways. We are made to ask questions whilst watching the film, but no answers are given eg when the women looks at the wall , things are hidden from her which shes wants to know and know we want to know. There is partial vision used in the film where the women whom is running through the woods in confronted by smog which doesnt allow us to see whats going on clearly. Also transformed city is used whereas the women was once in the forest but then goes into the police station. The ignigma code is used to help keep the audience watching the film, were not to sure whats going on so we want to carry on watching so we find out what happens to the women, whats on the wall that is hidden for her and why she totally different from everyone else at the police station, this is where the exotic comes into play as she doesnt fit in anywhere with the rest of the people at the police station.

Many camerawork is used throughout the film, panning, close ups and tracking. Tracking is used to follow the women as she runs through the forest completing the assault course. Close ups are used to focus into her face as she makes experssions and reactions to dilemmas brought upon her. A crane shot is also used as a panning shot which was following her moves up into a crane shot.

Mise-En-Scene is constantly used throughout the film. It is shown as in the lift as she is dwarfed compared to all the men around her. Also while she walks around the police station she is clearly wearing grey whilst everyone else wears red which suggests she stands out from the others and is more important as she is the main focus. The item on the wall suggests is it a clue that the women has read or is it new evidence that she hasnt read before.

Sound is used effectively throughout the film, diagetic and non-diagetic. Diagetic sound is used as the women runs through the woods the viewer can hear her footsteps which brings suspence to the viewer as she runs through, the rustling of the leaves and heavy breathing cause more suspence. Non-diagetic sound is also used as a soundtrack is played over the top as she runs through the woods, in which gets louder as she gets faster which involves louder breathing. Little or less dialogue is used which causes suspense, this is caused by if less is used it means the viewer knows less about whats going on in the film and whats happening. Dialogue is used but only at the end which is official dialogue.

The film consists of many forms of editing throughout. Eyeline matches are used to see images from the characters own perspective and height. Match on action is used, this is effective as it lets the audience feel like they are folllowing the victim? it also shows her from a different angles from a different point of view.

Finally, graphics are used at the start of the film, they are mostly black and white and are over most of the screen. White graphics are also used to show the producers names and directors.