Code and conventions opening the silence of the lambs
1. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio
Code and
Conventions
Findings Textual Evidence
Creation of
enigma.
Well it starts off in a woods which then
makes the audience then think, Why is
the film set here?, so the setting
creates a lot of enigma, because
initially you don’t expect to see the
opening in a woods.
The character is running
through the woods.
Enigma is created as we don’t
know who or what she is
running from.
Introduction to
characters
Well initially we are introduced to a
woman by a triple action shot of a
woman running through the woods
and she climbs over a net. We can tell
this is the main character because the
camera is always on her.
The main character seems to be
a very strong and independent
woman who is working for the
FBI however we only find this
out towards the end of the
opening 2 mins.
Setting up Plot
An action code is used by using a
shot of a hat which says FBI, which
then we can judge that the story is
going to be about mystery and
judgement.
The plot is vaguely introduced in
the opening. We find out that the
main character is a new FBI
recruit and that she is at a
training centre
Pace and rhythm
Editing/mise en
scene/camera
shots
The pace to start with is quite quick
straight cuts of the main character
running through the woods is quick so
this almost creates tension.
The editing is quite fast paced at
the beginning which adds to the
enigma created as we do not
know that she is training. We
presume that she is running
from something or someone.
Mood and tone
(non diegetic
music)
Panic and almost tension is building
because of pace, camera shots and
camera movement
Panic, tension and confusion
are created in the opening due
to the enigma created.
