media - silence of the lambs

1. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio Silence of
the lambs
Code and
Conventions
Findings Textual Evidence
Creation of
enigma.
At first you see a girl running through
the forest, this would create enigma as
you ask why is she running? Also the
woods is quite an eerie setting and
automatically makes you start
questioning. The music also helps in
creating enigma as its asif she is
running from something/someone
making you question whats following
her. There are also signs saying “pain”
and other words not nice. Where she
was running which could be
foreshadowing her future.
Setting – woods
Music
Introduction to
characters
There is a girl and shes running
through a forest thinking shes running
from something, then you realise she
is just doing an assult course for her
school.This could signify she is fit and
healthy and you also know roughly her
age. Then as she is running back you
see groups within that school. They
are all in groups and the girl is by
herself connoting she is vulnerable.
She then walks into a class that are
cleaning guns, this may signify its not
just an ordinary school but one for
spys maybe?
Running, assault course,
Costume, cslass and other
pupils
Setting up Plot
Theres not really a plot set in this
opening. All I can tell is that theres a
girl that is different to the rest and that
it may be a spy/assassin school. Not
ordinary. I know theyre in a school as
you can see the unifom.
Spy School?
Pace and rhythm
Editing/mise en
scene/camera
shots
At the beginning the camera uses
handheld movement and tracing to
make it feel like someone is chasing
her. The editing I quite slow which
connotes there is a lead up to
something big. I know the setting Is in
a school as there is a very long shot of
the school,the school clothing and
also the fact the man says “wants to
see you in his office”. There are quite a
few hints that make me think this is a
spy/assassin school as when she
comes to the entrance many are
training ex. Climbing up ropes,
running or even cleaning guns. They

2. AS Media Studies: Foundation Portfolio Silence of
the lambs
wouldn’t allow that in an ordinary
school.
mood and tone
(non diegetic
music)
The music is slow and quiet which
creates tension as its like its leading
up to something. Also the signs along
the way help with building the tension.