Opening scene analysis

1. The Silence of The Lambs
Opening analysis
By Lauren Stewart

2. About the film
The Silence of the Lambs is an 1991 American Psychological Thriller directed by
Jonathan Demme. Actress Jodie Foster is portrayed as the main protagonist who is
an FBI Student who is assigned to interview a Former Psychiatrist and
Cannibalistic Serial Killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

3. Camera Angles
The first camera angle from the opening scene appears to be a high angle shot at a
far distance away from the protagonist to display a weak and submissive portrayal
and an inferior status at the first seconds of the scene. High Angle shots are used to
make the character seem vulnerable and powerless due to the camera being
Positioned at eye level.

4. Mise-En-Scene
The Location is an isolated forest with melancholy and foggy weather that builds up
suspense to the plot of the film. Which is a typical convention in thriller films and
use it in mise-en-scene to create the feeling of tension and mystery amongst the
audience as the only perspective the audience can see is through the setting and
location.
Most of the expectations of the
film the audience gather is from
the concept of the settings.

5. Camera Angles
The next is a tracking shot of the protagonist dressed in athletic clothing which
implies she is very athletic and a determined individual.
The close-up shot of the protagonist is used to intensify
her facial expressions the diegetic sound of her heavily
breathing is evident as she runs closer to the hill
the camera slowly pans closer to her face to imply the her
occupation due to the Jumper having an F.B.I logo which
implies professionalism.

6. Editing
The Classic Monochrome colours of the title sequence is reminiscent of The titles
used similarly Alfred Hitchcock;s Films . The positioning of the titles are in the
centre and do not transcend but stay in the centre and disappear rapidly.
To stimulate the audience’s vision on the background instead of the title.

7. Sound
The diegetic sound is the Orchestrated Soundtrack
with the overpowering sound of the string instruments
for example the violins provide a high screeching noise to help disorientate the
viewer’s audible experience similarly in the famous soundtrack in Hitchcock’s film
Psycho.
The director uses the technique of foreshadowing with the words on the tree to
imply the themes that will be evident in the theme.

8. Editing
The use of a match-cut is used as the location of the opening has transcended in a
more professional setting to explore the work ethic of the protagonist.
The diegetic sound of the orchestra soundtrack is not evident and the diegetic sound
of the workplace and people talking is now evident to display professionalism
and normality. The protagonist warmly greets her
colleagues and hi-fives them to display positive social
interaction with them.

9. Ending Shot
The ending shot appears to be a medium shot of the female protagonist surrounded
by Male workers in this shot she is portrayed to have a weak and inferior status.
Due to her height but is positioned in the centre for the audience to be focused on
her and she is the only one wearing a different colour to contrast the other red shirts
which implies uniqueness and a student status.

10. Conventions of Characters
Isolated characters are eventually presented as a victim/damsel in distress role.
And later adapt the hero/heroine role.
Police/FBI- implies legal thriller aspects.

11. Target Audience
Silence of the lambs will attract a mainly male dominated audience of the typical
young adult age. This is because they’re drawn in by the conventional male leads,
and can relate certain characters to people they know or even themselves,
connecting and engaging the audience with the film/characters (both protagonists
and antagonists). This male age range is also drawn into the action aspect of the
crime thrillers.