1. Still Image Analysis
Silence of the Lambs Trailer

2. The setting is a dark, plain
hallway with a locked gate to
separate the areas. This
implies it s a high security
building to protect or restrict
someone or something.
The people are wearing
security clothing again
to emphasise the
danger and protection
of something. This
signifies to the audience
there is a dangerous
person or object being
contained
A wide shot is used so we can
see the location and it audience
signifies to the audience the
bland and plain setting. This is
stereotypical of a American
prison or restraining unit.
They have positioned the
composition in the middle
of the scene by using the
rule of three. This signifies
to the audience the scale
of the building and
security.

3. We can see by the
costume that the character
is a prisoner of sort
because he is wearing a
straight, plain outfit. This
connotes that he is a
dangerous man which can
possibly cause violence
and danger.
The scene is set in a cell which
has high levels of protection
such as bullet proof glass and
iron joints. This implies the
subject needs to be restraint
which signifies to the audience
he is a dangerous man.
They use an
editing flash
effect for a brief
second, this
momentarily
darkens the
scene. This
creates a
darkness about
the character
and a sense of
mystery.

4. The main prop in the scene is
the ‘surgical scissors’. These are
typically used for cutting the
skin during surgery. This
implies that the character is
going to cut the skin on the
lady. By doing this the audience
begins to feel uncomfortable
building up the fear associated
to the character.
There is low key
lighting used to
connote danger.
Also the light is
coming from one
angle so it
portrays a
further darker
emphasis on the
scene.
The composition of the scene is
simple but effective. They use a
close up so we do not see the
characters faces. This enables a
mystery feel to the audience
and also means they are fully
fix onto the gruesome
psychology building up the fear.

5. Low key lighting
is used to reflect
a darkness
towards the
character. This
signifies to the
audience that he
is dangerous or
misunderstood.
The scene is set in a ‘cellar’
like room. This connotes that
the character is hiding away
from the outside world. This
adds mystery to the
character, causing the
audience to think deeply
about the character
There are female
manikins used as
props in the
characters lair. This
signifies to the
audience he has an
attraction to females
and makes the
audience think
about what the
attraction could be.

6. The use of
blood signifies
violence and
aggression. This
causes the
audience a
greater fear in
the character.
By having the head
being removed from
the body it adds to the
gore of the film. Also it
gives the murderer a
greater symbol of
death. It has this
effective because they
use a close up of the
dismembered head to
keep audience
attention fully on the
head.
They also use low key
lighting to highlight the
head itself and nothing
else in the room. It also
gives the murder a
increased symbol of
mystery

7. They use red blood to signify
violence and death. By having the
blood dispersed the audience can
see a large loss of blood. This
makes the audience think the
murder was done in a horrific
fashion, thus striking more fear in
the audience
By having the character on a
hospital gurney it gives the
impression that the character
is in a serious life threatening
condition. This connotes to
the audience the murderers a
dangerous person.
Using a mid-
shot we can see
the character
from the waist
up. This enables
the audience to
see the extent
of the
characters
injuries.

8. In this scene they
use straps on the
character. This
signifies to the
audience he needs
to be restrained
and controlled as
he is dangerous.
The composition of the
scene has the prisoner
surrounded by policemen.
This connotes that a large
number of people need to
keep near him as restraints
and protection of civilians.
They use a mask as a prop
on the character. Masks are
stereotypically seen as
disguises and linked to
mystery. This gives the
character a more fearful
image and allows the
audience to become scared
and fearful of him.