Title Sequence Coursework - Analysis 5

The Silence of the Lambs

At the beginning of this title sequence we see a women running. We assume she is running away from something, but we don't know what. We soon find out she is running an assault course because of all the  obstacles, but it created a sense of mystery and suspense untill we find out. This scene is shot in the woods, which makes it seem scary because of the low key lighting and the mist. 
We can see that the film is thriller by the title sequence on account of the eeriness in the first scene. The mist and the darkness in the woods sets the creepy mood and atmosphere, which pulls the audience in to find out more. 

The iconography in the title sequence portrays masculinity. This is shown by the guns and other machinery in the title sequence. The masculinity suggests that this will not be a feminine film and will have many conventions of a stereotypical masculine film, for example: an action, an adventure or in this case a thriller film. 

The narrative of the film is shown in the title sequence as we see a masculine women who makes her way through something that seems to be a F.B.I building. We can assume this as we are shown agents as she walks through. When she enters the room we see her looking at some documents about a killer named 'Buffalo Bill' and then being assigned the case. This shows that the narrative would be something about an investigation into the murder. 

In the opening sequence for this film, we are introduced to the main character, which is Clarice Starling. We assume she is the main character because she is the main focus in most of the shots in the title sequence. 

In the F.B.I building we establish she is an agent as she is assigned a case and is around other F.B.I agents. As the other agents are male she stands out from them and it seems like she is the only female. Which shows the ability to fill a masculine role. 

She is respected in her job as her boss speaks to her with respect and it seems like she is successful in what she does. She does not seem like a typical female role in an film as she is sweaty, unglamorous and seems masculine. Where as a stereotypical female in film would be conveyed as very feminine, glamorous and would be ostracised. 

The non-diegetic sound is orchestral and builds tension with the bass being repeated. The track adds suspense and builds up the title sequence, which engages the audience in. The track fades and lingers for the dialogue in the title sequence. By quietening the track,the focus moves to the dialogue, which suggests the importance of it and it's contents. 

As Clarice is making her way through the building the tracks chances to become more deep and serious. This suggests the seriousness of the situation. 

As the titles on the title sequence are the colour black and in the centre of the screen, it grabs the audiences' attention and makes it the focus point of that shot. This is because it is the centre of attention. The bold font and large letters also grabs the audiences' attention and it sticks out and is hard to miss.