Still Image AnalysisSilence of the Lambs Trailer

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.