Media Literacy Page

_MEDIA LITERACY TOPIC 2

“The Silence of the Lambs” (Jonathan Demme, 1991)

  Describe what happened in the scene you watched

Starling enters the prison and is approached by Lecter’s psychiatrist. He feels left out of the loop. This is her 3^rd visit to Lecter that he has no information on. Starling refers him to the attorney general’s office and proceeds down the corridor to be let into the area in front of Lecter’s cell.

Outside the glass of Lecter’s cell, Starling informs him of a deal from Senator Martin to coax him into giving information leading to Catherine Martin’s kidnapper before the girl’s death. In exchange for the information, he will be given a transfer to a VA hospital in New York, access to books, and a week away from the hospital at Plum Island (aka Anthrax Island, as we later find out)—all still under maximum security, of course. This all-inclusive vacation to “Plum Island Animal Disease Research Center” will give Lecter access to the beach an hour each day, which is impressive, compared to his drab stone cell.  Her suggestion that there was more than a beach on the island, like terns nests, leads Lecter to tell her, “If I help you it will be ‘turns’ with us, too. Quid pro quo. I tell you things; you tell me things. Not about this case, though—about ya’self. Quid pro quo. Yes or no…” Lecter explores Starling’s memories of childhood in exchange for information on Buffalo Bill, the serial killer sought after in this film.

It seems personal, as if you are in the cell with Lecter the entire time.

How does the scene make you feel?

This scene made me feel a bit of sympathy for Lecter and for Agent Starling.

What techniques did the filmmakers use to make you feel that way?

 His cell is contrasted by the visual images Starling creates in her dialogue. Also, his interest in her makes him a sympathetic character. The filmmakers employed every device possible to create intense emotion during this scene: dialogue, setting, color scheme, lighting/shadows, music, and framing

  How did the pacing of the scene (fast or slow) or the movement of the camera affect your reactions?

This scene creates intensity even at its slow pace. I want information, but Lecter is taking his time giving it. He also asks Starling specific questions so that her backstory unfolds slowly. The scene is paced so slowly that it creates anxiousness. The camera is never moved, just changes angles or views. This forces you to study the characters’ body movements (or lack of) and facial expressions closely. It seems personal, as if you are in the cell with Lecter the entire time.

It is rare in this scene to see more than half each character’s face at a time.

   List all the visual qualities such as framing, camera angles, colors, setting, costumes, décor, and lighting.

To begin with, the lighting and décor are dark, drab, and shadowy. It is rare in this scene to see more than half each character’s face at a time. This clip begins the scene’s interaction between Starling and Lecter where the screen is split between the two and he still is behind the brick wall on the left side of the shot, while she is visible through the glass and looks into his world. The camera sits low where she stands above Lecter, but he still dominates the shot because he is well lit—just not visible.

In another shot, we do see Lecter’s face, but it still has a dark shadow on the right side, reminding you that he has a hidden side. When Starling speaks of her childhood, we see close-ups that show her emotion and intensify sympathy for her. Her face is well lit, but left side of the frame is very shadowy. The camera is focused on her face but the stone wall background is out of focus. The shot where the focus is on Starling but Lecter’s reflection is seen in the frame seems to represent a shift in power during the conversation and we are able to see Starling’s realization. It was a genius shot, because Lecter could have done his dialogue while the camera focused on Starling; it could have been a series of shots back and forth between characters, but then we would fell less intense. Lecter is still imprisoned but this is the point where he and Starling make a connection. Just as the scene began with the doctor, it ends with the doctor listening to Lecter’s dialogue about Bufflalo Bill.

         What was the mood of the scene? 

 There is a depressing mood in this scene; there is a constant negotiation going on. How did the colors used in the scene contribute to the mood?The drab colors of the scene keep the depressing feel.

Her face is well lit, but left side of the frame is very shadowy.

         What did the costumes tell you about the characters? 

Both characters wear drab colored clothing. Lecter’s uniform has the institutional fell while it brings out the actor’s icy-blue stare. Starling’s clothing sort of blends into the background (small checkerboard on bricks). She's professional and wears a suit, but it is not an expensive one. The costumes combined with the set's shadows forces focus on the characters' facial expressions.

         How did the music contribute to the mood and what did the music tell you about the characters? 

There is no music until Starling begins her story of losing her father. The music is sad and slow, and intensifies as the conversation leads back to Buffalo Bill before it stops again. The music eases in again as Starling talks about the sheep ranch. It speeds up as Lecter reveals more information and is speaking at a faster pace. This makes you feel rushed or hurried to find the killer again.

         What did you learn about the characters from the dialogue?

 Lecter has an interest in Starling, and he even says, “I think it would be quite something to know you in private life.” Starling has suffered a lot of loss in her childhood

The shot where the focus is on Starling but Lecter’s reflection is seen in the frame seems to represent a shift in power during the conversation and we are able to see Starling’s realization.

         What were the values and opinions expressed in this scene?

No matter how a person seems, there is always another side to him/her. Dr. Lecter has don monstrous things yet has a soft side that is revealed through his interaction with Agent Starling. Lecter expects Starling’s horrible childhood to be caused by evil people, yet only decent people surrounded her. The overall value expressed by this scene is that you cannot judge a person by their looks.

_MEDIA LITERACY TOPIC 1

Type of Media	Hours per Day	Days per Week
Pandora/Slacker music	5	4
Check/Reply texts	2.5	7
Books	3.5	3
Blog	50	4
TV commercials	5	1
Movies	2	2
Phone (voice calls)	1	7
Facebook	20	4
Billboards, signs	30	5
YouTube videos	10	2
My Spanish Lab	45	4

Hi. I'm Shawn and I'm a mediaholic. It has been 12 minutes since my last media--okay, okay. The truth is I'm using media right now to make my confession. Being a mediaholic is NOT a choice, it's a disease. And those who are addicted can be my witness: our way of life mandates usage for almost everything in our Age of Technology: Bank transactions, bill payments, license renewals, paying traffic tickets, and with gas prices and time restraints we even socialize online. Media usage is like nuclear energy; it can be used for the greater good when put to use correctly, but it can fry you, too! (Brains, that is...)
I used to say (November 2008, as I recall) that I am resistant to technology and unless its for business or students-- most people have no need for all that. Well, my, haven't things changed?!?! People's jobs force them to get paid with debit cards in some places.
So. I will be posting my results before morning as I transition from phone app to laptop to --OH, never Mind!!
You get the idea.
  -->

·         Q.How do you use media?  A. Mostly for socializing and school assignments.

       Q.Which media do you use? A. I use YouTube for pulling up "Family Guy" episodes that fit the occasion and such trendy videos as "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That" and "Hide ya Kids, Hide ya Wife." Facebook is like crack in the 80's--I saw what it did to other people so I don't do it (much). The previous parenthetical reference is for Facebook, not crack. Twitter? In my opinion, that's just too much socializing. I don't want to say random things or follow anybody but Jesus, and I am too busy learning Spanish this semester to read about him--Hey, he knows the truth (sorry if I'm not inclusive, whatever savior you believe in I would follow if they don't ask me to commit suicide). I read newspapers and magazines if they are in the waiting room in the doctor's office. I do read the Armstrong newspaer on occasion. I see billboards and other advertising every day on my commute to school and any other time I drive, walk, or take a bus. I especially like the woman looking at her new car from the top of the billboard at the corner of Abercorn and Montgomery Crossroads, I believe it is.  Spin City. I just cannot get away from advertisements: I met a friend at the laundromat one day and was talking about getting a day bed and lo-&-behold: the flat screen mounted above the washer starts showing "Rooms to Go" commercial with --Yep, you guessed it-- daybeds. I do not watch TV because I believe I could be doing something else with that time. I do love to listen to music even though it is mostly assembly-line produced now.  I do not surf the Web or play video games. When I got my first computer & internet in 2002 I was so excited to surf the web and find so much information that I realized I had been on there 6 hours. I have this thing about addictions already, so I only go on the internet browsers for a specific purpose (even then I sometimes get distracted about 30 minutes, equivalent to one cigarette to a quitter, I suppose).

·         What does your media use say about you? My media usage makes me feel loved. Most of my time is spent talking or replying to people. I love people, but I do need to start back turning off my phone when I am studying.

·         Which media do you trust and why? I trust my textbooks and some youtube videos, depending on whether I trust the source to be actual footage. Almost any form of media can be manipulative.

·         Which media do you enjoy the most and why? I enjoy music the most, although not individual songs a lot of times. Listening to music is like having your own soundtrack to life sometimes—when you hear a song that scene replays in your head (where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing).

·         Are you willing to broaden your exposure to different media? The new blog has been a broadening of my media, especially since I see it is where various thoughts and interests can be shared without interference. Since setting up the blog, I have deleted my FaceBook app and only check it in a browser to keep it from being so convenient.

      If you used to watch mainly sports and action/adventure on television, are you now spreading your viewing to a wider range of genres? I will rent Harry Potter and Star Wars as soon as possible.