Silence of the Lamb- Opening scene

 

The Silence of the Lambs Opening Credits 

When you first watch The Silence of the Lambs, the title itself isn't striking. The letters of the title appear on the screen in a simple and clean font, but something about it seems off. The letters can be slightly crooked. This is a small detail, which can go unnoticed at first but after looking closing, you realize how essential this is in creating the eerie atmosphere in the film. At first, the text appears plain: black letters with white lining, with a forest in the background. The choice to make the title crooked is very intentional; it plays into the overall tone of the movie. 

So, why would the filmmakers intentionally make the letters crooked? The cause is to evoke discomfort and the set the audience on the edge of their seats before the film even begins. The slight distortion of the letters signals that something in the film won't be normal or predictable. This small imperfection in the font has a direct effect on the audience. When viewers see the slightly askew letter, a subconscious response begins. Our brains are wired to expect symmetry and order in our environment. When something is "off" or not right, it triggers a sense of discomfort. The title slide works with the dark visuals and sound design to amplify this unease. The crooked letters are a perfect example of how something as simple as font can shape an entire film's atmosphere. They didnt just introduce the title, they introduced the unsettling world the audience was about to view. 

After learning about this trick with crooked letters, I will be able to implement it into my film, with my editor, once we finalize all production.