[Quick Summary: A female FBI agent-to-be must elicit information out of the incarcerated psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in order to find the serial killer Buffalo Bill.]
In this script, I really like how Clarice Starling is introduced to us. We infer a lot about her personally through her actions.
- She's polite.
ex. In the middle of Crawford's long dialogue: "Claire notices, in the corner of the room, a rumpled cot, a hot plate, soiled dishes. She looks back at him." (p. 3)
The absence of Clarice speaking here shows us that she's too polite to mention the mess.
- She's vulnerable.
ex. "Clarice flinches as a heavy steel gate CLANGS shut behind her, the bolt shooting home." (p. 5)
- She thinks fast on her feet.
ex. "CLARICE (quickly blocking him): Dr. Chilton - if Lecter feels you're his enemy, then maybe I'll have more luck by myself. What do you think?" (p. 7)
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Another way to look at "Show, not tell" is to infer.
This allows the audience to put 2 + 2 together for themselves.
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
by Ted Tally
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