Narrative codes - Action and enigma Codes

In the opening of films, to hook the audience it is a good thing to pose questions and answer some of them. The best films are those that can balance out the action and enigma codes. The audience needs to know what is going on so that they can follow the plot; however the films also needs to hold back information from the audience so they have a reason to keep watching. 


Audiences likes to try and guess what's going on and what's going to happen next but if they know all of the information it takes away the thrill and excitement of it.


On the other hand, if the film poses lots of questions and does not give the audience hardly any answers, the audience can become annoyed and the film is not a success.  


Definitions: 
Enigma Code - an enigma code is the question that the film poses. Sometimes enigma codes are answered almost instantly but sometimes they can be answered later on in the film. Enigma codes can be very significant or they can be little.

Action Code - An action code is the answer to the enigma code. Action codes inform the audience of any relevant information which could help them understand the plot better.


The silence of the Lambs - Action and Enigma Codes in the opening

Who is she?                                      Clarice Starling
Who is Hannibal Lector?                  Not answered in opeining
Is there a link between Lector and Bill?             Not answered

Where is she?                                     FBI training HQ 

Why was she chosen?                       Hardworking -sweat around the collar of her jumper and the fact she was training of her own accord

Why is she running?                                She's training