2. Representation Mise En Scene
•Military FBI environment- contrasts with •Gym wear- not glamorous like usual female
traditional views of women protagonists
•Opening shot of female running- Tells the •Guns/ High tech machinery- Establishes
audience she is protagonist genre and theme
•Lift scene- all males except Jodie Foster,
portrays her as an independent and powerful
female
Camerawork Sound/Editing
•Establishing shot- establishes woodland scene •Mysterious and tense non-diegetic parallel
•Tilt to “hurt, pain and agony”- Establishes sound
genre and violent theme •Huge, bold black/white text
•Jodie Foster gets majority of shots-
protagonist
•Synchronous, diegetic lift sound

3. Silence Of The Lambs- Opening textual analysis
The opening scene to Silence of the Lambs establishes the genre and introduces Jodie Foster
as in the identifiable protagonist in a variety of ways. The opening establishing shot introduces
the woodland, military environment and the fact it is a women jogging and panting through
assault course immediately tackles traditional female representations, as you would
traditionally expect a male protagonist is this kind of environment. The tilt to the signs, saying
the words “Hurt, Pain and Agony, Love it!” also establish the genre and set the themes of
violence and pain that will reoccur throughout the film. The mysterious and tense parallel,
non-diegetic sounds also establishes the psychological horror genre, the brass and strings have
been used traditionally to create suspense and tension in the film industry. Traditional female
representation was also challenged in the lift scene, the full lift packed with large built men in
similar red uniforms contrast hugely with the sweaty, exercise wear worn by Jodie Foster,
outlining her female independence and identifying her as a protagonist. The guns and high
tech machinery in the FBI environment also hint at violent theme of murder and pain. Overall,
Jodie Foster is outlined as the protagonist and themes of violence, murder and pain are
introduced subtly.