In the opening scene, Clarice Sterling is shown running through a dark, isolated wood engaged in an obstacle course to demonstrate her physical strength and dedication to the FBI. A male voice calls her name and a man in an FBI tracksuit is shown, establishing her as the protagonist and her role in the FBI. When she enters the FBI building, she stands out as the only woman among armed male agents, challenging gender stereotypes. The setting, music, and diegetic sounds establish the tense, serious atmosphere and foreshadow the challenges Sterling will face as a strong female agent.

1. Written analysis
Silence of the lambs
Summary of opening scene
In the first opening scene the location is set with a dark isolated wood entombed
with mist. This sets the tense atmosphere of the film and also gives a glimpse of
how the film is going to turn out.
A tracking shot is used on a young woman running through the woods, giving us
the answer of whom the main character is. She then runs towards an obstacle
course and passes through the first physical challenge and a great speed. This
gives us the idea that she is of fit shape and a strong dedicated character to what
she does.
Once she has passed the first obstacle the tracking shot comes to a halt as she
continues to run. Dialogue is heard coming from an asynchronous source
shouting the name sterling. It is of a man’s voice so we know its not her and we
find out her name is sterling. The source of the voice comes into screen revealing
to be of a man in a tracksuit. The trackshot then begins to follow him, as heads
towards sterling, notifying her that she is needed somewhere else. She then
heads off and the man turns revealing his costume to show ‘FBI’ on his cap. This
now sets the main characters background story of being a strong dedicated
female working for the FBI know as the character ‘sterling’.
Her character is already of what seems to be a strong type both physically and
mentally, which is quite un-common for main characters in a thriller. This could
possibly mean that the incidents that are about to occur can even over power the
strong minded such as sterling.
In the next scene it is very clear that she works for the FBI as she is walking
through corridors loaded with fellow FBI employees working with guns. She is
also a character challenging the stereotypical role of the average female by being
this strong empowering type working in a job usually predicted to be of a males
criteria. This is also further shown when she enters an elevator full of men in red
polo shirts while is the only one in grey. This singles her out from everyone else
especially in the environment she is in.
Locations
In the first part of the opening scene, the setting is of a large dimly lit wood. This
emphasizes isolation giving a tense and eerie feel to the first opening scene
already setting forth an idea of what’s to come. The bare trees and very faint
wash of blue in the mist adds more to this already tense atmosphere. An assault
course is then revealed showing her to be not of the stereotypical female
category. The woods and assault course are there to represent the physically and
mental challenges that she must take later on and the isolation further explains
that she will be on her own through out it all and its up to her mental strength to
help find her way through.

2. When she enters the building a prominent grey theme is set on the walls and
shirts of fellow male employees showing there masculinity and there lack of care
of colour setting them further into the stereotypical male. Sterling is also dressed
in grey showing her to be just like them and far away form what is expected of a
female stereotype. Guns and gadgets are also placed around the room further
emphasizing the male workforce.
The grey continues with a light blue and brown introducing more of the
seriousness of the FBI and workforce behind it giving a more serious tone to the
shots.
Characters
The first character shown is obviously set to be the main character throughout
the production, known as Clarice sterling. She is used in every shot definitely
setting her as the protagonist.
She is of a more masculine side to the female stereotype with her look of being
unglamorous, sweaty and masculine. She also stands out like a sore thumb, as
she is small and female among all of the surrounding males.
Sound
The music at the beginning is orchestral in a minor key adding to the tension
already set by the camera angles and setting. The music gives this uneasy feel
further predicting the idea of how eerie the film is going to get.
Diegetic sound is also heavily used when she is heading towards the building.
The sounds of several different gunshots, marching and helicopter’s are heard
giving the idea of the seriousness the FBI are and also her character.
Screen titles
The screen titles are frequent and simple no flashy editing has ben used its just
straight to the point, which relates to the film and the atmosphere that they are
being used in.