Se7en opening analysis

SE7EN Opening Analysis

We have chosen to analyse the opening sequence of the thriller film – SE7EN as we have been strongly influenced by the techniques used to make it an intriguing and effective opening.
The sequence starts with a close up of a book being opened with the shadows of a hand changing the page, it is also a low angle shot which makes it appear more mysterious. Also show in this shot is the production company ‘New Line Cinema’ which give the audience an indication of how good the film may be as New Line Cinema is a very famous and successful production company which has produced many popular thriller films. The font used is fuzzy and looks as if the villain has personally scribbled it down; this creates an enigma as we start to think that maybe the villain is writing about one of his killings.

A wide range of shots are used in during this opening sequence. One of the most popular shots used is an extreme close up; this draws the audiences’ attention to significant props such as books, razors and photographs, which may become important throughout the film. Also high angle shots are used to show us photographs of victims, this makes the look vulnerable. The montage of shots, including the high angle shot of someone’s hands looks like a plan of how the villain is going to torture someone. The tracking shot of the books shown towards the end of the sequence shows connotes that the villain is organised but also disturbed as it indicates that he has the time to thoroughly plan every murder.

The transactions of fast clean cut shots gives the audience and insight into the film, however it doesn’t give away too much; this will intrigue the audience to keep watching the film and keep guessing what will happen next.

 The actors ‘Morgan Freeman’ and ‘Brad Pitt’ and directors names are printed in the same, sketchy font, and a flash quickly which draws in the audience’s attention to the fact that it has very famous actors, which may indicate that it will be a successful film. Also these names are given at the start of the opening credits, this is the stage where the audience is more likely to be paying attention to what is going on, rather than it being at the end. The title of the film - 'Se7en' is also printed in a white scribbly font which fits in with the theme of the credits and the film. Also the title flashes quickly and then has an effect of zooming in to bring it closer to the audience’s attention, to make it closer and stand out.

 We get a quick shot towards the end of the sequence, a shot of a person which presumably is a victim, looking distressed, the use of a red filter covering the lense; this connotes violence, death and torture which are all thriller conventions. At the beginning of the sequence we see a shot of the villain shaving the skin of his fingers, this signifies insanity, and that the villain is emotionless.

 
The mise-en-scene throughout the sequence has a huge impact on the rest of the film. Props used such as razor blades, scissors and nails are all weapons that the villain may have used to torture his victims. However these aren't stereotypic weapons that would be used to kill people, this shows that the villain is disturbed and fearless. Also the references to the seven religious signs, gives us an insight into the film and creates an enigma. Also the photographs shown of the victims being killed helps to set the scene and the genre of the film.

There is no diegetic sound used in the opening which adds more tension to the sequence. There is some use of non-diegetic sound used towards the end of the sequence, fading screams, which signifies torture and death. The lyrics which come in at the end of the sequence 'bring me closer to God' gives us a clue that people are about to die.