Thriller opening 1 - Se7en

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Thriller Opening Analysis Sheet

Film Title: Se7en
Director: David Fincher
Title Designer:

Technique
Effect (Analysis)
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
Camera uses close ups and extreme close ups but at different angles to show the actual action going on in the shots. This shows significance in what is going on. There is no movement made by the camera, as the editing does the movement for it.
Not showing too much movement, relates to the structure of a religious view on life, to be a proper Christian, you have to behave as the bible tells you to behave and so this shown through no camera movement, as they have no freedom to do what they want, they do what they feel is right to them, looking at the world at a different angle, again projected on the camera angles used. This effect is used to draw the viewer in as close ups make the viewer feel they are there whilst the situation is happening, also gives them an understanding on what the film is about.
Editing – speed, style…
Speed is fast paced, also uses a certain pattern, to make it seem like the title sequence is being shown on an old projector, so quick images appear of blank screens with scribbles on to make is seem old fashioned, as the old fashioned view is a big part of the rest of the title sequence.
Fast paced editing creates tension, also in this case curiosity as the editing is so fast paced at certain points, you cannot read what is being written or what the pictures are actually of, this is to create a certain atmosphere, mysterious, very common in thriller openings, keeps the viewer’s attention.
Sound – effects, musical score…
Music is played throughout the whole of the title sequence. It is eery at first, but seems then as the title sequence goes on, drums and guitars are played and at the end of the song the only lyric is said, which is ‘you get me closer to god’, which relates to the title of se7en, as if you don’t commit any of the seven deadly sins, according to Christian view, you will go to heaven.
Music helps viewer’s understanding on genre of film, in this case, thriller music is normally eery to create a tense and mysterious atmosphere, the use of drums and guitars also add a fast pace, showing action is going to take place.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
Some clips go red, showing blood, which is then emphasised when needles are used; blood gets onto thread, which then stitches up the books they are writing. There are shots were there is a black and white hand that are separated from eachother with a red line, emphasising the cross between these two ethnicity’s can equal death/hell. Hands seem to be a main part of the title sequence, stitching books together and writing in books and over words – like pregnancy, assexual and fantasising, which connecting to the already established importance of religion theme to this title sequence, would be crossing out sins.
What goes on in a thriller based film in the title sequence should leave as much suspense as possible. As used in this title sequence, signifier’s are used to show what the film is about and will include – showing important aspects and the time it is set in. This title sequence also signifies the way of life for the characters in this film – the Christian way.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
None used.


Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
Black screens appear with handwritten names of the actors and actresses in the title sequence, relating to the rest of the title sequence as it shows a hand writing in books and stitching with needles. Also from the images used of people with brain injuries, hands in the title sequence could be said to be ‘helping hands’ researching people who need the help, helping for the greater good.

Names of the actors appear first, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, good way of luring in viewers as well known and loved actors. Theme of words being handwritten again adds to old fashioned theme in title sequence, olden day times create a specific type of creepiness in itself as punishments for being bad were a lot worse and their views were much stricter – their society a lot more structured. Example, for the religious view, if you commit a deadly sin, you are therefore going to hell, while people nowadays wouldn’t necessarily think that, as it is our choice to be religious or not. This religious view is extremely apparent in the title sequence – shows its significance to the viewer.