Se7en- Opening Sequence- Analysis (Research)

Camera-

This sequence mostly uses close ups or extreme close ups. This technique is very effective in an opening sequence- particularly in this one as it controls how much the audience can see and ensures what they can see is clear and hints at what is to come. Therefore little is given away but what you see is crucial to remember as it will be key in the film. For example the shots of hands/ fingers, razors, pictures, books/ research, DNA examples etc will all be relevant to the plot and capture the audience attention as they try to work out their relevance, what is going on and who the person who is looking at/ doing those things is. The close ups of these objects build a dark and tense mood and theme thus creating tension as the audience will feel uncomfortable. The film is obviously a dark, horror/ psychological thriller with the hands most likely belonging to a villain. The extreme close up is a shot we could use in our thriller as we can control what the audience sees and does not give much away only provides hints and clues.

Sound-

A continuous and repetetive slow beat and rhythm is used from the start of the sequence which contains a strong 'dum' beat which is used every few seconds in comination with a dark undertone. In addition enhanced ambient sounds like razors and knives plus sound effects like scraping, white noise and screaming are also used. All of this creates a dark tone and tense atmosphere and builds up suspense- drawing the audience in immediately and keeping them on edge.

Mise- en- Scene-

The extreme close- ups allow for little to be known about much of the mise- en- scene of the sequence however this is the point. However you imagine this person to be in a low lit room, the room to be messy and full of stuff in an abondoned industrial area (I have not seen the film and do no know if this is correct). Props such as razors, books, diaries, film reel are the highlight of the sequence and hint at their importance in the film perhaps being motifs (recurring objects).

Editing-

Straight cuts are used to cut between the close ups of the different objects. This creates a simple effect and enables the audience to focus on the objects rather than transitions- highlighting their importance. Quick, disjointed fades/ dissolves are used to cut to a black screen and titles, this matches the music and creates tension by adding an air of dark, gothic and 'weird' to the sequence. Extensive editing is used by adding images over the top of shots that move quickly and randomly- this also matches with the non- diagetic music.