SE7ENResearch - opening sequences

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/#

00:16Extreme close-up. Shaving fingerprints off with a razor blade represents his criminal intentions. He is doing this so that he doesn't’t get caught. We only see images of the characters hands suggesting that he uses his hands a lot. They appear to be worn out. The razor blade has connotations of weapons and danger but also neatness and precision. This links to the ways in which the murderer may kill his victims.

00:18Morgan Freeman is a well recognised and respected actor. His pre existing fans will be interested in this film due to his role in it. The producers would have recognised this so therefore have made it clear in the opening sequence that he is a main character in the plot. The font used throughout the sequence appears to be untidy and handwritten giving the sequence an authentic value. The handwriting looks sinister reflecting the killers personality.

02:01Subversion of religious views gives an insight of the cereal killers motives. He may feel he is above the human race and the law, or could be driven to kill by his religious views (the seven deadly sins). The shot is upside-down because God is associated with Christianity but when religious symbols are upside-down they are associated with Satan.

00:03

The editing used throughout the opening sequence is montage editing. This is when a series of short shots are edited into a sequence to condense space and information. This type of editing is effective in the opening sequence for Se7en because it gives the viewer an idea of what the film is going to involve/ be about, without giving away too much of the story line.

01:01There are specific words in this image that link to the genre and also foreshadow the content of the film. Most of the sequence is made up of quick cuts and fractured editing but this shot is elongated slightly making the audience observe the specific content. The opening sequence is made mostly of close-up shots in order to put the audience on edge.

01:17The music throughout the sequence is sinister and dark. It has an increasing speed and builds suspense, drawing the viewer into the beginning of the film. This type of music is typical of horror/ thriller genres. Use of colour: red connotes danger, death and also passion. These connotations also link in with the genre of the film.

00:39

SFX- woman screaming, as the scissors slice through the film. This screeching sound creates an unsettling atmosphere for the audience because it connotes danger and someone desperate for help.

00:52

Obsessive and meticulous notes reflect the personality type of a mass murderer. This shot is extreme close-up and reflects the thoughts and intentions of the character. This is an important shot because it makes the viewer look closely at the detail.