Opening Sequence Analysis - Se7en

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement

There are many close up shots in the opening sequence of Seven, these are used to give the audience a fragmented view of the most important parts or objects within the scene and also to engage the audience’s interest by presenting them with suspense and mystery. Yet, this technique is used to hide the character’s identity until the film begins which captures the audience even more. There is a close up shot of the machinery, books and glimpses of the antagonist writing. While the page of the book is turning, an out of focus shot is used to show that the hand in the background is doing something. The movement of the camera pans to the right to show the selection of books, emphasizing on how many books there are, implying this is something he does regularly and maybe even obsessively. It also suggests that the antagonist is well read and knowledgeable. There are also brief but specific shots of the photographs which appear to be quite grotesque. Also, a point of view shot is used when the antagonist is looking at photographs.

Sound 

The sounds are predominantly non-diegetic sounds and they all create tension because the beat of it is disorientated and chaotic. There are a series of machinery sounds repeated throughout as the character carries out procedures. The pace of this varies throughout as does the pitch. This could possibly foreshadow the complication and difficulty of the mysteries. Later on, these sounds clearly imply the character is using the machinery in a ferocious way. The movement of the machine/metal object echoes what may happen such as torture if it happens to be chains or any deadly weapon.
The screeching/human scream sound is stimulated by sharp noises, which increases the tension and suspension building in the atmosphere, and the tempo increase as well. These scream sounds could indicate the horror to come in the film as murders usually accompany shouts and cries for help. When the music gets faster, the audience feels as though the characters mind is more active and violent in pursuing the acts. Furthermore, the disturbing soundtrack has a thudding heart-like beat, which conveys the victim’s heartbeats and how they are speeding up possibly because of fear.

Editing 

The credits that are introduced to the audience gradually are in text font of child-like writing. There is a succession of rapid and erratic cuts in this opening sequence and the effect is to confuse and disorientate the audience. The cuts are very short and not coherent which gives the viewer a sense of confusion. The editing of cuts give the audience little time to focus which makes the viewer feel unsafe and wonder what’s happening, what’s going on and who to! There is a double vision where two of the same thing is visible - his pen is replicated, his finger is replicated, and a shadow appears. This could represent his state of mind as being drunk, psychotic or hallucinating.

Mise en Scene 

In the same way the character has concealed his identity by removing his fingerprints, the director has also kept him anonymous to the audience as we only see his activity but not him his self. A shadow of the murderer is created on book and another shadow is shown of the murderer with a knife.

Characters

The character appears mysterious, as we are not given a clear view of him. Disturbing scenes show he is evidently a criminal as he has removed his fingerprints using a razor blade so he cannot be tracked when doing criminal activity. He is also seen marking out people’s eyes and scribbling out their faces. The antagonist also rips pages out and puts pictures together in what appears to be a sinister scrapbook. He has concealed his identity.

Locations 

The antagonist is located in what seems to be a secretive lab room or a photography lab. Photos are being kept as a tracking system for himself for pleasure or possibly to locate future victims. Maybe it is kept for personal aims of killings.

Narrative/Plot 

The sinister scrapbook that the antagonist is editing have different cases in each passage shown insinuating there are several different murder cases. Therefore, the plot may be of an investigation drama.

Themes 

Serial killer, suffering, victims, death, murder, sins, danger, weapons, conscience, morality, guilt, crime, obsession, mystery, hidden identity.

Visual Style

It has a unique and original style. There are unsettling sounds, graphics and titles that are done in a distinct way.

Genre 

‘Seven’ appears to be of a thriller/horror genre as the blood, graphical and violent images indicate there is a disturbing and possibly scary plot ahead.