Analysis of opening sequence- Se7en

Se7en

Once again I decided to analyse an opening sequence which would benefit my own sequence and so I believe se7en will help greatly as it has elements of psychotic ideas within the characters actions whilst also being of the horror genre.

                          

Setting- It does not include any long shots of the setting however this helps add tension and enigma for the audience as the objects the character is using are typically found in a home. Therefore the audience may guess the setting is the characters house. Also, including close ups means that the audience to not see the object fully so may have to use their imaginations and creativity needs (Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs) in order to work it out.


Props- There are many various props used in this opening sequence however they all correlate together to suggest an investigation is taking place. These includes things like books,files,pens and paper. All of these objects are shown very close up to add intensity and create more enigma for the audience.

Lighting- Most of the shots are reasonably dark connoting danger and seriousness therefore setting the mood for the rest of the film. The shots are also indoors using lots of low key lighting therefore giving the setting a dull and suspicious feel about it. The colours used are mostly black and white however there are elements of dark red which connotes danger but also shows the photos being developed.

Editing- The opening is produced like a montage which creates a sense of confusion. Similarly, the fact that it isn't done in chronological order also creates this distortion effect to show the frantic creation of this investigation or file. On the other hand the transitions in the opening sequence vary. Firstly, there are some straight cuts which add a blunt effect to keep the tension high, whereas sometimes fades are used. The fading creates an eerie feel and when a fad to black is used it reflects the sincerity and darkness of the film overall. Lastly, most of the shots used are very short and sharp to keep the audience interested and create enigma of what's going on. However, some are edited in slow motion creating a much slower pace in places, maybe to show the detail in what is going on in that scene whilst also creating a more sombre tone.The clips themselves, are very distorted and this signifies the horror genre but may also reflect what is going on in the characters mind.


Title/Credits- The warped and disturbed font adds to the intense atmosphere and it is also written slanted to add to the distorted mind of the character. It is also written in a white font which stands out against the black background.

Music- The electro sound effects used for the credits help add impact to the opening sequence. Similarly, the sound effects on top of this are very hyperbolic which creates more intensity and is also a shocking contrast to the silence. Lastly, although the music is very exaggerated it has quite a slow pace to it particularly at the beginning which creates a climax throughout the sequence therefore creating more tension for the audience.


Camera- the whole opening sequence is mainly extreme close ups of various objects which creates more suspense. Also various shallow focuses are used for example on the book and this blurs out some of the image to represent more confusion and also allowing the audience to focus on the important areas of the shot. The identity of the person is not revealed throughout the entirety of the sequence which creates more tension and adds enigma for the audience. Most of the shots are still to emphasise the focus on all these passing objects and make them the central element.