se7en analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY

"Se7en" analysis

Throughout the opening sequence of se7en the director uses Close Ups and Extreme Close Ups. Reason why the director have chosen these shots is to make sure that the character in the opening sequences identity a secret. Just focusing on the characters hands the audience are automatically drawn in and will want find out who this mysterious character is.

The type of camera movement used in the opening sequence is a panning movement to the right displaying a various amount of books, writing and pictures showing e.g.: hand, someone's face.

The sounds and noises heard in the opening scene are similar to those usually heard within a factory or a warehouse e.g.: machinery. The choice of those suggests that the character may be planning crime or do something dangerous. The sounds are an example of non-digetic and they are also quite screechy and eerie create the sense of someone suffering.

In the opening sequence the editing is used in cutting different shots which represent character's feelings and that they are out of control the situation they are in. The double vision effect, type of editing was used to represent that the antagonist is not in their right mind or may be under the influence of drugs.

The director uses a fade effect which gives a more mysterious atmosphere, this makes the audience feel as if this suggested antagonist is hiding from someone or doesn't want to be found. It have been done this way to keep the audience guessing the identity of the character which is hidden.

The credits are displayed in a disorientated text to give the impression that things are unorganized.

In mise en scene used objects such as needles, newspaper cut outs, blood, images of the dead, razors and books are identified. All these objects are normally associated with a serial killer or someone who is not in there right mind. This would clearly indicate that this person is the antagonist in the film. It would also suggest that this antagonist is used to or has become accustomed to committing crimes; planning a murder. As the character associates himself with things to do with death, possibly planning next murder, the director shows the character cutting the skin of his fingertips. Therefore he wants to remain anonymous and doesn't want to be tracked. The antagonist does not want to be found or discovered it is given by the impression of no source of natural light typical in either a basement or warehouse which are possible locations for the opening scene. This location reinforces him performing illegal actions or hiding from someone.
The opening scene gives the idea that there is only one character in the film; his actions can be caused by his loneliness.

There is also a yellow glow which gives a more spooky effect and gives off this vibe of danger and fear. The visual style of the opening sequence is dark, gloomy and a slight glow in the background.

In the opening sequence the genre of this film indicates it is thriller or a horror film. Simply because the character and the location has been kept a secret. This kind of secrecy and dark practice are usually seen in genres such as thriller and horror. The idea of a thriller is given due to the objects in the scene and the behaviour of the character which seems to be mysterious and dastardly.
The director decided not to show the characters face; gives the audience the impression that this film will consist of a mystery, which will some hero try to find out who the mysterious antagonist is. The use of blood,

razors

and images of the dead also give the opening the theme of
death and murder.