Se7en

Textual analysishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2gsEI34CE

By Joe Coquet

Directed by David FincherReleased 22nd September 1995

Location(s)/settingIn the opening title sequence for Se7en, it isn’t clear where it is located, as all we see is the inside of a room and lots of close ups of small objects, not really giving away where it is, however I would guess it was in the house of the main villain, despite not knowing who this is yet. This is typical of the thriller genre because it creates a mystery even before the film had really started and tells us that there is going to be a man who could have bad intentions. The sheer amount of things that are shown could represent the mind set of the character, very cluttered and unorganised.

Lighting/colour stockThe lighting is mostly dark, but does have some lighting to show the details of the small objects in the shot. The darkness sort of makes you feel confused and being able to see some of the objects could create worry or anxiousness as what is shown isn’t pleasant and makes the audience feel on edge.

Props usedThere are a variety of props used in this OTS, with things such as books, pens, pictures, paper and metal tools all being used to show the villain at work. All of these things are presented in a cluttered way, but the way they are filmed makes them all seem very important. It creates a strange atmosphere, making the audience both anxious yet curious. These things being showed tells us that the character is a meticulous planner, with book full of text and pictures, showing how he plans things.

Camera shots

Throughout this opening title sequence, extreme close ups are used, and are the only shot used apart from a few POV

shots. This really shows all the detail in the objects being shown, thus showing exactly what is in shot as to not create any confusion. This level of detail could also show the level of detail that has been put into each object by the character, suggesting a possessive personality. POV shots are also used a few times, maybe to show the audience the scene through the ‘eyes of a killer’.

Camera movementsThe camera itself doesn’t move much at all in this OTS, instead the things in the framed all the movement, adding significance to the things in the shot. The camera does do very quick zoom in and out of the frame, adding a strange effect on the shot that adds to the feeling of agitation.

Camera anglesThe camera angles used in Se7en’s opening title sequence are mostly high-to-low, to give the audience a real POV feel. Other angles like straight on are used to show distant things and where they stand in the shot.

EditingThe editing of this opening title sequence made it not flow very well, and the shots were cut with an edge. This could show how the antagonist is edgy and could show that the way they think isn’t quite right.

SoundAll the sound in the OTS is added in, as it’s all music and sound affects. The music is very strange and doesn’t really fit the action in the shot, further showing how the antagonist isn’t of sound mind. The sounds also puts the audience on edge as it isn’t very easy on the ears.