Seven Analysis of an Opening Title Sequence

MISE-EN-SCENE Location/Setting: In this film’s OTS, the location/Setting is not revealed. This could be the result of numerous reasons, one being the fact that the genre is a thriller so the producers want to provide the audience with as little information as possible, to keep everyone intrigued and guessing, and to hook them from the start. The image below portrays a Close Up of a man scribbling down notes. It doesn’t really indicate a location, possibly in a dark room. This is achieved because thriller films want to have that guess factor. They want the audience to be thrilled, which is done extremely effectively in this sequence, but also to be in the dark for large quantities of the film, to keep them interested and second guessing. So in an abnormal way, the specific use of this eccentric sequence sets the tone of the movie, and therefore, in my opinion, it could provide a fictional setting in the minds of the viewers, by connecting stereotypes and conventions of thrillers, even though no concrete location/setting is given. Lighting/Colour: The lighting in this OTS is predominantly very dark and dingy, as you would expect in a thriller movie. These colours (black and other dark colours) are portrayed to create the obvious atmosphere of mystery and fear, but additionally builds a level of terror in the viewers, whilst simultaneously adding a level of intrigue and anticipation, which is extremely important in thrillers right from the start. The producers want these emotions specifically created because it conforms to the conventions of thrillers, and what the viewers have come to expects in these types of films. The overall vibe suggested by the lighting and colour of this OTS is that this film is going to be dark and frightening, as its most likely based on death, killings and mystery. Another strong interpretation is that this character is most likely a very psychotic killer, with a high level of intelligence; fitting well to one of the conventions of thrillers. This is made obvious by how intensely intricate the work the character is doing. Also with the addition of glitches appearing as quick static shakes, and the dark, sinister colour scheme adds further unease when viewing, helping to create a more jagged, frantic sequence. In this sequence, no costumes are presented and no identities are shown. The lack of these features also help to follow some conventions of thriller films, by adding to the list of questions being asked by audience.

CONTINUED… Props: The image below portrays an extreme close up of a large piece of paper covered in writing. As you are watching the sequence, its fairly difficult to fully grasp a lot of what is actually happening. This could be done for the reason of additional anticipation, adding to the level of the unknown. This prop is effective as it does relate to the genre, as the heavy amount of un-tidy scribbling gives connotations of possibly an insane, psychotic character. As the disjointed writing could indicate the characters disjointed mind. It could additionally suggest that this character is the antagonist, as throughout the sequence no identity is provided, lots of frightening things are happening and everything is generally very dark and sinister. Therefore creating an Enigma, an essential part of the narrative for a compelling thriller film. This image is a close up showing a man scraping his fingerprints off with a shaving razor. A shaving razor is in the category of a typical prop in thrillers, as it conveys pain, blood, death and violence. This image helps to create a representation of the character, as it shows they’ll do almost anything to get away with what is most likely a murder, again reinforcing the idea of a psychotic character. It also gets the viewers to build an idea of what they’re about to watch, knowing that this character has no limits to the insane acts that they’ll commit to be successful. Again another stereotype of an antagonist, being extremely clever with no limitations. The two images above show a transition from one line through the child’s face to it being scribbled out completely. This, in my opinion, is a clear indication of what kind of character we’re dealing with in the film. A very dark and disturbed individual, with absolutely no morals or basic human emotions what so ever, as the scratching out indicates killing or getting rid of. This helps to back up that very strong idea of insanity in the character, and again reinforces that it’s a good possibility that this character is the antagonist. These images suggest to the audience these exact ideas, effectively creating a clever OTS, for this genre, as its constantly reminding us of how mad this character is. Additionally hinting at the narrative events to come.

Camera Shots, Angles and Movements! First Shot: This shot is described as a wide close up as the subject, the book, is taking up the full frame, with no angle. To kick start this very unique Opening Title sequence, in the viewers minds there's a gradual build of information surrounding this character, with little hints and suggestions as to how much of a maniac he is. As it progresses, it is made clear that there is a specific use of withholding information, in some ways fitting to a convention; as it helps to build anticipation. I believe this sequence was shot with the use of this conceptual style, as it fits perfectly to that essential rule of withholding information, and builds tension doing so. Resulting in an interested and active audience. Second Shot: This shot is a close up with a high angle, looking down. This is an image of two very disgusting, almost crippled looking hands. I believe that this was added in as it straight away indicates what kind of character is in this film, by portraying a very dark and vile pair of hands; an indication to the narrative. This image suggests another aspect of this man’s insanity, which is backed up by the crippled fingers and that their solidly black and dirty. As these two features are unordinary, and someone who is insane is not ordinary, therefore it creates an more in- depth analysis of the character. Third Shot: The third shot is a fade transition of a close up to an extreme close up of a tea bag releasing in water. On first thought, these shots would not be typically linked or connected with a thriller film. However, after further speculation these images could imply a connection to killing, or more specifically, poisoning. I say this because, as the tea infuses with the water, it almost looks like poison entering a humans bloodstream. Overall, a less detailed interpretation, however it could add to the ideas conveyed in the narrative later on.

Editing The editing in this sequence is very unique, especially for the time it was made. It appears as though the overall name for this way of editing is ‘Montage Editing’. This is where a collaboration of images are presented to create meaning. Its also conceptual in the style, as it’s a sequence made up of pictures. So as the viewers, to really gain a concrete knowledge of what is actually happening in this opening title sequence, you would need to watch it a couple times, maybe even multiple times. However saying this, as most people who have witnessed this sequence saw it in a theatre or I guess at home, you wouldn’t re-watch it again and again. So the point I am trying to make is that the producers have created this sequence with the intension of thrilling and intriguing, by not giving to much away, but on the other hand, what they’ve done is provided just enough information for the one time viewing audience to gain a good perspective of what is to come, how psychotic this character is. This is achieved simultaneously with the addition of the individual type of editing. Additionally, it could coincidentally increase the amount of sales of DVD’s as its such a fascinating spectacle. A collaboration of pictures to build information on the character. The pace of this sequence is quite quick, giving it another edge as to how amazing it is. The use of this rapid pace coincides with the convention of building tension in thrillers generally. There is a broad usage of transitions with the addition of specific graphics and sound effects which reflect the genre as a whole. Those being very thrilling and tension building. The sound effects being very the combination of very deep and shrilling noises. All of these factors add together to create an extremely intricate and detailed sequence, fitting to many conventions; however being individual in other features. These conventions being the building of anticipation and question asking in the viewers, and the overall concept of the unknown of what is to come in the film.

Sound & Summary Sound: The sound in this Opening Title sequence is made up of a combination of non-diegetic sound and sound effects. In my opinion, I feel that the music track applied in this sequence fits perfectly in relation to the thriller genre and film itself as a whole. I say this because the low deep bass noise with the occasional high pitched shriek noises make for a uncomfortable yet intriguing viewing experience. Also, it also appears that the injection of those shriek noises seem to coincidently sync with some of the creepy images conveyed, possibly to double thrill the audience. It could also be considered as pleonastic sound, as it seems to fit the scene of the action on screen. Also as you get more into the sequence, an introduction of more non-diegetic sounds are put in, with a building pace and intensity, and the flow increasing, therefore creating even more suspense, enticing the audience further. Overall, looking back over all aspects that make up this sequence, it is made clear that this is a thrill ride of a movie straight from the start. All of the analysis I had provided reinforces this concept. Summary: (Listing of images that give clues to narrative/characterization.) All of these pictures give the audience clues to the narrative and character types they will be finding out in the film. Whether it be violence, pain, death, they all add to the overall connotations of the character, as he methodically lays out plans for his murderous ideas!