Se7en Opening Title Sequence Analysis Ryan Evans

Mise-En-Scene The very first shot shows a close up of a book of some sort, giving us no clue as to where the location is. This hides the identity of the character and their whereabouts, giving us the impression that the film is based around a mystery. We don’t know who the person is in the first few shots so we are left guessing who the character is within the first minute of the film, leaving us on a cliff hanger right from the start. This builds great anticipation. We are shown an extreme close up of a person’s fingers cut with a razor blade and wrapped in bandages, showing elements of horror and fear.

The entire Opening Title Sequence is structured by a set of short, sharp shots which show markings and pictures of people being crossed out. This enables a high fear factor to be established right from the start, showing the audience that this film is a horror/neo-noir thriller. The lighting used is very dark and gloomy. These lighting techniques help to establish that the character in the first few shots is possibly the antagonist because there are many extreme close-ups of dirty hands and unusual instruments and images. Razor blades and needles are shown in extreme close-up shots to develop anxiety in the audience. Thrillers use the correct props to set the right mood for the rest of the film. In this case, sharp instruments are used to create fear and evil.

Cinematography Jump cuts are also used in this sequence to build momentum in the film. It gives the audience the idea that the film is going to be fast paced and mysterious. Close-ups combined with jump cuts are used throughout the Opening Title Sequence in order to avoid revealing the identity of the character. The whole of the opening title sequence reflects well on the entire film. Hidden identities and mysteries are the main subjects and climaxes of the film and that is shown well in the Opening Title Sequence.

Sound At first, the sound is very distorted and eerie with some screeching mixed in to build fear and horror in the scene. It also helps to add to the mystery of the character. The soundtrack then begins to start and there is more of a rhythm to the sound. The screeching becomes part of the song which gives it more of a lively tone. At times it almost sounds like a heartbeat being played with the song. This build up of rhythm helps to speed up the momentum of the sequence, reflecting on the fast pace of the film itself.

Font The font used was created optically, on film, by hand. The editor has used a blurring technique to alter the appearance of the words and to make them look more horror-like. The words look pencil-drawn, as if the character has written them out himself. This adds to the mysterious nature of the character and the narrative. The scary nature of the font reflects on the setting of the Opening Title Sequence, helping to add to the creepy atmosphere that the film creates.