Opening title sequence analysis Seven Opening title sequence analysis By Elise James

Locations/setting The whole opening title sequence is mainly in one location with very little suggestion of where it is. From the acting and props you can tell that you are in the antagonist’s layer or hideout. The sequence is also very dark so shows that they are somewhere hidden. The title sequence only uses only one location until the end where there is a shot of the city streets to show where the film is set. The end where the city location is shown suggest to the audience that the antagonist is based in the city somewhere. During the sequence you see the character working at a work station in the building of wherever they are.

Lighting/ colour stock The lighting throughout the opening title sequence for se7en is very dark with a single spotlight on important pieces in the image. Using a dark image shows you that you are in the antagonist’s layer/room. The dark image keeps them hidden in there room with very little being shown of what they are doing or what they may want people to see. At the end of the title sequence there is mainly a blue/grey tinge to the lighting to show that it may be located in a city or dark urban area. There is also a shadow of the antagonist which sometimes goes across the picture which shows the audience that they are a dark and gloomy person. Using dark colours for the title sequence shows the audience that it might be a dark storyline for the film and it prepares them for it. By using very little colouring in the title sequence shows that the character is dark themselves.

Props and costume During the opening title sequence, many different props are used which shows the audience a little bit more about the character that we have not seen yet. The different props used show that the character is the antagonist in the film and also shows that they are very organised in what they do. By them measuring everything they do and stitching their work together shows that this may have something big to do with the plot as it is all shown close up on the book and his hands. The characters hands and fingers are stained and have dirt all over them which makes the audience wonder about them. Also with the characters hands being dirty it could suggest that they my have hidden a body or a weapon in a field or somewhere similar. The Plaster on their finger could suggest many things such as: They have cut themselves on a sharp object before/during/after the murders, to protect their identity to the viewer or they could just be using it to protect them while sewing the papers together.

Sound For this opening title sequence the on sound that is used is music. The music used sounds like something is being scratched and teared apart.This shows a lot about the personality of the person cutting up the photos. As we know the character for the opening title sequence is the antagonist the music makes them sound twisted or have something mentally wrong with them so it fits with the character.