Personal analysis - SE7EN

SE7EN

The opening sequence starts with a close up shot of a book, this creates a sense of mystery for the viewers as they are clueless to whats in the book. This is followed up by a high angle shot looking down into the book revealing to the viewer the content of the book, after this a montage of extreme close up shots of the book happens. This intrigues the audience as the pictures as have no relevance at that point in time which makes the audience more interested in the film, as they want to find out the relevance. In this scene there are no establishing shots so the viewer is left shrouded in mystery throughout the whole scene.  Throughout the clip all of the camera angles are high angles or at eye level which could connote that the filmmaker doesn't want to give any away important information yet, and that all the objects shown are of little importance as they are looked down on.

After this scene the ‘opening montage’ begins. During this we are shown multiple different clips of what seems to be detective work. From analysing these clips we can clearly see different props being put into a file and someone looking through a book in a very rushed manner. Because we are never shown who is the person behind the files the audience is left questioning who the person is. This helps create tension throughout the audience and helps the audience get a basic understanding of the narrative. Throughout the montage there are very violent flashes of the colour red. This suggests that whoever is behind the files feels anger and is passionate about the case, this also connotes danger which also helps the audience collect a basic understanding of the genre. The transitions on the montage are very violent and happen quickly. For instance some clips are straight cut from one to another, where as some fade in to each other and some fade to complete blackness. The somewhat randomness of the editing style makes the audience feel on edge and gives of an eerie atmosphere, this helps set the dark and mysterious mood for the film. All of the shots in the montage are close ups, this is to keep the identity of the character a secret, and is also to get the audience asking questions like, who are they? What are they doing? Where are they? This hook is what keeps the audience interested for the whole film. The music in the opening sequence is high pitch and starts off slowly, as the scene progresses and the editing gets faster so does the music. Towards the end of the scene the music cuts completely and the screen goes black, this is to give the audience an understanding of what the film will be like throughout. 

The opening sequence for se7en starts with a seemingly old man lying down in bed. Just from this still we can get a clear understanding of the genre. The colours used on screen in this still are very dark and gloomy which suggests seriousness. Also because there is no establishing shot before the audience are shown this scene they are left to think for themselves and come up with a location the scene could potentially be set in, this creates tension for the audience because they are already being put out of the norm and are forced to really engage with the film.