Opening Credits, Se7en

Se7en - Opening Credits

The film Se7en, produced in 1995 and directed by David Fincher follows two detectives through the investigation of a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his motive. The opening sequence to the film builds tension, and suggests ideas to the audience about the rest of the film.

Camera shots, movement and positioning

Camera work is one of the factors which helps build tension in the opening sequence. Extreme close ups are used widely throughout the clip. At the beginning of the clip the first shot is an extreme close up of the top of a thick book with a hand blurred in the background. The audience first question the relevance of the book, what book it is, why they are reading it and who is reading it. However the shots are quick and quickly cut to the next shot in a matter of seconds. Leaving the audience little time to create more questions just based on the book as the next shot is of a pair of a hands, which seem old as they are wrinkled and fingers are bent. Throughout the entirety of the clip all of the shots are close ups and there is no establishing shot which is typical of films to set the scene for the audience, however having no establishing shot helps build tension throughout the opening sequence as it creates more questions and possible answers about where and who they are. On the other hand some shots do give hints to the audience about possibilities of the film. The shot of a picture of a dead man suggests to the audience a crime has commenced therefore, could be at the crime scene or at the view of the investigator. There are many shots of writing and texts in a book, however they are from different angles. Whilst the man is writing the shot is from the side, seeing the pen as it touches the paper, however further on in the clip shots of the text are from behind as if you are looking down to read the book. This suggests the different perspectives of the film, and possibly the detectives as they are trying to approach the case from all angles. Near the end of the clip there is a panning shot of many books on a bookshelf, this suggests to the audience the opening shot is in a library. Already from the first sequence the audience knows that books and writing is a main theme throughout the film.

Sound

Another aspect which helps build tension through the opening sequence is the use of sound. Throughout the clip there seems to many different layers sound track. There is a constant base in the background which is continuous throughout the entire clip. Which consists of two beats and then a cymbal. What overlaps this continuous beat however is what helps build tension as it is constantly changing in pitch and tempo. At the beginning of the clip it starts with the what seems like an explosion or a harsh sound which then introduces the background sound. This explosion time sound also carries throughout the clip. It often is followed by a scream, which sounds female, which is a contrast to the picture which is seen on the screen as it is male, suggesting to the audience that there is more than just the one murder. Towards the end of the clip the tempo increases and a heavier base comes in. This makes the audience feel something is about to happen and the music is building up to the climax. Then the base cuts out and there is one line of lyrics, where a male voice says 'You get me closer to God' this line is shown right after the word 'God' is cut out of a newspaper article. Suggesting to the audience that the film is going to have a religious influence.

Editing

Editing is important in the opening sequence for Se7en. There any many edits which are repeated throughout the clip to create effect. Quick straights cuts are used widely throughout the clip. Allowing the clip to show a lot of different shots in a short space of time. Which seems ironic as the audience gets shown a lot of clips yet still knows little information about the film as nothing is established. The cuts often show the same thing from a different angle, for example when the fingertips are holding the small blade, three cuts are used but show the same thing only from a different angle, this links in with the idea of seeing the film from different perspectives, like the detectives are trying to do. The quick cuts also creates excitement for the audience as they are quick and fast, which could relate to the killer as they obviously haven't captured him if they are still investigating the murder, suggesting he is quick and is out smarting the police. Another edit which is used throughout the clip is when the shot in the screen seems as if it is jumping. Which typically in a film would not be expected as normally they run smoothy. However the jumping is done purposely to create a feeling for the audience of uncomfortableness as it makes the clip seem rigid and disturbed. Which follows the theme of the film as somebody unknown has caused eruption, as the police haven't found them yet.

Mise en scene

Mise en scene is a key factor in portraying a feeling for the audience. In the film Se7en mise en scene is used to create tension for the audience. The mise en scene leaves an unclear view for the audience and the clips leave many lingering questions. This is used as an effect for the audience as it leaves them in the unknown and left questioning, helping to build tension. The close ups and dim lighting creates the mystery of what, who and why the shots which are chosen have been used as the opening sequence to the film. For example throughout the clip the books which have shadows on from the hands which are opening, reading and writing in them creates tension for the audience as they want to know the relevance of the book, and what book it is.