The first nine shots in the title sequence of ‘Se7en’ features close ups of objects that our character who we do not know yet is using. This inability to unmask the character makes the audience uneasy yet intrigued.
·
The first shot shows a close up of the top of a book.
We do not know what is written in the book if anything at all. In small text,
the name of the producers company can be seen. The white font contrasts with
the darkness of the scene but not too much that the mystery the shot gives us.
·
The second shot is a high angle looking down on a very
detailed drawing of two hands. This suggests that the character the film opens
with is a talented artist. Here we see the name of the director but the font
used differs to that of the first shot. It is messy, looks creepy and like a
child has written it.
·
The third shot is a close up of fingertips holding
what seems to be a razor blade. This gives the audience a sense of worry as
razor blades on their own (ie, not attached to a razor) are linked to violence
and harm. There is not text on this shot meaning the audience are meant to
focus in on the razor blade.
·
The fourth shot is of a typewriter underneath a table.
Showing the typewriter partially hidden gives the impression that the item is
deliberately placed there to be out of sight. The title of the movie suggests
that the movie could be based around the typewriter. The font is again messy
and scratched giving a sense of unease.
·
The fifth shot is a close up of a pile of pages or
papers, maybe cryptic as we can also see a form of decrypting device being held
by the hand on the right of the shot.
This shows the audience that this unmasked character definitely has
something to hide. Again, no text is overlaid onto the shot so the audience can
concentrate on the actions within the frame.
·
The sixth shot is a high angle close up of another
drawing, this time of a man. The hands we see are working on the picture.
Because of this, the audience now wonder why this character is drawing and
documenting people. Credits of the casting directors in the white, edgy font
are carefully placed so they do not interrupt the audience’s view of the sketch
and the actions of the hands.
·
In the seventh shot, we see a close up of the fingers
working on something. The finger nails look old, dry and damaged. Along with
what seems to be small nails attached to a piece of tape, it is suggested that
the character is creating something. Credits lay over the top of the tape,
making the audience interested in what the hand is using.
·
Shot 8 is a close up of the fingers sewing two pieces
of newspaper. Shot 9 is the same newspaper but being cut with a pair of
scissors. The cuts we can see already been cut suggest that they are strategic
and that the character is trying to form something. The character is making something but we do not know what
yet.
The end of the title
sequence leaves the audience with more questions than answers- very common of
thriller openings. I can tell this is a psychological thriller and I am really
intrigued to watch the rest of it.
I chose to analyse this title sequence due to the use of close up of actions and also items which are part of the general miss en scene but on this close up, look more sinister than they were before when they were seen as part of the whole concept.
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