Molly Hetherington analysis of Se7en

Post by Molly Hetherington:

Se7en opening title analysis

In order to develop our ideas further and understand an opening title of a film of a similar genre, horror. For this I decided to choose and look at the movie Se7en, although many people may describe this as a thriller movie many of the features involve those of a horror nature. This is especially apparent in the opening title of the movie.

This 1995 production of the film Se7en is categorised as a crime film, including horror elements. It was directed by David Fincher and starred Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. The music of this scene starts straight away, it is linked to mechanical sounds very similar to noises associated with clangs, having a metronome ticking and a beat, which could be linked to a heartbeat as it is synchronized. The mechanical interpretation could be linked to being un human almost psychopathic. This suggests that is very much about life, and a past pace film. The introduction of a creaking sound is very mysterious building the tension of the film, this could make the audience feel very uneasy as they may feel that they are being watched, making the audience witness this first hand, making us feel as if we are there seeing it for yourself. Although this film has many interpretations one of them suggesting age, it makes the viewer want to watch on as they want to find out what has happened and why there is this noise. There are many noises that are witnessed in this film with many of them being repeated throughout. The scratchy sound can be linked with wanting to escape or getting exciting at putting all these ideas together suggesting that they want to do it quickly, this could link to the persons character. The song in the background is Closer by 'Nine Inch Nails', as this slows down you are able to make out the lyrics which are 'you get me closer to God', this has a very strong link to the movie itself as it is about the idea of seven deadly sins. Due to the fast past and rhythm of the movie it make the audience feel uneasy from the very beginning. This sets the scene for the rest of the movie, identifying the genre from the very beginning. 

The lighting also links in with this, as it is very low key from the beginning, never really changing much. This creates a sense of mystery highlighting the genre of the film from the start.

The first image that we are introduced to if of a close up of a book looking at it from a head on position, this camera shot also makes us appear to be there as we are looking directly into the action. The book is opening a closing with the actor skimming pages, this makes the audience want to learn more and find out what is in the book. With the close up shot used it is already building the tension for the next shot.The colours used are very neutral however they are of a dull standard, being quite dark. They are beige and browns with black and white; this doesn't really change however we are introduced to red, which is immediately thought of as blood suggesting danger. The colours used almost look dirty suggesting that the book is either old or the character is a dirty person who has been working on it for a long time. The lighting helps to make this whole scene look eerie, with a great deal of shadows used. The screen then turns black showing credits that are in scratchy almost handwritten font, each of which look uneven and are placed in random selections on the screen. We can associate the fonts to have no discipline due to them being moved around. The text is also unreadable, this links in with  the past pace of the film I like how this has been done due to the effect that is has created, therefore I would like to use something of a similar nature.

The use of the black screen breaks up what is happening building the tension up with the music, working the audience making them want to see more and bracing themselves. The colour black represents danger and violence almost straight away sensing grim actions. Although we do not learn if the actor is male or female, we make the stereotypical assumption that they are male. This is because the hands look masculine, with the nails un kept and the hand being of a large size. However we do not know if it is just one character doing this, we cant be sure of this however only one person is implied. The enigma of 'who is this person?' is then created.  We also don't see his face this could suggest that he does not want to be seen adding to the mystery and the thriller genre of the film. This is apparent in the next shot that we see of it being a close up of a textured image of a pair of hands, which appear to be hand drawn. The lighting for this shot is also very dark creating the sense of mystery and danger. Due to not seeing a full person, only the hands and costume the props become very important. This is because they are all that you see, with each prop suggesting what is going to happen on in the film, having a significance. This helps to add to the confusion.

The shot of the male holding a old fashioned razor blade looks to be cutting his own skin on his own fingertips. However due to the fast pacing you are not actually sure what you have seen, leaving confusion and wishing that you hadn't of seen it. The enigma here is why would you want to do this? Suggesting that he doesn't want to get caught or his fingerprints to be tracked. This suggests something illegal.

Analysis on the opening scene of Se7en

The opening sequence for Se7en is very well thought out and created to cause a enigma. The whole sequence is a montage of clips and pictures from what we gather the murderer is reading/writing, however it could also be the detectives. This instant the questioning scenes create the perfect start to the genre - thriller/horror. This film is about the 7 deadly sins, so when watching the montage of clips as the viewer you try to figure out what deadly sin the pictures and words relate to. Of course every picture and writing is meaningful which is why the clips have been displayed. The soundtrack is very interesting in this opening sequence, song (Nine Inch Nails). As this song is playing there is a high pitch background sound this"screeching" noise is repeated often, perhaps to relate to screaming from the victims murderes. There is a lot of fast editing in the beginning creating a flash affect with the lighting. The font is creepy and jagged as if it has been scratched - this could also relate to one of the murders.

 The font used on the titles also fit into the genre which helps with the fluency of the sequence.
We also get the feeling this is how the murderers brain schemes and how it works, with the fast flashing disturbing images, relating to his abnormal thoughts. We can already tell that this character has to be a sinister disturbed person if he was going to commit murders like this so we instantly know this is the murder and feel that this openig is whats happening in the murders mind. As well as this it creates millions of questions in our mind of what is happening and if  you look closely you can see hints of what is to come in the film. This is a good thought out and clever opening sequence. I have gained interest into this opening and hope to use sections to inspire me when I film my opening sequence.

Mise en scene

To produce a high level AS horror film opening title, we researched various film titles including, Se7en, The Lovely Bones, Orphan and Tears. We then analysed each one looking at their Mise-en-Scene and what the key codes and conventions were used to create this clip. This was to increase our knowledge on horror film openings to ensure our outcome is high quality.

Setting/Prop: The setting will be set in a dark, wooden shed. As a group we have decided that the wooden shed is highly appropriate for this genre as we feel it reflects the confusing misleading attitude of the man presented in this opening. Wooden sheds are also shown in a lot in horror films for example the horror/thriller antichrist uses a shed which is portrayed as a dark place. The shed is also placed in a closed off, abandoned area/setting, which symbolizes the man's distressing background/childhood. The shed creates an enigma helping the audience to understand that his past will be reenacted on his target child. He will be either sitting on the floor or on a chair by a table, around him will be nursery rhyme books and images of the victim 'Rosie' and her  teddy bear.  The book will be our main prop as the film is based on this. This idea was inspired by the opening titles of the film Se7en. Also the use of a rose is going to be placed near the man to enhance the storyline based on the rhyme 'Ring a Roses' emphasizing the girls name.

Costume/Hair/Make-up: Dark clothing will be worn by the man, this dark clothing portrays his unknown secret desires. Until you zoom into what he’s doing he looks quite innocent, this shows how easy it can be to misjudge someone and the audience can see why Rosie trusts him. Rosie will be wearing a dress and frilly socks to show her youth and this creates an intense atmosphere for the audience as they will be suspecting something will go wrong for Rosie.

Lighting: Low key lighting will be used as in Se7en, I feel this sets the scene and is a common code and convention of a horror genre, also it will make the audience feel more alert and uneasy, building lots of tension. It also adds mystery on the man and makes what he's doing unrecognisable at first. There will only be  natural light from the windows which we will ensure some parts are in shadow and other objects will  be intensified. 

Facial expression/Body language: When zooming in on the man at the beginning, he will appear hunched over, looking down what is in front of him, he is hiding something, this will create a feeling of secrecy, creating a impact of uncomfortableness for the audience. Rosie will be presented with more open body language, exaggerating her innocence and vulnerability. This will create a attachment from the audience, a feeling of sympathy for Rosie's sake as it is implied that Rosie is in endangered. 

Position of things/People in frame: In the first scene of the man he will be positioned in the centre of the screen layout to show he is a main character in the film. This engages the audience as he is focal point on the screen increasing the sense of importance and dramatisation. Rosie will be on the left or right following the rule of thirds. This is important because it makes her look less powerful and plays the innocent one in this dilemma.

Introduction

Hello, I'm Ruby and I am currently studying media studies at AS, media has been something that I really enjoyed learning throughout year 10 and year 11 as a GCSE option. I learned a lot, and now wish to carry on learning more about the media and film industry. As well as school work I love taking photographs outside of school and have had jobs involving photography. Also I have always been keen to look further into movies and the production side of them, filming and especially editing. This blog is to share my AS work as I learn and develop my camera/filming skills and focusing on openings of the movies I will be looking intensely at horror openings as this is the genre I am going to use in my own production.