Title sequence analysis - Se7en
- 1. Kenza Mokhtari TITLE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS: SE7EN
- 2. SE7EN (1995) DIRECTED BY: DAVID FINCHER
- 3. TITLES • The titles fade up on the screen • Font: White, sans-serif, sketchy • The sequence explores unconventional angles of everyday items such as this book. • After the screen fades, some of the titles appear on a black screen
- 4. • Sequence utilises low-key lighting to create the chiaroscuro effect • There are extreme close ups, multiple which include unconventional items • Several of these include a gauze-like material, contrasted by a metal • There is a large focus on the hands
- 5. • The part of the opening shows a series of short clips taken from different angles • The extreme close up makes it hard to distinguish what is happening • There is a cut away to an extreme close up • The different angles allow the audience to decipher what is happening
- 6. • Instead of having the titles appear on only fully black screens, the titles are places in the darkest moments in each clip • This allows for continuity in the way the titles are shown, without having to repeat the same screen multiple times • This also allows for the titles to be read clearly throughout the entire sequence
- 7. SUPERIMPOSE In the earlier extract (top) two similar clips of a pen writing are edited together to suggest the passing of time, this implies that a lot of time and thought has been spent on these writings. The second clip (bottom) is superimposed with the writings itself to accentuate it’s significance and possibly represent how it lingers on their mind. The words are indistinct, shown only for a moment and are upside down, this may be to illustrate the altered mind and perspectives of the intensive writer.
- 8. MATCH ON ACTION • There is a graphic match of cutting a film strip and then the printed image, this increases the pace and implies efficiency and productivity as one action leads directly on to another. • There remains the focus on the hands throughout the film • The scissors represent violence being used in a skilled way
- 9. RE-OCCURRING IMAGES The hand that was previously shown superimposed with the pages is shown here as a shadow, and is an interesting way to create a graphic match with the editing. The book was almost empty before and becomes increasingly fuller during the opening scene; this suggests the passing of time.
- 10. END OF SEQUENCE • The sequence introduces a theme withheld throughout the film, religion • This is shown through a close up of the word ‘God’ being cut out of an American dollar, which could represent the themes of greed and corruption • The idea of God is reinforced through the lyrics ‘You get me closer to God’ which suggests ideas of repent, sex or death; all themes addressed though the film • After the screen fades and the last of the titles appear on a black screen • It is common for the last titles to be the directors name • The audience can tell the title sequence is over because the song finishes
- 11. SOUND IN THE OPENING SCENE Sound is used during the titles of Se7en to create pace, tension and an overlaying meaning to the sequence. Throughout the title sequence is the instrumental of Nine Inch Nails - Closer (1994). All of the lyrics are removed with the exception of the last line of the chorus, ‘you bring me closer to god’ This line has sexual connotations and relates to the high that people are left after actions of lust; one may acquaint this to a psychopaths feelings after committing a sin.
- 12. ASPECTS FOR CONSIDERATION • The narrative is not revelled to the audience, however the main themes held within the film are hinted throughout • The sequence has a sense of a beginning and end • The title remain fixated on the characters hands and unorthodox activity • Very little about the character is revealed, the audience is not told a name, nor shown a face