Conventions:
Props:
Costume:

Setting:
Another aspect of the opening sequence that really establishes the thriller genre is the setting of the film. Conventionally the setting of a thriller would be a mysterious, perhaps rural, although this is not always the case, and quiet place. This is exactly the setting for Se7en. For the majority of the time that is spent outside during the opening sequence it is raining. This helps to create a dull atmosphere which is needed for the murders. If it was really sunny and hot and Mills and Somerset came in wearing shorts a t-shirt the audience would not realise instantly that it was a thriller film and that also a murder has taken place as usually sun is associated with being happy and rain with being sadness. The setting of a city and Mills' flat allows the audience to relate to the film in a much more personal way, as it makes it appear more plausible for the films to be happening within their own city.
Stock Characters:
In all thriller films there are universal or stock characters that you would expect to see. This may include a villain, a victim, and the police. The stock characters in Se7en follow pretty much exactly what you would expect. John Doe is the criminal and mass murderer. There is more than one victim as Doe kills six people, the seventh being himself. However we do not actually see John Doe in the opening sequence or know his 'name' but we know of his existance. Finally Mills and Somerset play the parts of the detectives or people that are going to solve the crime.
Stock Events:
Codes:

It is important for all films of whichever genre to contain a variety of camera ranges, in order to keep the audience engaged and to provide variety. In the opening title of Se7en lots of close up shots are used to show different parts of the case. This picture of Doe's fingers among others gives the audience an insight into how he committed and planned the murders. Each shot reveals more to the story but you do not gather the entire meaning until later in the film. Long establishing shots set the scene of the film.
Camera angle:
The personality and characteristics of Somerset and Mills (Brad Pitt) is defined by the camera angles used on them. When we first see Somerset and Mills in the same shot a low camera angle is used. This portrays them both as strong characters, not weak which would have been implied by using a high camera angle. Throughout the opening sequence Somerset and Mills are almost always presented using a low camera angle so the idea of them being strong and respectable is carried on throughout the opening sequence.

Composition:
The composition used at the beginning of the film of Somerset is very telling. He is placed in the centre of the frame which suggests that he is trustworthy and honourable opposed to being spiteful and untrustworthy in which case he would have been placed at the side of the shot.
During the car scene the shots are taken from over the shoulders of Somerset and Mills. They also use the 180˚ shot, where they flip from each of the characters for their speech. In this the camera angle used is the same for the both of them; therefore it is evident that they are equal in terms of authority. In spite of this, although this does suggest they are equal Somerset is driving, just like a parent would drive their child everywhere Somerset is driving Mills which could imply he does have authority over him.
POV:
All of the pictures during these two minutes are taken as if from the point of view of the criminal. It is quite usual for these pictures to be taken at obscure angles representing the corruption and insanity of Doe’s mind. As the audience is seeing things from his point of view it helps to make them feel as if there are in the film, they are this insane man and they are planning these murders. This can make them feel consumed and as though they are actually living through this fear and tension that is created by all the elements in the title sequence.
Editing & Music:
The music and editing throughout this sequence both have a massive effect on making the film fit into the thriller genre. Fincher has chosen a very unpleasing song to listen to, that accompanies the credits, and this immediately creates the suspense, tension and fear amongst the audience that should accompany this genre of film. At first the music starts off rather slow but then increases as the edits become sharper and closer together. This creates an element of excitement and could represent Doe as he is completing the murders and in a way getting into his element whereas at the beginning of the titles he was just in the planning stage where he had the plain book open. The fact that the editing becomes faster could also suggest that Fincher wants to generate anticipation for the rest of the film as he conceals the details of the criminal’s plans.
Graphics: 
Along with the writing the colours are also important in establishing the thriller genre. The titles are primarily using dull colours; once again this creates sense of mystery. However every now and again there is an interjection of red, which adds a feeling of fear into the mix. In relation to the title of the film and the basis in which the film is set around there are seven main interjections of red throughout the sequence. Each of these represents one murder and adds an element of fear to the title sequence.
Lighting: Ideology is a system or set of beliefs that are proposed by a film. Se7en presents to the audience ideas of normal family ideas and values through Mills and his new wife. After moving to a new city they plan to start a family and get on with their lives. It also presents the ideas of the dangers of religious extremist ideas as all of the murders are centred around the seven deadly sins.
No comments:
Post a Comment