Seven Analysis.

For my first analysis I will be analysing Se7en a psychological thriller. It is directed by David Fincher and he effectively uses codes and conventions within his opening sequence that defines the thriller genre and creates a genre specific feeling amongst the audience of suspense and tension.

Conventions:

Props:

The props used in the opening sequence play a key role in portraying the characters. Right at the very beginning we see a close-up shot of Somerset picking up his daily items. These items are laid out very specifically and we can digest that he is a very organised, precise man that likes things done properly and seen through to the end. We can also assume what his job is as he picks up a gun, which is a very specific prop for a thriller film as it is unusual it would be featured in a comedy for example.

Costume:

Somerset and Mills’ costumes are important in portraying their character as well as demonstrating the thriller genre. They both wear very smart clothes with a trench coat so we instantly know their profession, just like we could with the props that were paired with Somerset. Although we don’t see John Doe, later in the film the contrast between the costumes, of the heroes and villain, is very prominent. The colours of their costumes are important too. Mills and Somerset's suits are dark dull colours which contrast greatly with the bright orange of John Doe's costume that appears later in the film. This suggests that he is the one that creates all the drama as orange is a bright, bold, exciting colour which implies that he is the character who holds the authority and who will be centre of the ideas proposed.

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:

There are a few stock events presented within the opening fifteen minutes of Se7en. These include, the first of the graphic seven murders by John Doe and consequently an investigation carried out by both Mills and Somerset. These events help to place the film into the thriller genre as they are events which you would expect to be address within this genre of films. If a graphic murder such as the ones in Se7en was found in a romance film, the audience would subsequently think it was a horror or a thriller film.

Codes:

Camera range: 
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.

More subtly whenever we see the two together Somerset is always placed in front of Mills. This suggests that Somerset is of higher authority or that he is the main hero throughout the film. However, at one point after having tracked a conversation that both detectives were having the camera stops moving, still using a low angle shot, and Somerset talks standing slightly closer to the camera than Mills but Mills then moves further in so that the two of them are level. This could imply that Mills role of importance and authority fluctuates throughout the opening sequence. In conjunction with this, the composition of the shots that contains Mills also varies between him being in the centre to being slightly to the side. Once again this could portray how he has to levels of characteristics; at times he is the hero but can also be one of the villains too. 

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.

180° 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:

The main titles are very typical of the thriller genre in a number of ways. First and foremost writing of the credits uses a font that is scrawny and not the neatest of fonts. The writing jitters about which could mirror the corruption of John Doe’s mind and show how he jumps from one idea for a murder to another. As well as showing corruption it could imply the repetition and obsessive qualities of his actions. When the writing in the book is duplicated this could replicate how obsessive and repetitive he is with his research or his findings and how he writes everything down that he does, in the same writing so everything looks the same. If one is watching a romance film you would expect the writing to be floaty and artistic, whereas if you were watching a thriller movie you would expect it to be disjointed, scruffy and a little difficult to read so it creates a feeling of violence and suspense, which is exactly how it is presented in Se7en.

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:

The lighting for a thriller film is typically dull and dark and Se7en utilises this very effectively. By and large the lighting placed on all the characters is dark and creates a lot of shadows. This makes the film appear mysterious and creates a feeling of suspense amongst the audience. We don’t really see a character that is properly lit until the scene in the laboratory when Mills, Somerset and the forensic scientist are all lit well. This could indicate that there has been some light shed on the case and that Mills and Somerset now have a clearer view on the case as the audience also has a clearer view physically when watching this scene.

Ideology:
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.