textual analysis of 'se7en

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Textual Analysis of ‘Se7en’ The Se7en (Director: David Fincher, 1995) opening sequence is the inspiration for my opening sequence. It is a horror/thriller montage sequence which is what I would like to create. The opening has a creepy atmosphere, non-diegetic music and sound effects highlight the genre of the film well. I also really like that in the montage, close ups of the iconography and a character’s hands are shown but the character’s face is never shown, so you don’t know who they are. I hope to use this technique of ‘enigma’ in my opening sequence.

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Page 1: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

Textual Analysis of ‘Se7en’

The Se7en (Director: David Fincher, 1995) opening sequence is the inspiration for my opening sequence. It is a horror/thriller montage sequence which is what I would like to

create. The opening has a creepy atmosphere, non-diegetic music and sound effects highlight the genre of the film well. I also really like that in the montage, close ups of the iconography and a character’s hands are shown but the character’s face is never

shown, so you don’t know who they are. I hope to use this technique of ‘enigma’ in my opening sequence.

Page 2: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

Mise-En-Scene:Location: In the ‘Se7en’ opening sequence the location of the actions is never actually shown as there is no establishing shot or long shots of the room. However, we can assume that one person is doing all of these unusual actions and that they are all taking place in the same location. Most likely in the character’s house or an isolated location. Iconography: In the ‘Se7en’ opening we see a lot of iconography which connote the genre and theme of the film through their conventions. Razor blades, gruesome photos, bible references, needles and scribbled out portraits are all shown. This illustrates that the film is a thriller and will begin to give the audience an apprehensive feeling from the very beginning of the film. Costume: In the montage we see no characters, only the hands of a character doing things such as sewing etc. Therefore, no costume is used.

Page 3: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

Lighting: The lighting is low key but natural in the opening sequence as if to suggest someone sat in a dark room with light from outside shining in from a window. This makes the opening scarier and conveys that the featured character is isolated from the outside world, while doing all these unusual and creepy things. Acting Code: Due to the lack of characters shown there is little acting in the opening sequence of ‘Se7en’. However, we do see a character’s hands which are bandaged up; sewing, writing and messing with sharp objects such as razor blades. This connotes that the character shown is an odd and possibly psychotic or dangerous character. Positioning: In the sequence we see lots of books, sheets of notes and pictures placed in messy piles which could connote a corrupt character. However, when sewing or playing with sharp objects the character is very slow and careful which suggests what he’s doing has to be done a certain way and has a purpose.

Page 4: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

SoundMusic: In the opening sequence music is played in the background. The music begins by consisting of simple repeated beats which have a rhythmic pounding sound to them. Later into the clip the music begins to speed up and we hear what sounds like an electric guitar following the beat. This creates a feeling of tension and fear in the opening which makes the audience curious and possibly scared to see what the storyline of the film will be about and connotes the genre of the film.

Dialogue: At the very end of the clip we see the character cutting out the word ‘God’ from an American dollars note and then the voice-over ‘You bring me closer to God!’ are yelled by a male as the music comes to a close. This idea of God at the very end of the sequence informs us that the film’s narrative might possibly have relations to religion or religious ideologies. Which then conveys that the film’s title ‘Se7en’ could have relations to the Seven Deadly Sins which are the most horrific human actions according to the Bible. This interests the audience and makes them curious about the film, therefore, wanting to continue watching it.

Sound Effects: Sound effects are used over the top of the background music within the opening sequence of ‘Se7en’. The sound effects feature non-diegetic sounds of screaming, robotic noises and the sounds of metal being rubbed together. These sound effects match the iconography we see in the sequence which therefore increases their verisimilitude. In the opening we see razors and needles and lots of pictures of what look like people who have been killed or tortured. The screaming noises make the images of these victims more realistic and therefore scarier for the audience. Also, the metal and robotic noises link to the razor blades and needles we see in the clip and connote that people have possibly been hurt or even killed by similar objects which all establishes the thriller theme of the film.

Page 5: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

Camera Work:Throughout the entire opening sequence of ‘Se7en’ only a few different camera shots are used. Within the opening we mainly see close ups and extreme close ups of different objects and a character’s hands doing things such as writing and playing with razor blades. This makes the opening emphasise these eerie objects featured such as blades and disturbing images, which makes the audience scared. It also makes the audience wonder who is the one doing all of these creepy things, which makes them want to watch the film to find out. Some of the shots featured are also from a high angle. This means at points of the opening the audience are put in the unknown characters position of seeing what he is doing, which makes the audience curious as to why he is doing all of these things. It also makes the audience realise how odd the things this character is doing are and how that could possibly suggest he is a psychotic or disturbed character which will possibly influence the film’s narrative or protagonist.

Page 6: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

EditingMontage: The ‘Se7en’ opening sequence is a perfect example of a montage edit opening sequence. Which means that the opening is not one continuous scene, it is smaller clips placed together. This is a good style of editing for a thriller/horror opening sequence as it creates mystery and fear. Especially in the ‘Se7en’ opening, the montage of different disturbing images, texts, blades etc. creates a creepy mood for the film and makes the audience wonder what is going to happen.

Fast Pace Cross-Fades: In this opening cross-fades are used to transition scenes. This means that the clips merge together before transitioning, which in this opening creates a sense of confusion and adds dramatic effect. The transitions are also very quick and sharp as they move in time to the music, this connotes tension and violence and makes the audience wary but curious for the film’s storyline. Also on some clips scratchy text is placed across the shown clip and the clip that follows it in order to transition them. Opening Credits: In the sequence some of the titles appear at the edges of the clips and some appear over black backgrounds in between scenes. The black backgrounds flash up onto the screen several times during the clips which creates verisimilitude for the robotic noises and creates a feeling of corruption and confusion for the audience as it appears almost as if the clip is malfunctioning. The font used is a messy, disturbed font that looks like it has been hand written and connotes a feeling of violence and tension within the opening sequence.

Page 7: Textual Analysis of 'Se7en

In conclusion the opening sequence has several different successful contributions to it which make it entertaining and set the theme of the film. The eerie iconography and the actor using all these odd things while the audience never sees his face creates a scary atmosphere for the film and makes the character wonder what the character is doing and why is he doing it, which makes them curious and excited to see the film. The dramatic, upbeat music along with the screaming and robotic sound effects makes the opening very creepy and entertaining and sets the feeling of the film well. Also, the editing techniques of using a disturbed font, having random flashes and glitches and making scribbled writing appear all add to the opening sequence a sense of surrealism and horror which sets the genre of the film. The close ups of the objects and what the character is doing emphasises them and draws them to the audience’s attention which increases the nightmarish feeling of the opening and shows us it is a horror/thriller film. Finally, I hope to create a successful piece of work like this as I find the ‘Se7en’ opening to be very creepy and unusual which makes it entertaining. I intend to use similar aspects and techniques as the ‘Se7en’ opening in the my opening sequence in order to make it just as successful and establish the terrifying thriller/horror genre of the film.