Analysing the opening sequence of Seven

Analysing the opening sequence of Seven

Seven (1995)

Seven starts with the opening titles displaying a variety of images along with the names of those who are involved in the film. 

The first shot displays a book using a close up. Within the shot the audience sees the pages of a book slowly turning whilst the words "new line cinema presents" in white appear on the screen. The words are coloured white due to the image being dark and involving colours like grey and black. During this shot loud and deep non-diegetic "rumble" sounds are heard and are accompanied by high pitched "screeching" sounds. This contrast in the sounds along with the image sets up a mysterious and edgy atmosphere at the very start of the sequence.

A quick straight cut is used to present next shot which displays a black background with the films producers' name written on it in white. The writing in this shot appears handwritten which links to the book shown in the previous shot. The writing on the screen, however, isn't static and different effects are added to make the writing move. For example, the name is flipped around and appears to be shaking. This jolty effect matches the music playing, which is the same as before using the low and high pitches, and this continues the ominous mood.

This writing on the screen is used throughout the opening sequence and is sometimes shown in front of images and not just a black background. 

For example, in the next shot the writing is accompanied by a drawing of hands. The shot transitions from the last to this one using a fade. It appears as if a section of the previous black screen lights up to display an aerial shot of a drawing. The low key lighting creates shadows and intensifies the enigma. Mystery is also created by the actual image in the sense that the audience may wander who drew the hands and why. This leaves questions that the audience will gain answers to through watching the film.

Low key lighting is used in other shots too. This sustains the sense of mystery throughout the opening sequence. However, not all of the shots include colours like grey, black and white for example this shot includes the colour red. 

In this shot the use of red could be reflective of blood and indicate that this film will include violence and death. However, within the actual shot, it shows pictures being placed into a solution and as the red is dark like that of a dark room for photography, it could be a signifier of that. Again, this will create questions for the audience, such as, who's the photographer and who is producing this book, adding to the mystery. In the bottom half of this shot, however, something different is being shown. An extreme close up of a pen writing in paper is used. This writing in books, drawing pictures and taking photos is a common theme within in the sequence and is even shown in the way the titles are hand written. 

Lots of other extreme close up shots and canted angles are also seen in this extract. The edits between them are often fast paced and this creates a business which could be reflective of the person being shown. It could display their thought process and how it is cluttered and disorganised. 

For example, near the beginning of the extract a shot of him cutting his finger prints off using a razor blade is used. In each shot something slightly different is happening however the camera stays in the same close up position. Between each of the shots the edit is also incredibly quick, reinforcing the business and reflecting the mental instability of the person doing this.

At the end of the sequence the non-diegetic music includes lyrics and the audience can hear "you bring me closer to God" being screamed. Along with the music an extreme close up on a bank note shows someone using scissors to cut the word "God" out. This reflects the lyrics in the music and the fast paced edits of the note being cut correspond to the beat of the music.