Individual Analysis of Title Sequence - Se7en

Individual Analysis of Title Sequence

Se7en

As shown, this is a New Line Cinema production. New Line have also produced films such as Friday 13th franchise, the Final Destination franchise. Knowing this we are already set up to already have connotations about what type of film this might be. The fact that we begin on an open book is already an intriguing aspect. Starting with this already entices the audience as we are left wondering what the book maybe and its significance. Although, the book is blurry. This begins to signify that something isn't quite 'right' within the film. Because it isn't something you usually see, the picture not being in focus it fires up the suspense and begins the audiences suspicions. The book looks quite hand made and because the shot lacks a lot of colour and maintains quite a sepia type effect it makes the shot eerie and unsettling. The non diagetic sounds in this scene such as the simulated crashing and banging sound also further the unsettling atmosphere from the beginning scene and help set up the feel for the sequence and even the film. 

After the beginning scene with the anonymous book, we have this shot flicker into the screen. The fact that the writing for a start doesn't match is already odd, which furthers this odd feeling we develop about the film but another factor of it that does this is the actual look/font of the writing looks very hand drawn and almost carved. This again gives us an off feeling about the film as it looks as though the writing is rushed and panicked and has a certain even 'warning' in it as to what is going to happen. Again, through out the shot we hear more non diagetic sounds but it becomes sounds like almost hearts throbbing with exemplifies the point of the rushed and uncomfortable writing as if there is an unsettling pace to the film.


This is first of many shots in the title sequence of photographs. The photograph a definitely disturbing image. We see this image for a good few seconds, as opposed to the flashes of images we have seen a little before. Although, the difference in pace is has the same effect. The pairing of the slow pace and the uncomfortable image again gives that eerie atmosphere much like the others did. But now we have the more obvious image of something that is definitely not right. It seems as though the fingers have either been distorted due to old age or the person maybe has some form of disease. Also the pictures are taped down with sellotape that is yellowing and looks quite old. This could show that the book obviously is of some significance to have kept this long as the rest of pages do actually seem in quite good condition. We also have the red strip down the centre of the page. As we are unaware from the shot used of its use it just leaves us with our own connotations, such as danger, blood and warning. These connotations seem appropriate from what we have previously seen, what we see now and maybe as a signal as what we are about to see in the future from the film.



The next three shots that are shown are extremely quickly paced are on the shot for not even a second, at least one even a split second. This already is a good effect as it definitely adds to the genre very well as it makes you quite uncomfortable yet inquisitive at the same time as you aren't quite sure of what you have seen, although it is confusing as to why they are only flashed on the screen. These photos, even when paused are quite hard to decipher as they seem to be extreme close ups of an object but of what object we are unaware. Because the shading in every shot is quite dark, we again create connotations of something being quite off and something not quite being right about this film as it is kind of leaving you to jigsaw in what you think. Also it seems to be leaving it to you to piece together.

The close up shots are of a razor blade. The razor blade in normality is quite a general item, but definitely does have these quite dark connotations that we would link to violence. Because of the way that the previous sequence is put together we add all those other shots and elements in and use them as clues and 'evidence' to put together that these razor have quite a negative connotation and aura surrounding them. The non diagetic sound also adds to the tense atmosphere and when these quite graphically challenging images show it makes it makes the shots almost unbarable and gives the sequence a definite un-comforting feel.

This is the next shot in the sequence. Again we have a close up or some fingers that from this view especially even though there is only a vague bit of light, seem to be quite unhealthy. Again there is this repetition of images that make us almost quiver with un-comfort. The unappealing looking fingers are holding a razor to their skin. This is almost a disturbing image as even if we have never seen, experienced or even heard of it happening to someone, we know that razor blades are danger and even though the razor blade does again seem quite old fashioned we know that they are not meant to be dealt with. This gives us the feeling that the film is definitely quite disturbing and against the norm.

Our connotations prove us right as i the next shot, the skin of one of the fingers is being cut, we think. From what we can see, it looks like the person who's fingers they are is using the razor to physically chip and peel away at the dead skin on their fingers. This is not a normal occurance at all to see someone practically harming themselves and seeming from the finger to be doing it quite relaxed.

The two shots are linked together via sound bridge which again contains harsh almost metallic sounds, especially placed when the finger is being shredded as it furthers the uncomfortable and disturbing atmosphere even more.

This shot itself is extremely disturbing. To begin with the picture of the boy is made to be the main focus of the picture but again is not in centre which again isn't very usual but this adds to the unsettling atmosphere. Another and a main factor that is disturbing about this image is that his eyes are crossed out. The idea when you cover someones eyes is to practically remove their identity, to take away who they are, which, is much like murder. So this does have some murderous qualities to it.

The next shot we see is that same boy, but his face has completely been covered. It leaves questions in your head as to why this person's face has been covered completely and the reason for this. It is particularly interesting in the fact that the image was of a child. It definitely leaves you wondering what it is that this child could have done or what could have happened t him for his face to be covered with a thick black marker and made sure it is concealed.

We then see a quick paced flash of this image. It is the boy again, but what seems to have been almost dipped into something red. Obviously the colour red definitely set with all the rest of the types of shots and the images that we have been seeing earlier in the title sequence. But it leads connotations of danger, murder and blood, especially since the boys face has been covered, it almost makes murder look certain. The word 'you' has also been shown next to the image. The way that the text is put on the image is definitely disturbing and not natural. None of the letters are the same size and the writing almost looks like it has been scratched in and it also reminds me of a child's writing which is quite ironic as it is paired with the image of a child who 's face has been covered. The entirety of the shot seems extremely frantic and chaotic and like this person is completely unstable.

 The next images that we see are these two shots. These are a couple of shots that if you actually take a look at them for a couple of seconds, which would be hard whilst just watching the title sequence straight through as they are on screen quite quick paced, they are extremely unsettling. The first image is of a person (we aren't really put forward a clear gender) who seems to be laid in a inhuman position or at least the picture has been taken in a position that isn't very normal. It seems that the person may have either been held down to have the photo taken or the person could even be dead. To have such an unsettling image, including the second one which is of a lobotomy have very violent connotations about them. As the title sequence furthers, more images like these appear for us to see, and the diagetic sound becomes less consistent. As the images become what seems as more graphic the music slows down and becomes less flowing and even calms down a little bit, from noises into actual music. This is quite eerie as the images as more graphic is makes the images that we are shown seem as though they are quite normal. This makes you feel definitely uncomfortable as it seems that the idea of death and violence is condoned and it might even be part of this persons life and they are used to it even.