Se7en opening credits analysis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEq-4fua3lM

The purpose of the opening credits to a film is to set the mood and atmosphere to give the audience an indication of the genre. In Se7en the credits are at the beginning rather than the end this give the audience no option but to watch and appreciate who put effort into making the film which I think is a very clever technique.

Se7en is particularly good at setting the mood and atmosphere with the creepy music, every so often we hear a screeching noise resembling a girls scream, this already suggests some type of horrific event will take place. we first see a hand turning pages of a book, the lighting upon it makes the hand look beastly and animal like. This is sets up the film as it gives a sense of mystery getting the audience thinking. We then move to a black screen with white titles reading 'Arnold Kopelson Production' the colours are very bold and purposely made to stand out, the colours could suggest there are antagonists as well as protagonists in the film. The font flickers slightly throughout the credits giving the audience a sense of feeling uncomfortable, the fact its looks like a child's handwriting also adds to the 'creepy' feel which is common in horror/thrillers.

The credits consist of disturbing images throughout which almost make you want to hide perhaps. although we don't see the figures face we are shown some hands throughout completing strange tasks. We as the audience quickly realise that this is a man due to the dirty, beaten hands that we wouldn't associate with a man. As they are so beaten it suggests to the audience he has been taking on some unusual activities.

The camera angles are effective within the credits as they don't use revealing shots such as mid shits as it would give away the mystery. this intrigues the audience which is what the director wants to achieve. The use of close and extreme close ups really emphasis the disturbing images, keeping the audience on edge. It is quite fast paced throughout to give a sense of panic and suggest the mind of this man is erratic.

The mise-en-scene gives the audience an idea of how the narrative will move forward, in the clip we see the male figure completing tasks such as developing photos, writing and reading. This implies he is planning something and thinking through it thoroughly and from our perspective it is something unpleasant. The colours throughout the credits are consistent of black, making it appear haunting. Red is the only bright colour that stands out, this is done to highlight the idea of blood also giving the audience more clues about how this man means no good.

The non-diegetic sound track has a dysfunctional and tense also linking back to the mans mind set. This also helps build up suspense for the audience.

Se7en is a great example of a thriller that takes on and successfully meets all the codes and convention's for a good opening of a thriller.