Se7ven Analysis

Se7ven

I am analyzing se7en to see what production companies think audiences want to see in a horror film opening. This will help me gain ideas on what to include in my work. The film starts at an extreme close up of a book this creates an enigma code as we do not know what is in this book and who the blurred out hand belongs to. This is the first thing we see of the main character so it adds mystery and suspension to the character. The lighting on the book is dark implying it includes something dark and sinister. The back ground is light implying innocence this is a use of binary opposites to highlight the evil within this book. The typography is simplistic however effective in creating a scary effect. The blurring and flickering of the writing gives a horror feel this is the director adding hints of the genre to the audience. 0.5 seconds in the film the production companies are being shown one is New Line Cinema which is a well-known production company so we know the film is for mainstreams who watch horror movies. Also they are two companies showing an example of synergy of companies. Non-diegetic music is being played it is very dramatic and eerie creating the horror feel for the audience.

At 0.8 a close up of hands are shown as a drawing they is theme with hands being put in focus the director has positioned the audiences to them as they may have meaning as the film goes on. The drawing is very detailed showing disfigured fingers it looks life drawn adding the question of who these hands belong to and who drew them. Also a shadow goes across the drawing like someone is turning a page in a book this links with the first thing the audience have seen. The audience will want to know the significance of the book the director has done this to leave questions.

At 0.15 the actors are being showed, the back ground is dark in contrast to the actors name implying that Brad Pit is the innocent character or hero going with the Theory of Propp Character Functions. An extreme close up is shown of someone taking off the skin on their figures this is a graphic and nerving scene for some vuers. The characters hands are dirty this implies the character is insane or uncaring of their appearance. Editing is purposely choppy as it confuses the audience as to much information is being given in a small amount of time. This was done to keep the audience engaged and focused on the scene.

At 0.25 the title of the film is shown Se7ven is an enigma its self. Audiences do not know the link between the film and the number 7. A book is shown once again at 0.28 the audience will be anticipated to find out the importance of the books. At 0.36 the colour scheme goes red this implies blood and danger. Also a blurry picture of a person seems to be in this blood this may be a link to say that this is their blood. At 0.50 blood is shown again representing death. Sound effects have a high pitched sound to create discomfort in the audiences. At 2.90 we finally see the films setting they is a long shot of an urban city environment. This is a popular setting for films which include crime and graphic murders.

What I have learnt from analysing Se7ven is how directors create tension in a scene by making scene changes frequent this adds mystery as the audience are only given unexplained images. Also shot types are used to add tension, extreme close ups annoy audiences as not much is revealed about the film only small clues. The music is an important factor as it creates an eerie effect in the opening scene getting the audiences in the mood for a horror film. With having no diegetic sound no clues are given about the character or the environment they are in. Production companies such as New Line Cinema know what audience expect due to being part of the Warner Bro Company so they take less risks by knowing exactly what audiences want.