Opening sequence to Se7en

• Camera Shot/Angle/Movement;

There are many different shots and angles. A lot of close up camera shots are used in the opening sequence. This makes it harder to realise what is actually going on. Point of view shots are used as well. This creates an unusual atmosphere as if you are doing everything with the character that is being introduced in this opening sequence. The repetition of certain clips is a way to try and imply to the audience that this scene is more important and has a meaning in the opening sequence of the film. This sets the tone of the film and prepares the audience for what is to happen in the film  

• Sound;

The only sounds you can hear is music, screams and many other synthesised sounds these are non-diegetic sounds as they are not associated with the action you can see it is also not very clear what the sounds are exactly. The music does help to build atmosphere and tension throughout as it is an abstract piece, it is very dull and eerie and their are other sound affects like a scream, sound of clippers and somebody typing set the mood for the film.

• Editing;

There is a lot of editing in the opening sequence. Where the scene goes from a close up or a point of view shot to the credits. There are lots of cuts and the majority of them happen quickly. This confuses the audience and makes them want to keep watching. There are also flashing disturbing images that make the audience feel uncomfortable and edgy. Also in the opening credits of this film you get to go through everything that is going on and through this you get the sense that this character is preparing to do something this also gave you the impression that there are two people doing two separate things in different locations.

• Mise en Scene;

It is difficult to determine what the scene or setting is. The only costume seen in the shots is cloth that is wrapped around the persons finger tips. The scene seems to be dirty and it looks unpleasant. Dark colours are used throughout the whole opening scene. 

Lighting: In the opening credits the lighting is some what bright which is unusual for a horror film because the lighting is normally very dull. In this scenario the lighting is bright because they wanted to see what the person in they opening credits was doing to set the audience up for the rest of the film. The image in the centre of the screen is bright implying that the object has a sense of importance. 

Prop: There is a lot of props in the clip. As the objects the man is holding are important parts of the prop as they give the audience a layout of the setting of the film, the prop in this scene is used to give an idea of how the antagonist does his work because from the opening credits you could see that the antagonist does put allot of thought in to what he or she does. 

Settings: In the opening sequence it is hard to tell what the film is really about. The antagonist in the sequence is holding a verity of objects in his hands. this could imply that he may be in a tool shop or mechanics.

• Characters;

Only one character is introduced in this opening sequence and they seem extremely mysterious as you only get to see their fingers, what they are doing and their surroundings. There is not a clear defined character but the audience assumes that he is the antagonist because of their surroundings. As the antagonist is surrounded with violent objects and images this shows that the character may have a dark side.

 

• Locations;

The location is unknown. It could be a Cellar, Laboratory etc. The location seems dark, dingy and gloomy.  

• Narrative/Plot;

There isn’t a clear plot and the audience cannot tell what will happen throughout the rest of the film but the opening sequence keeps the audience engaged as the audience is not sure what is going on and is led on to think many things.

• Themes;

The themes that are suggested in this opening could be death, serial killings, the disturbing pictures could imply suffering. As the whole opening sequence appears to be gloomy these themes are subconsciously gained in the audiences mind.

• Visual Style;

This opening sequence is very unique and original, many flashes of disturbing images are used, combination of edits, lighting and mise en scene is used to create an atmosphere. This atmosphere helps to keep the audience engaged as they are not sure as to what is going on.

• Genre;

This opening sequence has some conventions of a thriller or maybe even a horror. This is because all of the aspects above combined create an atmosphere for the audience that is almost uncomfortable and thrilling. 

                                                       

                                                        

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Opening sequence to Panic Room

Opening Sequence Analysis - Panic Room 

• Camera Shot/Angle/Movement;

There is a lot of panning used within this opening. Aerial shots, long shots, establishing shot, high angle shot, low angle shot and crane shots are also used. 

• Sound

Diegetic and non-diegetic.  The non- diegetic sound is used in the beginning where the credits are across the buildings, yet diegetic sound is used when it cuts to a busy street with people walking. 

• Editin

Typography is used, different types of shots are used and they seem to come straight one after the other as if in sync. Jump cuts are used as the camera cuts to many different buildings that are filmed at many different angles.

• Mise en Scene

The city, busy, cars, sky scrapers, lots of people, it looks like an autumn morning as leaves are falling from the trees and blowing in the wind.

• Characte

None established in the opening as you can only see the credits and towards the and you hear two female voices one female younger than the other, as a member of the audience you see where the voices are coming from and what characters are speaking. There are two females walking very quickly.

• Locations

The city, somewhere very busy. There are only two main locations within the opening sequence, the sky scrapers, busy traffic and then the busy road that is bombarded with dry leaves that have fallen from the trees and people walking. 

• Narrative/Plot

Although there is no narrative or plot represented in the opening sequence towards the end there is a middle aged woman and a young girl talking about a property to rent.  

• Themes

A theme represented could be busy city life. Or moving as when the voices become audible a female voice is talking about a property. 

• Visual Style

Quite typical in the way that names are shown but typography is used in a very unique way. As the credits seem to be in front of buildings. 

• Genre

The genre is not apparent as nothing is really happening. Yet the music seems to build tension for the audience this could imply that it is a thriller.

      

Comparing the opening sequences of "Panic room" and "Seven"

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement

“Seven” and “Panic Room” on different things Seven’s opening credits focused on  a man so there where allot of close ups and extreme close ups so that the viewers were able to see what this person was doing it also would give them a scene of who the person was in the film. where as the opening credits of “Panic Room” was more focused on the scenery of the film so there was allot of mid-shots and long shots so the audience connected with the settings and the surroundings of the film.

Sound

there was dietetic and non-dietetic sounds in both films. in seven the non-dietetic sound was creepy and eerie to set the audience up for there was a use of sound effect such as screaming and the sound of razors this and to which added to the opening credits with was a bit scary the dietetic sound there was not a lot of dietetic sounds but the sound that comes from scrapping of dead skin from fingers  is a nasty sound which adds to the feel of the thriller. 

Editing

editing in both film are very rapid but in “Seven” the cuts are very jerky and erratic and the shot show so much but because the cuts are so quick the audience is not able to concentrate on a particular shot so it keeps the audience of guard and it also adds a bit of mystery to the film because the audience can’t really get a grasp on what this person is going to do. in “Panic Room” although the cuts are just as quick as the cuts in “Seven” the cuts are allot more smooth and the audience is able to take in what they are seeing allot more. although the audience is able to see the shots more the audience is not really able to get a read on what the film is about and the way the opening credits is done it kind of contradicts the name of the film. the way the opening credits is shot at a point it the shot become more high angle shots than long or mid-shots is kind of gives a sense of surveillance like some body is watching the characters.

Mise en Scene

the lighting in both opening credits were very different because in the opening of “Seven” the lighting seem quite dim but bright enough to see what the person was doing and to see the images the where being shown. seven on the other hand was done during the day so the lighting was bright and so the audience was able so see the buildings and and the surroundings.

Characters

in both films either showed very little or no characters all in in both opening credits. in the opening of seven there where no shots that showed a full picture of the person in  the opening credits there were only close ups and extreme close ups of what the person was doing. the opening credits for panic room showed no characters at all the opening credits of panic room mostly focused on the the building and the scenery on where the film was take place.

Locations

the location in “Seven” is unclear because most of the shots are close ups and extreme close ups so the shots do not allow you to see a clear location but what the location looks like a basement or somewhere where  not allot of light does not get in. the location of “Panic Room” is allot more obvious because most of the shots are long shots and mid-shots so you can see more of the surroundings from the shots you can tell that the film takes place in an American city like Manhattan. 

Themes

Themes used in “Seven” in the opening credits the themes  are very clear and in your face:

• Mystery
• Death 
• Murder 
• Murderer
• Psychopath 
• Blood 
• Violence 
• Torture

Themes in “Panic Room” in the opening credits the themes  are allot more hidden because the setting is more bright and it is not concentrating on one person it concentrates on the building. but the theme is to do with people not knowing what goes on in a city.

Visual Style

both “Seven” and “Panic Room” was made by the same director David Fincher. although both film where directed by the same person the visual styles were completely different to one and other Seven had mostly close ups and extreme close ups where as “Panic Room” had mostly long and mid-shots in the opening credits. 

Genre

in “Seven” the opening credits gave the genre of the film away because of the opening credits is done its the opening credits are already scary and puts the audience on edge. “Panic Room” on the other hand is harder to tell what genre it is although the music is pretty eerie the setting gives the audience the impression that is something like a drama or a teen flick.

                                                               

Panic Room Opening 

Seven Opening

Prelim task: story board