Codes and Conventions The Art of the Title Sequence

The Man Responsible: Kyle Cooper- Designer of Motion Graphics

• Seven elevated Kyle Cooper as the leading designer of motion graphics. His excruciating exploration of the physicality of image-making had an immediate impact on the film industry. The process could be referred to as method design (much like method acting). "That sequence for Seven is only good because it is the film, because it came out of the film," Cooper says. "I wanted to get across the idea of the killer, to make something that he would have made. That's how you want it to be. The form should be born out of the content."

Use the following questions to guide your analysis

• How is the genre of the film (psychological thriller) constructed?

What do the opening titles show, visually? How is narrative enigma created here?

Why has the Kyle Cooper chosen to use CU shots which hide the identity of the villain? Where do these shots position the viewer?

What is the effect of the music?

• The soundtrack used is by Trent Reznor- what is the effect of this? How would you describe it?

How has typography been used?

• One of the most interesting aspects about the credits is the use of type.

• What is the effect of the scratched imperfect lettering accompanied by the black background?

How is the mise en scene conveyed?

• How does the rough-cut, up-close footage of ordinary tools of reproduction— developing trays, scissors, paper, tape-create an ominous, unsettling atmosphere?

• Look closely for the profane words scribbled on the film mixed with bits of bible prophesy and other nihilistic scrawlings. How are these used to construct the John Doe character?

What information is provided in the opening sequence?

• Examine the order in which information appears.

• Is there any significance in the positioning of the text?

How has the sequence been edited?

• What characterises how the sequence has been edited?

• What kinds of transitions are used and what is the effect?

• What is the pace of the edit? Does it vary or change through the sequence?