Codes and Conventions – The Art of the Title Sequence

SEVEN

Genre

The sequence is methodical which potentially highlights the storyline in the way that everything will have a set pattern and there will be no faults.

All the equipment seen is used for a purpose, creating a sense of foreboding for the audience that the killer has everything thought out.

The planned work is close and intricate which highlights the killer’s nature and his keen interest in the killings.

The information presented Firstly, the producer, then the main actors, in

order of most widely known ( Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow)

Then comes casting, music, editing and production.

There is a distorted manner in how this is presented, reflecting the killers unpredictability

Camera

Detail and proximity is created through close ups creating a sense of enigma for the audience and in result become one with the killer

The close ups also help to convey the idea of everyday household items into deadly weapons, such as a needle.

Mise-en-scene

The mise-en-scene subverts the idea of house hold objects- as it makes them appear to be deadly weapons

There is also a nihilistic world view, in which the killer feels no point of existence and consequently has no fear

The random words scribbled over the screen makes the writing appear to be both methodical (like the killings) and contrastingly, erratic.

This symbolises the killer appear to be very intelligent, making him even more dangerous and deadly.

Typography

The layout of the cursive font is not 'uniform' to what would be expected in, for example, a 'rom-com'.

The use of text portrays the unseen man, and by this he is represented as being a distorted character with a psychopathic thought process as well as portraying the instability of his mind, of which is a reason for why he does what he does.

Editing

The non-continuity editing reflects the fact that although he (the killer) is methodical – shown through his precise planning and research making - he is still erratic and distorted which is portrayed through editing by using jump cuts.

Similar to the display of the typography, the time between the shots here differs, again distorting the view for the audience.

This opening title sequence lacks the visual information of who the protagonist is – this remains a mystery to the audience until the end of the film, representing this film as of the thriller genre.

The fact that you don’t see his face creates tension, however the planned and intricate work is a reflection of the killers personality – even though we are not shown his face we, as the audience, are left clues to piece together who this man could be.

Sound

The layering of sound reflects each crime building to create a chaotic mess which is reflective of the killer’s crimes. The beat is rhythmic emphasising the killers’ methodical nature which becomes erratic and uncontrollable at the end of the sequence representing the chaos the crimes together have created something that is out of control.

It starts with a deep base beating in time to a heartbeat creating a sense of realism as the heartbeat gives the killer some humanity making him more relatable and also symbolises the importance of life in the film.

Contrapuntal sound of a booming echo contrasts with the image of a book being flicked through suggesting these actions have a consequence on a much greater scale.

Parallel sound of chains connected with the DNA images as a shadow moves across screen combined with the creaking of chains suggesting a prison and connection with the law and imprisonment

Metallic greyscale motif mirrors the images on screen highlighting the lack of humanity and coldness of the killer and could also symbolise the closing of a cell door suggesting there will be a resolution.

The final non diegetic voice heard gives a resolution and mirrors the purpose of the film. “You got me closer to God” foreshadows religion to play a key part in the rest of the film.

The title

The title “Seven” not only presents the idea of their being 7 killings, but also reflects the personality of the killer.

This short, one worded title further emphasises the precise, methodical nature of the killer, and his reasoning behind each murder.

The title is punchy, and effective, as it is very simple and therefore contrasts the complex killings.