Opening sequence review for ' Se7en '

Camera - During this opening sequence we are able to identify that most of the scenes have a cross fade. The majority of the on screen images, we assume are some types of hints and clues to the actual movie. Because most of the images that we see are close ups, we can see how the director used the specification of depth of field. The director creates suspense because the opening sequence is made up of close ups and we are unable to see the identity behind the camera. This is why we do not have any other types of shots.

Editing - The opening uses a montage format, which is putting lots of different clips together. The transitions in the opening sequence vary from straight cuts to cross fade. By having all of the clips fade into each other, it almost made the all of the fades interlink between each other. In most of the shots we see animations of flickering and subtitles, this could be used to create an eerie effect.

Mise en scene - In this particular opening sequence, we do not see a single long shot. By this, we assume that the 'investigation' or setting is either at somebody house or an office of some sort. We are able to identify this as the props that he is surrounded with would suggest so. However, throughout the whole sequence we are unable to see a full image of the surroundings or the person himself. The props that the person is using, such as a pen, paper, books, files and photos suggest that the person must be putting together a scrapbook or diary for an investigation. Because we are unable to see the full image of the guy that is behind all of this, the fact that we see close ups of the objects creates longing suspense. The fact that all of the shots are reasonably dark connotes danger and that the movie will be quite dark and severe. The lighting in the sequence suggests that the person is doing something he isn't supposed to be doing and that the movie will have a dark twist to it.

Sound -  At the beginning the music is quite slow, we can see that some of the shots have been put under slow motion. Overall, this creates an ambiguous effect, as the music is dissonant. As the scenes and music get faster towards the end, it creates tension for the audience. This tells us that the movie will be tens. The sound in the sequence is non-diegetic and therefore creates the mood and feeling for the first couple minutes of the movie. It also creates a longing line of mystery.