Opening title analysis of Se7en Media Kenza

1. Kenza Mokhtari
TITLE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS: SE7EN

2. SE7EN (1995) DIRECTED BY: DAVID FINCHER

3. TITLES
• The titles fade up on the screen
• Font: White, sans-serif, sketchy
• The sequence explores
unconventional angles of everyday
items such as this book.
• After the screen fades, some of the
titles appear on a black screen

4. • Sequence utilises low-key
lighting to create the
chiaroscuro effect
• There are extreme close ups,
multiple which include
unconventional items
• Several of these include a
gauze-like material, contrasted
by a metal
• There is a large focus on the
hands

5. • The part of the opening shows
a series of short clips taken
from different angles
• The extreme close up makes it
hard to distinguish what is
happening
• There is a cut away to an
extreme close up
• The different angles allow the
audience to decipher what is
happening

6. • Instead of having the titles
appear on only fully black
screens, the titles are places in
the darkest moments in each
clip
• This allows for continuity in
the way the titles are shown,
without having to repeat the
same screen multiple times
• This also allows for the titles to
be read clearly throughout the
entire sequence

7. SUPERIMPOSE
In the earlier extract (top) two
similar clips of a pen writing are
edited together to suggest the
passing of time, this implies that a
lot of time and thought has been
spent on these writings. The
second clip (bottom) is
superimposed with the writings
itself to accentuate it’s
significance and possibly
represent how it lingers on their
mind. The words are indistinct,
shown only for a moment and are
upside down, this may be to
illustrate the altered mind and
perspectives of the intensive
writer.

8. MATCH ON ACTION
• There is a graphic match of
cutting a film strip and then
the printed image, this
increases the pace and implies
efficiency and productivity as
one action leads directly on to
another.
• There remains the focus on the
hands throughout the film
• The scissors represent
violence being used in a skilled
way

9. RE-OCCURRING
IMAGES
The hand that was previously
shown superimposed with the
pages is shown here as a shadow,
and is an interesting way to create
a graphic match with the editing.
The book was almost empty
before and becomes increasingly
fuller during the opening scene;
this suggests the passing of time.

10. END OF SEQUENCE
• The sequence introduces a theme withheld
throughout the film, religion
• This is shown through a close up of the
word ‘God’ being cut out of an American
dollar, which could represent the themes of
greed and corruption
• The idea of God is reinforced through the
lyrics ‘You get me closer to God’ which
suggests ideas of repent, sex or death; all
themes addressed though the film
• After the screen fades and the last of
the titles appear on a black screen
• It is common for the last titles to be
the directors name
• The audience can tell the title
sequence is over because the song
finishes

11. SOUND IN THE OPENING SCENE
Sound is used during the titles of Se7en to
create pace, tension and an overlaying
meaning to the sequence. Throughout the
title sequence is the instrumental of Nine
Inch Nails - Closer (1994). All of the lyrics
are removed with the exception of the last
line of the chorus, ‘you bring me closer to
god’ This line has sexual connotations and
relates to the high that people are left after
actions of lust; one may acquaint this to a
psychopaths feelings after committing a sin.

12. ASPECTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The narrative is not revelled to the audience, however the main
themes held within the film are hinted throughout
• The sequence has a sense of a beginning and end
• The title remain fixated on the characters hands and unorthodox
activity
• Very little about the character is revealed, the audience is not
told a name, nor shown a face