04.02.2010

Thriller Clip - 'Se7en'

For most films, the most dramtic hard hitting stuff happens at the end, and it's only after watching thewhole film that you could possibly fall in love with it. However, have you ever been amazed by simply the opening credits of a film? Without a doubt the best credit openings belong to the ‘Thriller’ genre, the clever use of daunting music and specialised fonts mean that even when paired with a blank screen they can still leave the audience with a feeling of suspense and anxiety which is nothing more than thrilling. An opening to a film is like a blurb to a book, if it doesn’t portray the feeling of the text then you are unlikely to continue further.

Se7en consisted of a narrative opening with the titles running throughout as once we have watched the film we become aware that the hands at the beginning where the hands of the psycho in the film. However, Se7en could also be classed as a discrete title sequence as before we have watched the film, we have no idea that the sequence has relevance to the overall plot of the film. Also, it could be classed as titles on a plain background, followed by the narrative opening as we are shown a black background with the titles shifting in and out of focus in a distorted fashion.

The clip involves many different images with fast cuts, giving the audience a feel of confusion and nausea. We are shown dirty hands touching an old, worn book and fiddling around with papers. The font used is very off focus and unattractive, by the time we are able to focus on it the name has changed making the audience feel very unsettled. While the music accompanying the titles is very loud and steady, like the beating of a drum, or the beating of a heart.

The camera angels remain steady but the colour tone of the sequence is very brown and grim, with the occasional red, leaving the audience wondering what the film will be like if just the opening sequence makes them feel this sense of foreboding. The opening makes the audience feel a range of 'bad' emotions, sick, scared and confused. These feelings are ideal for that of a thriller.