Genre research summary

The font style is generally created with a hand drawn and 'scratchy' effect. The transitions are particularly effective as the way they vibrate then disappear  gives it an edgy effect that matches the genre. The time the text is there for is generally quite short and is always active. (Moving around). Which adds to the 'edgy' effect.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/tag/se7en/

The sound is not really a track as such, more a collection of sinister noises which works well when taking the genre into account. There are also a lot of stabs of noises.

In this title sequence we see no character, but the fact that we only see sinister and deformed hands is worth commenting on as it makes the whole atmosphere more tense and mysterious.

The makers of the sequence have not given away many clues as to where it is set, or who is there, or what they are wearing etc, but the lighting that is used is predominantly chiaroscuro which makes the set more mysterious. And the small parts of the set that we do see, seem to be very sinister, almost like an abandoned hospital.

A lot of very tight close ups are used to create an enigma which makes us think a lot about many aspects of the editing and sequence in general.

The Shining title sequence analysis

The use of camera techniques in this opening sequence are utilized to good effect, the wide open establishing shots throughout connote a feeling of isolation which gives a sense of the great outdoors and reinforces the type of genre which is psychological horror. The crane shots used above the lone car travelling through a narrow mountain road help the audience to gain a sense that the car is being watched by ‘something’, this creates an eerie atmosphere which is very effective.
Some of the landscape in the first establishing shot could be symbolic and further emphasize this theme of isolation, which is a key point throughout the film. There is a lone island in the middle of vast lake which depicts this; also the location is further enhanced for the genre by the dark murky water which surrounds the island.
The soundtrack used is one of the most effective theme tunes used in any psychological horror film to date, the high pitched diegetic music really helps to create a feeling of panic, horror and suspense.
The type of text, including colour and font, is the weakest point to comment upon throughout the title sequence. The colour which is light blue, really doesn’t suit the genre or general atmosphere, however the way it’s just a block font actually breaks the suspense, which sets the film up to drop straight into the action and horror after a certain period of time which could be very effective. But the reality is that the text is very boring and does not fulfil its purpose.
The lighting used is just natural light with no filters or artificial lighting, this goes little way towards contributing to the atmosphere and does not compliment the films genre, but it could be used to create a false sense of comfort for a sudden shock when the film reaches the tense parts.
Overall I think it is a fairly average title sequence which does little to compliment the genre and create the correct the emotions.

Se7en Title sequence analysis

   The use of colours in this title sequence is one of the most notable features. The colours used give off a monochrome effect which may imply a feeling of despair and mystery, but the colour scheme also includes hints of red which may connote anger and violence and give the audience a sense of what the film is based around and what emotions are involved. These colours used together match the general atmosphere we get from the sequence and suit the genre of psychological horror well.

   The font type and size of text used is another interesting point to comment on. We see fairly small font sized used which creates a sense of difficulty and awkwardness which is further enhanced by the effect added to the text which is a small vibration and a quick flash, then it disappears. These motions may connote feelings of panic and fear and help give the title sequence more meaning and depth. This flash also leaves a sort of subliminal effect or after shock because it is very sharp, concise editing which keeps the target audience engaged. The font type, which is jagged, further cements the genre and matches it. The fact that the names and text disappear so quickly also gives a great sense of mystery and gives us a feeling that dramatic events lie ahead.

  The soundtrack is just a diegetic collection of noises farther than actual music, and is very simple but effective. It uses a lot of stabs which help to create a dramatic effect and makes the title sequence in general very sinister. The tempo also helps to reinforce the fact that this film is a psychological horror, the slow tempo connotes a feeling of being helpless and trapped which is very effective.

   There are minimal camera work/shots used in this sequence, although the number of close ups may be something of significance, close ups always make the audience focus on a particular thing and give that object, or person, a particular meaning or emphasis, this links into the use of small objects e.g. needles and sharp objects, all these items are rusty and sinister, as well as all the other props, which fills us with a feeling of being squeamish and uncomfortable.

  The effect of mystery seems to be dominant throughout the title sequence of Se7en and is further enhanced by the fact that we don’t see any faces, other than pictures, the shots focus on what appear to be mutated, deformed hands, which of obviously relates to the genre, and gives us more to think about. Why are these hands deformed? Who’s are they? And will they become significant during the film?

   Chiaroscuro lighting is used to excellent effect and helps us to focus on particular areas and make us wonder what the darkness may be hiding. It again makes things tense, nervous and mysterious.

  Overall the techniques used in the title sequence are very effective and certainly match the genre and fulfil their purpose.