Se7en opening sequence

The opening credits of se7en starts with a side view of a book this is seen through a close up alongside of this are also credits. Non Diegetic sound is used right at the start of the sequence what seems to be a short tapping of a drum. The camera then cuts to a black screen to show credits such as the Production Company, a bright light from the left hand corner then dissolves into view to show a pair of aged and disfigured hands. Various shadows then occur and the sequence goes through a number of short and snappy shots of mechanical objects, during this the same tapping of the drum is used however a quick squeaking noise is brought in such as a scratching of metals this builds tension as the audience cannot see the actual source of the noise which then brings suspicion to what it may be. More credits are shown after this and then more short shots are shown though close ups the audience see a pair of “normal” hands however the audience see’s the skin being scraped of the then ends of the fingers, this suggest the character who is doing this is not 100% sane this shot brings tension to a viewing audience as it begins to make them feel uncomfortable watching it as well as curious. An array of photo shots are then seen and then the audience see’s an editing decision of a super imposing comes into view this involves a close up of a hand writing in a book with a light contrast of the same hand upon it. There then comes a sequence of shots with cuts to credits the shots are all shown through close ups this suggests that the character and the accommodation wants to remain unknown. Further though the sequence the sound changes slightly as a new quicker beat is brought in, this suggests the sequence is more sinister this puts the audience on edge. Scratched imperfect lettering jumps and lurches to the screeching sounds, while rough-cut, up-close footage transforms ordinary tools of trays, scissors, paper, tape into ominous devices of torture. The handwritten words scribbled on the film are mixed with bits of what seems to be text from the bible make the audience curious about what the character is doing, why and what his/hers motivations are. These flashes of criminal obsession create an overall sense of precision and distress. Throughout the whole sequence disturbing images are used of people this represents the films plot of the seven deadly sins, the way the photos are shown through high angled shots makes the audience feel as though their inside the characters head straight off, making the tension that much more intense when he/she finally does show up.