Se7en Analysis...

The opening title sequence stops approx 6:15

During this analysis I am going to look into the denotations and connotations of the opening title sequence of the film 'Se7en'. The film begins with a small taster of the film, showing the main codes and conventions in which the film includes. For example: the setting of the film, the time period and the genre of the film.

In the first section of the opening title sequence to this film the audience first meet Detective Somerset, and the environment in which he lives in. When the audience first see the house in which Somerset lives in, the first impressions of it are rather neat and tidy, there is no mess. The house comes across as being almost too tidy, it doesn’t look lived in. The window is the only focus on light in the first shot, and the blinds in which have been used could be a connotation to the idea of prison bars, maybe representing that this character feels trapped. The dark lighting used makes the scene come across and quite cold, it isn’t warm and cosy, which a typically should be. Maybe the character also feels that the outside is imposing on him. The chessboard at the front of the camera shot may connote the idea of perfection; the idea that he feels he always needs to improve himself and his skills. Then in the next shot he begins to lay everything out neatly, everything is in order, maybe showing that he feels everything has to have a place, it could up the way in which he feels he works best; routine. The audience understand that he is a police officer, or has some link to the police as he has a police badge. The character Somerset also comes across as noticing the little things, for example to small bit of fluff that he picks off his coat which may connote that he wants everything perfect.

In the second section of the opening sequence of ‘Se7en’, the audience begin to understand that Detective Somerset seems to care about the small points of life as well, for example, he asks if the children had seen the murder, showing that he cares for others and how it could of actually happened. When the audience first meet Detective Mills, the first impressions of him mainly come from his appearance. He has an un-ironed shirt which may connote to the idea of him maybe being in a rush or unorganised; he is also chewing gum, which may give the audience the idea of him not taking his job seriously. Detective Mills also has basketballs on his tie, meaning he isn’t dressed smartly, this may connote the idea of being a little confident and maybe even ‘cocky’ compared to the other detective Somerset. Detective Somerset’s uniform is neat, tidy and comes across as being ready to work; he is wearing a waist coat and suit, which represents the stereotypical detective image. Detective Somerset is wearing a hat which signifies importance and glasses which connote intelligence. When both characters start walking down the road, the setting behind them looks a quite urban setting as there are many buildings behind them and there is a lot of diegetic sound in the background. As they walk down the stairs, people in the street seem to push past them without bothering to say sorry, which may be a connotation to the idea that people in this area are quite rude, haven’t been brought up properly, maybe showing it isn’t a high class area; it’s quite rough. The other point in which links to this statement is the idea that these two detectives have just come out of a crime scene and no one seems shocked or surprised, this may show that crime is involved in this idea a lot, it’s a common event that takes place in this area. The weather in the background makes the scene could dark and gloomy, creating a dark urban atmosphere of a city, which may connote the general mood in which the city gives. There is also the sound of a police siren in the background which again connotes the idea of crime to the audience.

In the next change of scene, the audience begin to see what type of relationship Detective Mills and Detective Somerset have. They seem to be almost fighting for the lead, within the conversation, they almost battle it out to see who can get in front of who when walking down the urban street set. Somerset ends and leaves the conversation between him and Mills, showing that he was in control of that conversation. Then the setting changes to Somerset’s bedroom, it is dark with unpacked boxes in the background, connoting he hasn’t had time, maybe busy during work instead. There are books in the back, which may connote intelligence. The flicking of the clock shows that he may find it hard to go to sleep; he needs to maybe get into a rhyme before he sleeps as he has too many things on his mind.

Then the opening credits begin, this includes the casting, actors, music, costume designer, production designer, director, co-producer, who it was written by and producer. The writing used is edgy and sharp, maybe connoting danger. The images and fonts are also quite distorted, this could be to give the idea of something being hard to see, connoting the idea of mystery. The music starts quite slow with a slow beat, then it begins to speed up towards the end and says, ‘you got me closer to God’, connoting the idea of death, being in hell or heaven. Sound of a razor is also in this sequence, which can be a connotation of sharp objects and blood. The images flash, and are of either dead people or injured people, showing that this film may be about crime and death. The idea of cutting different pieces of paper may give the idea of trying to cut different parts of different stories to have the solution, which again connotes the thought of crime and police. The objects used in this part of the opening title sequence are the sound of razors, the image of a needle and a sharp object that seems to be cutting through skin, connoting that this film could be the genre of a thriller or crime related film.

Overall, in this analysis I feel that I have given a strong description of the denotations and connotations of the title sequence of the film, ‘Se7en’.

18th November Homework...

The Art Of Film Title Design Throughout Cinema History
Link from the site: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

When reading through this website about Title squences, i found five things in which i felt interested me:
1. 'In them we see the bond between the art of filmmaking and graphic design — and perhaps visual culture as a whole. They have always served a greater purpose than themselves: to move the overarching story forward.' I found this quote interesting as I was surprised that graphic designers and other production people worked together to make a title sequence for a film.

2. I also found it interesting that in the film, 'Up in the air' (2009) the title sequence for this was all shot with aerial photography to be a connotation to the title of the film. Some of these shots were the ones in which I was on the website that show an example of the shots in the opening sequence.

3.'It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention. Still, the interplay of typography and images was by no means ignored'. I found this statement interesting as I aslo thought that the title design would be quite important to a film, but I didn't know how good a title sequence would have to be to a film, as it is the part of the film which tells the audience about the film, for example the genre.

4. 'Hollywood animation studios, including Warner Brothers and MGM, did give some license to their artists to indulge in title antics. But one can also see that life for the titling crew at Disney was strained by the weight of its foreign-language versions and that film exports rarely encouraged innovation in titling'. I found this statement interesting as i didn't know that Hollywood animation studios gave a license to their artists of different title sequences.

5.'The studio systems operating in Europe and Hollywood also delighted in creating titles that featured vernacular graphic novelties. As much as possible, they liked to convey the tone of a movie through the “dressage” of its main title. Thus, blackletter fonts in the opening credits were used to evoke horror, ribbons and flowery lettering suggested love, and typography that would have been used on “Wanted” posters connoted a western flick.' I found this very interesting as I realised how much the media and film industry had changed throughout such little time.

Here is a title still from the oldest surviving feature-length animated film “The Adventures of Prince Achmed” (Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed) by German animator Lotte Reiniger:

Codes and Conventions...

- Casting (the key characters)
- Genre (introduction)
- Production team
- Company logo
- Setting
- Mise-en-scene
- Title
- Music
- Distributers Logo

Video Production - title sequence

The purpose of this unit is to assess your ability to:
- Plan and construct media products
- Applying knowledge and understanding
- Applying and present approriate research.

Researching Different Horror Opening Credits...

Stephen King's: 'IT'... (finishes opening titles at 3.18)

In Stephen King's title opening sequence of 'IT', it begins with the music quite eerieand the name of the director is the first thing on the screen, which is shown in black and white font and background, which may show people from first observation that it isn't a childs film. Then this shot emerges into the word 'IT' which is in bold, red letters or death. The music then changes into a piano playing, this may represent the idea that as the music began eerie, to then a piano playing quite peacefully that something is hidden. The names of some of the people involved in the film came into this title sequence. The images are of black and white photographs, which seem to be quite nice urban setting houses. However, the music then changes dramatically and even though the pictures of the nice, urban houses have red corners of each of the photographs, maybe connoting blood (a typical horror film aspect). This continues for a while, panning on each photograph, which carries on introducing the names of others included in the film. Then the camera pans in on a photograph for a longer amount of time, the image begins black and white but then turns into a moving image, which shows to the audience that the film is beginning. The music then changes again, which could connote to the audience that the mood in this scene is about to change. Then the moving image is of a urban street, which then emphaises on a lightning bolt, which connotes the idea of danger. The sound of thunder, and the image of the bad weather may be a connotation to the idea of something being bad or negative in the film, strong wind being shown by the clothes outside on the washing line being blown around and the water moving in the cups; the denotation to this is that the weather is bad, however this may connote that something bad is about to happen because it's a bad day with the weather.

Then a young child singing comes into the scene, riding her bike, she is alone, which creates the idea of something or someone being lonely and vunerable. Before the young girl goes in the house, the sound of someone laughing is added into the title sequence, this connotes that she is no longer alone and someone is watching her. The camera shot pans onto the young girls face which may have been done to capture her expression to whatever is about to happen. The sound of young children playing and laughing is then added, maybe being a connotation that the young girl is no longer alone. Then a clown appears, standing looking through the sheets, showing the audience that he could of being watching the girl for some time. Then the camera slowly pans onto the young girls face, showing her expression change from being 'happy' to 'scared'. When a mother comes out and then realises the child has gone due to the connotation of the bike laying on the floor, showing that the little girl has vanished.

Researching Similar Horror Opening Credits...

- 'The Hostale'

- 'Psycho'

- 'The Exorcist'

- Stephen King films, for example: 'IT'

- 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

- 'Orphanage'

- 'The Ring'

- 'Blair Witch Project'

- 'Paranormal Activity'

Developing Our Own Ideas for Opening Credits.

- Genre: Suspense Horror

- Cinematography: Similar to Paranormal Activity

- Eerie, jumpy rather than gory

- Setting: house and garden

- Typography: Edgy (dafont)

- Music: Hams-zimmer or Daniel Lynch

- Dull contrast, dull washed out colours

- Producing industry: Lionsgate

- Directors to look at: Gore Verbinski

Opening credits...

Opening Credits of a Romantic Comedy (take no notice of the different language on the screen).
- Love Actually

The opening sequence of Love Actually introduces the universal theme of the film, love, and not just romantic love but love in all forms. Love between parents and children, love between siblings, love for a partner or love with an old friend. The British accentof the actor Hugh Grant shows that it is a British film. The music is an orchestral string arrangement with a piano accompaniment. It is very evocative of love and romance and sets the tone of the film. The opening sequence of Love Actually successfully uses techniques of camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene to establish the visual style and introduce characters, narrative themes and sub-genre conventions.

Opening Credits...

Comparing opening credits of...
Gangster films - Reservoir Dogs...


The title sequence of the film Reservoir Dogs comes over as being as the genre of gangster. This is because the music is quite layed back and chilled out, comes over as also being America type music. This may show the typical Gangster film as American a quite chilled out and sly. Old car in the back, maybe connoting that it isn't a modern film, maybe set in the 1990's by looking at the car. Group of men walking together in a group with black suits and black glasses, stereotypical Gangster costume.

Opening Credits...

Comparing Opening Credits of...
War film - The Boy In the Stripped Pyjamas. finishes aprox 3.50 of these clip...


In this title sequence of the war film, 'The Boy in The Stripped Pyjamas', it begins with a red background, with some of the actors/actresses names coming up. This red background then turns into a Nazi symbol which connotes the idea of it being a war film. Then the shot changes to children playing outside, but then in the reflection of the puddle in which the little boy steps in, there is the Nazi symbol, this may connote to the audience that the area in which these people are in, are on the side of the Nazi Party. The setting starts outside on the street, then into a house, which is firstly shown with maids laying dinner sets out, maybe connoting that these people are rich. The the clip turns to people being pushed and shoved into army vans; which shows they are being forced out of that area, then the clip goes back to the house and people being happy. This shows that these people are leaving in an area which comes across from the opening titles as being quite restrained in the area.

Continuity Piece

About the continuity piece...

What did you find difficult about this task?
During this task I found the production of the filming one of the most difficult, as while I was filming each piece I realised how important it was to make sure things hadn't changed in the scene, for example, lighting or new objects in the camera shot. I also found it quite difficult to position the camera in each shot; making sure the camera didn't move too fast, whcih could make parts of the scene look too rushed and sudden.

What worked well?
I feel that during the continuity piece, the general camera angles and shots worked well as our group used the three main camera shots and rules: shot reverse shot, match-on-action shot and 180 degree rule. I also felt that overall the general editing of the piece was developed and produced very well as the different scenes were shot in different order, making it harder to edit.

What could you or your team have done better?
I feel that the group could have done better in this task, and improve the sequence as I felt the piece of work didn't flow consistently when edited. I also felt that we could improve it by making sure everyone is quiet in the room in the background in which we are filming in because the people in the background seem louder in some parts than the actual actors, who we were filming. The last thing in which I feel could be improved would be the general conversion and topic in which they were being filmed for, as I felt the conversion seemed rather plain and needed something interesting to capture the audience.

What new skills have you acquired or developed?
While doing this task, I felt that I was able to develop the skills of using the Mac computers to edit the video clips, as before this task I wasn't very confident with using them. I also feel that I have gained a greater knowledge of filming a continuity piece; learning the different shots which should be used, including: match-on-action shot and the 180 degree rule.