Se7en Title Sequence

Se7en's title sequence is conventionally excellent in regards to the thriller genre, and too it's psychological and crime sub-genres. The main justification of this is extremely heavy reliance of the Theatre of the Mind technique, a technique characterised mainly for its use in thriller films. Throughout the entire introduction, we are teased with extremely restrictive shots revealing seemingly gruesome activities using a myriad of strange peculiar props. Due to this limited directing style, we are not able to ever clearly judge what it is the hands at work are actually doing. However, it appears considerably gruesome. Furthermore, the sequence features extremely fast paced editing with extremely short take durations. By doing this, we rapidly move from one scene to the next, and are never able to examine one particular activity in detail. This adds to the Theatre of the Mind effect. As well as this, this frantic editing creates a sense of chaos; disruption of normality is another convention of the thriller genre, and this is an example of how it occurs.

As well as this, the sequence utilises a very specific choice of mise en scene. Although only a very small amount of it is actually revealed to us, props include the likes extremely rusty metal tools (prongs, needles, so on) as well corpses. While this may more commonly be associated with the thriller genre, it stands to suggest a psychologically strange individual -- someone who divulges in such activities can not be considered "normal". Furthermore, the existence of the corpses stands to suggest some sort of criminality, linking to the film's sub-genre of crime. This is too supported by the editing which intersperses these scenes of peculiar activities with shots of citizen files and police-like data.

Finally, another positive is the choice and editing of the titles themselves. The font chosen is extremely irregular bouncing from simply messy, undeveloped handwriting to that that almost mimmics a child. As well as this, it seems to flicker around, never consistent. This seems to connote psychological impairment, suggesting that the adult may be stuck in a more childlike stage of development. As well as this, the fact it is not able to remain stable is unnerving, and these all support a theme of disruption of the norm -- breaking the expectations we have.

While it has these positives, one flaw in its design is it not very effecient as an introductory scene: it does not stand to introduce any characters, plots or content in regards to the film itself.