Se7en

In todays lesson, we looked at the opening of the psychological thriller, Se7en, we were analysing this based on the four categories: Sound, camera angles and movement, mise-en-scene and editing.

We broke off into groups of four, and took a category each. I was given Sound. In the opening of Se7en, I observed that:

• Police Sirens, Radio and Rain were used digetically but enhanced to show the quietness of the scene except for these features. 
• Dialogued was used when the police talked, they use typical police dialogue, and it was an agitated scene, this is reflected in the police mans tone. Dialogue between main characters is relaxed but polite, colloquialisms are used to add an modern effect to the opening.
• The ticking of the metronome was enhanced to create further tension, this could reflect heartbeats, a change in time and could reflect the main protagonist's tidy normality. The ticking is prominent over the low background noise, this could suggest that he is trying to concentrate and the metronome helps to blur the background noise. 
• The credits use a creepy music, which almost reflects machinery, the high pitched noises could reflect screams and the whole tune is more ambient noises rather than a melody, the sounds could represent chases, and deaths. The changing pace of the music adds tension. 

Then we stopped to discuss, and gave each other our ideas. 

Camera Angles and Movement:

• Mid Shots are used to show the surroundings. 
• Close up shots are used to show facial expressions of the actor/s
• Tracking Shots display dull wet weather and setting. 
• Long shots are used to give a view of character setting
• Extreme Close Ups are used to show the books, needles, pictures, writing etc, this makes the viewer suspicious, as they can't see what's going on and ominous tone adds to mystery.

Mise-En-Scene:

• Set in a house at first, then moves into another (rundown) house to investigate a crime. 
• Set in  urban area
• Costumes - Long Coats, Hats, Ties, Shirts, Suit, Jacket, Guns. All typicall detective clothings. 
• Metronome adds to anxious opening. 
• Props - Needles, Books, Razor, Dim lighting, Natural lighting, rainy weather
• Facial Expressions - Simple, calm, not disturbed/worried by crime. Doesn't let it phase them, the fridge with the childs work, blood, body, simple homes, decrepid homes
• Passing People

Editing:

• Straight Cuts, graphic matches
• Movements in time (temporal)
• Cutting between person and metronome
• Quick Cuts, match on action
• Focusing on metronome
• Fades, Dissolving, Black outs, overlaps. Causes confusion, could connatate antagonists mental state, but is also a very organised person.
• Greyscale
• Reds, blood like colours
• Actors names 
• Flashes
• Shows day (Monday)
• The title - Se7en.