Section 2

Se7en Write up

Seven is a thriller, produced in 1995, directed by David Fincher.
From early on we learn that Se7en follows a linear narrative. We see this through the introduction of the characters, and we realise the storyline is of Seven deadly sins and that we are following this story along a week long period in a chronological order. Se7en follows a number of Thriller codes and conventions. A highly noticeable one is Partial vision, an idea created by Pascal Bonitzer.A main way in which they do this, is by putting the audience in the position of being the '3rd detective' so they want them to try and solve the mystery from the clues they are given but not solve it until the end. Again going along with ideas from W H MatthewsAs the film follows the Seven Deadly Sins, this is a form of maze, relating again to W H Matthews using the labyrinth with dead ends etc.Another obvious code and convention is the setting, the film is set in a bit city, the urban landscape, like Chesterton suggests, so that its busy and crimes can go unnoticed. Also to bring excitement into the boring everyday city life.They also meet the conventions withs their characters, as they include an obvious villain; John Doe, and the heroes; Somerset and Mills. Although, they also play on the convention of 'is it morally right for the hero to survive' as at the end, Mills does shoot John Doe, suggested by Noel Carroll.Camera work is also a heavy feature in creating the thriller. Throughout the film, we are given the impression that John Doe is winning against the detectives.This is especially shown in the final scene in the dessert, they use low angle shots to give the impression to go along with Somersets 'John Doe has the upper-hand', and these angles put him in a powerful position to the audience.They also place him in the frame, so that he is blocking out the sun, connoting importance.They also use low angle shots on Detective Mill's when he is shooting John Doe to show he has regained full power, and it focuses on his face to show emotion.The mis-en-scene is also a way to make the film more realistic to the audience. We see both Mills and Somerset in long coats which connotes the idea of them being detectives.The lighting throughout the film is quite dark with a lot of shadows, aiding to the partial vision. Then introducing lights into the sections where revelation is given.The make-up shows personality, with Somerset very neat compared to Mill's rougher look with bruises and cuts. Mills' look shows his younger, more naive personality compared to Somersets wiser, more experiences personality. The setting again goes along with the codes and conventions as the the rain aids the urban landscape feel.Props are heavily featured throughout to make it more realistic with items such as guns, body parts, blood, and the pictures, maps and books in John Doe's apartment. They use these to show how its meticulously planned, to give it a sinister feel.Sound also plays a large part in creating atmosphere throughout. Diagetic sounds, within the film, such as gunshots, sirens, cars etc, are used as it makes it more realistic and shows that they are in a big city.Internal diagetic, gives an impression of being someones conscience, where the audience can learn extra information but not all characters can hear it.And non-diagetic such as soundtracks, which only the audience can hear, is a main way to create suspense. It builds up tensions with speeds and loudness.Editing again makes it more realistic, an is a good way to represent periods of time. Cross cutting is often featured to show sharp differences between characters, An example of this is where Somerset is in the library and Mills is at home watching TV. They switch between the two to show they are at the same time.They make the camera the 3rd person in the bar to make the audience feel involved, and again like the '3rd detective'.Shot reverse shot is used to show reactions and conversations. These are used in the car and chase scenes.And finally graphics used from the start such as fonts on the title. They use a typing font, which seems scattered to give a distressed impression.Also the colours they use are dark; red, black, white, which also relates to the dark urban landscape.Another thing from the start, is the montage of John Doe's activities, such as creating diaries and the photos. This creates unanswered questions from the start, again an idea from Noel Carroll.

Analysing 5 Thriller Openings

We analysed the openings of five thriller films; Red Eye, State of Play, Strangers on a Train, The Day After Tomorrow and Sin City.

Red Eye directed by Wez Craven in 2004, from the start complies with a number of thriller codes and conventions.

John Cawelti's idea of the exotic is show from the start, the item in this case being the wallet. We can tell this from camera angles, such as the zoomed in focus on the wallet to show it is an important item in the film.

This also connects to Pascal Bonitzer's idea of partial vision; the audience knows the wallet is important but not why it is. This is also shown through edits such as fades and blurs so you do not see the whole scene.

Another obvious thing is that it is set in an urban landscape, as we see numerous sky scrapers and a hotel room. Others include things such as the villains, these are represented in two ways. The more important ones dressed in suits, and their workers; 'the thugs' dressed in jumpers, hats and gloves etc, difference in costume representing difference in power. Also, the fact it is set at night and how it is set in the docks, where no one is around. This is a version of partial vision, and makes it more mysterious.

Camera zooms on other props such as photos which are of the victims family, in normal settings like graduation so that the audience can relate and see they are a normal family, are used to give clues and introduce characters. This creates unanswered questions relating to Noel Carroll and bringing up the survival of the hero and the moral factor.

When the wallet gets taken,it is transferred in a box by the thugs, in a van to the docks.

All going along with the villain feel. During this scene, they use camera angles to create the affect. They create a montage with a sequence of small clips, using high/low angles, over the shoulder shots, and they use tracking across the crate focusing on props such as the crow bar. All these shots show parts of whats going on, but not all to build up tension. Blurring and fades are used a lot here.

The mise-en-scene is heavily important in the film. The props such as blue prints, envelopes, keys all show that what is happening is planned. This is also shown in the credits, they are done in a simple courier font on a black screen, gives the feel that is to do with business and serious/planned. It is also shown in the performance of the hired thugs, being fast and efficient; knowing what they've got to do.

There is also a lot of diagetic sound, such as keys in doors, showers and airplanes to represent the urban landscape. Also some non-diagetic to build up emotion and show that something is going to happen.

The second thriller opening we looked at was Strangers on a Train, directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951.

We can tell that the narrative structure of this film in linear, as we meet the characters at the start of their journey at the train station and then see it through on to the train so the story takes us along on the journey.

A main code and convention it shows is the setting being an urban landscape, as suggested as G K Chesterton. We know this as it is set in a train station with a lot of people walking around, showing that it is busy and giving the feel its in a city, as many are in suits etc.

Another important code and convention is the use of partial vision. For a majority of the first scene, the camera focuses just on the bottom half of the characters, the legs. So, the audience doesn't get the full picture or know who the men are, following Noel Carrolls question and answer model. At the same time as conforming to the partial vision code and convention, it also goes against the normal codes and conventions as the legs are the only thing you can see, usually you can see the characters full bodies.

Also, an point that goes with W H Matthews theory of a puzzling journey or a maze, is obviously followed through by the fact that they are on a train journey, so we then see what happens along it. And finally having Northtrop Frye's theory of using 'ordinary people' for the characters, so with the interjection of the unknown in modern life, the audience can still relate.

The opening uses a establishing shot to show its in an urban landscape, and then uses low angle shots to look up at the businessmen and make them seem powerful. It then uses a point of view shot, being the train to show the setting, also used as a filler. It also uses the 180 degree rule, close ups and panning shots, all to accompany the theory of partial vision, not letting the audience see the whole scene, e.g. panning only shows the legs.

Once on the train, props costume and performance make it more realistic. The lighting at the start is bright in the day time, but gets darker on the train as the storyline and conversation gets darker.

The setting of the train, which is modern, is made more realistic with tables, sofas and luggage compartments, both these things go with the urban landscape theory.

The costume of the characters are suits, with combed hair, ties and smart shoes, all representing they are 'normal' as this was the usual dress at the time. Also the performance is very intimate creating fear and the unknown.

Sound featured includes non diagetic dramatic classical music, its an orchestral piece and isn't thrilling but fits with the characters at the time. It also features a diagetic sound of the train horn to make it realistic.

The opening features a montage, long clips of walking, and also cross cutting, to show two different locations at one time. They also use a fade to represent time, and then edit in the credits as the car is driving in. The credits are of a large bold font, white and stands out. It takes up the whole screen as often seen from films of this time which the most important people at the top.

The third opening we analysed was State of Play, directed by Kevin MacDonald in 2008.
From the opening it seems that the narrative structure in non-linear, as we get a feeling that we are receiving the background story before going into the main story.

Again, it meets many codes and conventions. it meets Chestertons urban landscape theory being in a city, and adds to this with rain, and the fact that its dark. The dark also leads to shadows which go along with Bonitzers theory of partial vision. The opening also agrees with Chesterton as they introduce excitement in to every day city life; we see a couple shopping, then a man runs into them and across the road. They also meet Caweltis idea of 'the exotic', in this case the object is the briefcase, as we don't know whats it it but know its important. And finally they use Carroll's idea of the hero surviving, as the ordinary person survives after 2 shots, and it also involves the police.
They use an overhead establishing shot to show the setting is a city; urban landscape. They then follow this with a lot of hand held camera as its fast and jerky. This is to make the chase scene realistic as if it was on a still camera you wouldn't get the fast and urgent feeling. They also include a low angle shot of the shooter to make him seem powerful, and point of view shot of the briefcase so that you know it is important. And finally zooms in on the man who had been shot, to show he is still alive, and important.

The lighting throughout most of the opening is quite dark, to create the partial vision idea through silhouettes, and fits in with the rain, and the fact that they are down a dark alley for a lot of it. The costume fits in with the city landscape as it is casual and modern, jeans and a hoody. However, the gunman is in smart clothing to show how he is more important and that he's a professional for this job. Props used to make it seem more realistic include things in the shop windows at the start, then the weapons, suitcases and also the forms of transport. The bicycle is used as it gives a less aggressive feel, and make him more vulnerable. Also, the performance aids to make it more realistic, as we can hear the man who gets shot breathing heavily as he runs and he slows down as he gets tired.

There is a lot of diagetic sounds to give the feel of an urban landscape such as traffic and talking, but they also use many to create a sense of danger which still fit into the urban setting such as helicopter, sirens, gun shots, crashes, metal gates, and skidding. There is also howls and thunder to carry on the codes and conventions. And they emphasize some sounds such as the frantic running and heavy breathing and fade this out when the characters becomes calmer. They also use non-diagetic as they introduce music when the man on the bike comes in.

At the start of the chase scene it feels like there are a lot of quick cuts but actually the shots are quite long and only increase when the character goes into the alleyway to represent the increase in pace and to show how he's more desperate. They then slow down when he's calming down, creating a false sense of security. And used quick shots from the victim, to suitcase, to shooter to show importance of all 3.

Finally, the graphics are small and discreet so not to distract from the frantic scene. However, they are in a military type font, which connotes a hard feeling, and also the text jumps to give a broken feeling maybe like the characters life, to show he's important to the film as well.

The last 2 opening were ones chosen ourselves. I firstly looked at A Day After Tomorrow.

As the opening starts with action, the ice cracking, it looks to be non-linear, as it starts with the problem and then we expect it to go back and show the reason why this happened.

The opening scene of this film doesn't meet as many codes and conventions as usual, as much of the first scene is setting the scene. Due to this it meets Bonitzers idea of partial vision, as the audience doesn't really know whats going on. However, it also break codes and conventions. The snowy setting is the opposite to the urban landscape where things like this usually happens, however at the same time this agrees with Caweltis idea of bringing the exotic into every day life. However, while it is in the snow, the characters are working in some sort of laboratory which is full of high tech machines which shows its modern. And, as the film goes on, it is in a large city, urban landscape, where there is extreme weather conditions that fir the thriller theme; rain and thunder.

Much o the opening is filled with a tracking point of view shot. It gives the audience the feeling they are like a bird, or a plane flying over the landscape. This is to show the enormity of the snow.

It then zooms in on to the three characters, and uses the 180 degree rule so we can see the two characters having a conversation. Inside the lab setting, it then uses a low angle shot to look up at one of the scientist teams which makes him seem intelligent and powerful as he knows how to use the equipment. It then uses close ups on a lot of moving machinery so the audience can see what is going on and see it is big and important. It then tracks the ice as it cracks, and then zooms in on the characters face to see his emotion change. Next, it has an over the head shot to show that the characters are in danger. it then zooms out to an establishing shot to show the extent of the ice crack.

The mis-en-scene is constantly very dramatic. We see huge mountains and masses of water with ice. Also the first thing we see when we see the characters is a close up of the American flag flying in the wind, showing who is involved and connoting important. The costumes also contain the American logo, and these add to the realism of the conditions as they have full snow suits on, goggles hats and big boots. They also have ice hanging of their bears. Inside and around the laboratory they have a lot of professional looking equipment to show they're trained and this is an important mission, as they have ice picks etc on their suits. The performance also aids to this as they use technical terms when talking.

They use a very dramatic piece of non-diagetic orchestral music to go along side the dramatic landscape scenes you view, and this gets more dramatic to build tension, the music is quite stereotypical. Diagetic sounds featured include the wind, especially with the flag, and cracking of the ice to make it realistic and conversation.

The opening features scrolling credits and these are featured at the bottom of the screen to give emphasis to the image. The font is square and serious, and features a shadow behind to show importance, against a black background.

The final opening I looked out was Sin City, co-directed by Robert Rodrigues and Frank Miller in 2005.

This opening met the most thriller codes and conventions. Firstly, it meets Chestertons urban landscape theory as it is obviously in a large modern city, as we see sky scrapers etc. It is also set at night, with rain, which also links to the theory. Also it meets Frye's theory of romance in a city, and how this suspends the law of nature. At the 'romantic point' of the opening, the rest of the city seems still and quiet. It also meets the codes and conventions wit the use of a gun, and the 'hit man'. It also meets Saurbergs idea of concealment and protraction and we first endure the conversation.

They use an establishing shot to set the urban scene, with the character in the centre of the shot, to show she is the focus. It then switches round to a deep focus mid shot, showing both important characters to focus on. It then uses the 180 degree rule to show conversation, it is zoomed in during this to show emotion of the characters. It then looks from an over head point of view, with the rain coming down from this point so it feels as the audience in the sky, to look at the scene below. Then it zooms out in a spinning motion, to give a confused feeling of what has happened, linking to Carrolls question theory, this shot shows the whole city.

The two characters are both dressed very smartly, the woman in a floor length red dress, heels, with red lipstick, and the man in a smart suit, with slicked over hair. The formal wear and props such as drinks give the idea they are at a party and have gone on to the roof. The roof is shown from the bricks and the view. Props to fit in with the thriller genre and things like the light and cigarettes, to give an 'edgy' feel and also how a weapon in used. the performance is very intimate to get the audience to relate, and the murder is very sudden and hidden to show the shooter was hired and ready.

Diagetic sounds to show the urban landscape are things such as car sounds, and also the gun shot, and there is also the dialogue. Non -diagetic music includes music which builds up the tension as it uses drum beats and speeds up.

The most noticeable thing about this film is that the whole opening is done in a cartoon feel, black white and red to keep it simple. but these are bold colours to draw the eye. It shows just silhouettes at points to make it very mysterious, Carrolls protracting and creating questions techniques. The credits are also in red, to represent blood and danger and are bold and masculine but fade our around the edges to make it interesting. Blood also seeps on the monochromatic building to show murder.