Analyzing the opening sequence of a thriller: Seven

The film I looked at for the Thriller genre was: Seven (1995) Directed by David Fincher. 

Seven was released on September 22 1995 (USA) where it grossed $ 13.9 million on its opening weekend. It went on to gross a world total of $327.3 million, making Seven the seventh-highest grossing film in 1995. Seven was a commercial success, and received very positive reviews from most critics and currently has an 85% rating at Rotten Tomatoes.  
Seven is a thriller film, which also contains horror and neo-noir elements, it was directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. It was distributed by New Line Cinema. David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Freeman) are police detectives, who become involved in a case involving a series of sadistic murders. Each murder relating to one of the seven deadly sins.

The title sequence shows an unknown person creating a scrapbook, which contains graphic and horrific images of potential ‘victims’ with their eyes having been crossed out; images of naked children; lots of writing (some biblical) with certain words being scribbled out. These disturbing sites show an incite into the ‘villains’ mind set, the crossing out of the eyes shows a power/control over the victim but also it could show that the person is ashamed of what he has done and there can not 'look this person in the eye' anymore. He is obviously to be seen as sadistic and mentally unstable as he is editing this scrapbook into a diary of events and ideas using vile images etc. The scrapbook also contained a locket of hair, most likely to one from one of his victims, yet again showing the sadistic side to him as he would be keeping this as a reminder/reward of what he did to her. Also the persons fingers are shown as he makes the scrapbook, however the top of the fingers have been shaved off, representing a self loathing and shaving the tops of fingers mean no finger prints, showing this person is a criminal who knows what they are doing. The word 'God' has been taken out of a dollar, as maybe the person doesn't want God to be associated with money, as money = greed which is a deadly sin. in this the credits appear on screen in a jumpy, dark fashion. This was done to create the atmosphere of what the film is going to be like: unexpected, eerie etc as it is a thriller/horror hybrid film. The writing for the credits are done in a scratched style but can also been seen as a childish hand writing, possibly to show the antagonist minds set is not all there. 

This title sequence used many close ups and extreme close up shots on the scrapbook etc. An example is an ECU is used on the person turning the pages and of his hands. The close ups on the scrapbook are used to show the viewer that he antagonist is obsessive over his work as he records it all and makes edits on it and shows how sick the person is for having such images in there. Also these sorts of shots were used so that the viewer could not see who the person is, which creates suspense. 

This screengrab shows the childish writing in which the credits are shown.

The editing used is choppy, fast and erratic to possibly show the mind set of this character, as the edits are to be seen as irregular just like how the person thoughts are irregular. There is also a use of superimposed images, to show the messed up thoughts the person is having. Fades are used but at a quick speed to build up tension. 

This screengrab shows the close up on the scrapbook when the person is scribbling out the eyes. 

The sound used is mostly of eerie non diegetic music, to create the atmosphere and make the viewer feel uncomfortable There are sounds such as grinding, screeching etc to represent the unpleasantness of this persons personality. Also to be heard is a ticking sound possibly to show time is running out for this person. 

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This is the title sequence to Seven.