The opening sequence of the film Se7en establishes that an unseen character is meticulously assembling a scrapbook with disturbing images and crossed-out text. Shots of hands flipping pages and words being written in a child-like style are intercut with distorted pictures that confuse the audience. The character selects the word "God" from a newspaper, indicating religion will be a central theme. The unidentified person is only shown in shadows or blurs, keeping their identity mysterious. An ominous, industrial soundtrack sets an unpleasant tone that builds tension throughout the one-minute opening.

1. Analysing opening thriller sequences<br />-704850359410Se7en, David Fincher (1995)<br />-6381753028950The opening sequence to se7en (1995) an American psychological thriller film starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, directed by David Fincher. The establishing shot in this opening sequence is a mid shot of a book and the pages being turned, there is a tint to this shot with harsh lighting creating shadows and we can see a hand blurred turning the pages in the background. There are different sized shots and it cuts to shots of actresses/actors names being shown in white child-like handwriting on a black screen, lights seem to flash making the text look as if its shaken. In this opening sequence we can tell its someone making a scrapbook as they are collecting images and text, as well as writing things down. There is an eerie image of a man’s head being sewn, also whoever is making the scrapbook crosses out a face of a child in thick black pen. Highlighting that this movie has a psychological side to it and you are really going to have to think about what you’re seeing and pay close attention. The book seems organised and sewing the pages together shows precision and accuracy, we can tell that this character is regimented and has order. The hands shown look manly and they have dirty fingernails, so as an audience we assume it is a male character. Distorted images are shown making the audience question and wonder what is going on, making viewers try to piece everything together. The character selects the word ‘God’ from a newspaper, suggesting that this movie has a lot to do with God and religion. When the mysterious character crosses out certain words in a book with a thick black pen, i.e. ‘heterosexual, transsexual’ which certain religion are heavily opposed too, this connotates further that religion plays a big part in this movie. A variation of shot sizes are shown, ranging from mid shots to close ups and back. The editing not being continual flow adds an air of mystery to the opening sequence; you have to pay closer attention as it is not one flowing piece of action shown. In the opening sequence we do not ever see the face of the character, just their hands so the identity of the main character is yet to be revealed. The character is only ever shown in shadows or blurs keeping their identity a mystery. Asynchronously the soundtrack fits the mood of the opening sequence perfectly; its low beats and harsh sounds contribute to the threatening and unpleasant atmosphere. The sounds appear to be distorted, they could be mechanical devices or some form of machinery. They sound as if they are coming from a warehouse or a hospital; these types of sounds make an audience want to anchor these sounds to a location. The low continuous beat in the soundtrack is at a medium pace, not too fast but not too slow thus setting the pace and tone of the movie. Approximately one minute into the opening sequence harsh sharp sounds are added creating a tense atmosphere as well as adding pace. At the end of the opening sequence 4381500-676275there’s non-diagetic dialogue “you’ve got me closer to God” further emphasizing the fact that religion will play a big part in this movie. <br />