The document analyzes the opening title sequences of two films: Se7en and Casino Royale. For Se7en, the title sequence uses dark lighting, suspenseful music, and montages of cryptic objects to set a mysterious and tense mood without revealing details of the plot or location. For Casino Royale, the opening immediately establishes the location of Prague and introduces a character through a tense fight scene involving guns, hinting at themes of action, mystery, and crime without fully establishing the plot. Both openings aim to draw in audiences through suspense and an unsettled tone.

1. Double indemnity Casino Royale LA confidential Se7enZodiac (2007) Outbreak
Established first
Established last
Themes Tone/mood Plot Genre Character Location
Not Established
Established 2nd
Established 3rd
Established 4th
Established 5th

2. Se7en
The title sequence does not include any long shots of the setting however due to props used such as a
blade, a pen, book and needle, you would assume that it is within an indoors setting such as a home
or office. But due to the fact that not much is given away, it develops a sense of suspense for the
audience. The props that are seen, for example pens, books, photos and files, associate with detective
work- giving the audience a hint of what the film is based around. The position of the objects are all
very close up shots which builds tension as the audience are unsure of whom may be behind them.
The lighting and colour throughout the title sequence is dark, suggesting that there is mystery and
danger within a plot that is likely to be serious. Low key lighting is used to further link to the suspense,
mystery and danger- all themes revolved around the film and genre. The fact that the opening is a
montage of clips, not in chronological order once again could be linked to an investigation of some
sort. Most of the clips are short and fast but some however seem to be in slow motion- developing a
slower pace. The transitions used vary in that they differ from straight cuts to cross fades and fades to
black. The fading and flickering animations give the clips an eerie feel for the audience- once again
hinting at the darkness of the film. Tense music is used throughout the sequence to emphasise the
themes being revealed throughout. The music follows an un even pattern making the audience feel
uncomfortable, but suspicious as to what is going to happen. It is clear that Se7en is a thriller film due
to the conventions that are shown in the title sequence such as low key lighting, tense music and
shadowing. The director has incorporated all of these techniques to draw the audience in. It is clear
that suspense is key in doing this.
The sequence leaves me asking a number of questions such as, what are the files leading to?, What
are the blades used for? , Who’s hand is shown? And what is the character’s role in the film?

3. Casino Royale
• Location
• Character
• Mood/tone
• Themes
• Genre
• Plot unestablished
The location (Prague) appears at the very start of the opening, establishing a location.
A man then appears (not the main character) and finds that there is someone behind
him in his dark office, which establishes a mood/ tone of tension as well as the
character. Themes are established through guns and fighting which then links into the
genre. Due to iconography of action and mystery but also what appears to be crime
and conflict hints that the film is a thriller.
Location revealed Shadowing Tense fight Gun

4. The opening of the sequence reveals the location with text. After a shot of an
office block. The camera then takes us into the building with a full camera
shot of an office desk, chairs and one small lamp proving a tiny amount of
light for the whole room. This makes the room overall very dark and
shadowed. This immediately links to a thriller convention- low key lighting.