Se7en
Titles
In the opening title sequence of se7en the titles
look hand written , and are in front of a
completely black background. The dark
background makes the titles seem more rough
and ridged , which adds to the effect of the
opening title sequence. The font of the titles links
in with the other images in the title sequence.
Most of the titles are quite small but they still show
the characters involved and what kind of movie it is going to be. The way the font of
the titles is written , adds to the mystery of the opening title sequence.
Mise En Scene
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There are not many objects used in
this opening title sequence but the
objects that are used , are very
effective. You see a lot of books and
a mysterious person writing and
crossing off names which is very
creepy. The character comes off as a
very mysterious and strange person ,
by what he is doing. For example at
one point you see the character
sewing pages of a book together.
presumably you think this man is the
antagonist.
Cinematography
In the opening title sequence of Se7en , a lot of camera shots and effects
are used. There are a lot of close ups of the mysterious mans
finger nails and hands , but none of his face. This gives the
effect that the character is very creepy. The opening title
sequence starts with an establishing shot of someone's hands ,
then it continues with close ups of his hands for the majority of
the opening sequence. All the camera shots give the effect of
mystery and that we do not really know what this character is
doing. I think that was that effect worked very well and gave a
sense of thrill to the audience.
Sound
The sound fits in perfectly with the characterisation , setting and the camera shots used. The
soundtrack is almost like a heartbeat at times , that gives the effect of anticipation and thrill. It
also includes some screeching at times , which adds to the mystery of this unknown character.
the sound effects used are almost very silent but quite eerie. Without the sound effects you
would not get such a scary feeling and creepiness from this character. The soundtrack does not
seem to get faster at any point , it just stays at the same pace.
Shutter Island
Titles
In the Shutter island opening title sequence the
titles are clear and bold. The titles clearly show the
character names boldly behind a black background.
The titles fade from the camera shot , which makes
a really great effect. The font of the titles are
normal and clear , all the titles seem to appear on
the screen quite suddenly. At the beginning of the
opening title sequence the titles flash up red and
they fade quickly in and out of the camera shot. This
adds to the effect at the beginning and even gives a
sense of thrill to the audience.
Mise En Scene
The scene does not really get set in the opening
credits. There are a lot of different sets but it is hard
to piece them together. There is one shot of a foot on
a gun , which could indicate a detective or a death.
There is also camera view of some spiral stairs and
the camera travels down them , this could add to the
psychological part of the opening title sequence. You
also see a prison , which shows it is a crime thriller.
The whole opening title sequence is very confusing
but since it is a psychological thriller , maybe that was
the effect they were going for.
Cinematography
There are lots of different camera shots used in the
opening title sequence of shutter island. The sequence
starts with a medium close up of a hallway with a prison
cell at the end. As seen in the picture , the prison cell
gives quite a isolated effect. The camera then goes onto
a shot of some spiral stairs and the shot turns into a
tracking shot going down the stairs. This adds a
psychological effect to the opening title sequence.
There is also an establishing shot of what looks like a
prison and as the camera comes towards the building ,
the gates open. This is used very well and gives you a
great insight into the prison.
Sound
The soundtrack used is quite slow and quite eerie. The sound fits in well with the camera
shots and the effect of the opening credits. The sound isn’t a fast beat and it almost goes
along side your heartbeat , this is a great effect to use in thrillers. The soundtrack gains
pace as you start to uncover more about the opening sequence , and towards the end it
turns into a loud scary beat.
Hostage
Titles
In the opening title sequence of Hostage
titles are used in an emphatic way. The
main title of the film appears boldly in
bright red over a birds eye view of a city.
Then the titles of characters appear on
the side of buildings. This is a very
effective and takes a different style to a
opening title sequence. The titles also
appear on lamp posts and aerials
throughout the city. The titles are in a
bold font and they contrast with the
deep red sky. The titles in this opening
title sequence are different and that’s
why it is so effective.
Mise En Scene
The set in this title sequence is a city.
The city is seen as a type of cartoon
and within this city there are soldiers
with guns. The way the camera views
the city , it makes the people seem
small and that effect is also used on
the buildings. The set is the city and
that is the only thing you see , as well
as these soldiers. The sky is a deep red
colour which could indicate blood or
death , and also the city seems quite
run down and empty , which could
have been the effect they were going
for.
Cinematography
The camera angles change a lot in this
opening title sequence. The sequence
starts with a birds eye view shot of the city
then the camera goes through the city ,
this is a tacking shot . As the camera goes
through the city , you start to uncover
more about the city and what is
happening. There are so many different
camera angles used and they change after
every title. Establishing shots are used ,
medium close ups and close ups just to
name a few different ones used.
Sound
The soundtrack used is quite a scary. It is quite a subtle soundtrack but is very effective , because
it fits in with the tracking shot of the city. The sound gets louder as the opening sequence
progresses and more of the city is unveiled . Towards the end the soundtrack gains pace and
starts to get louder and the beat starts to go simultaneously with your heartbeat , which is a
great effect and starts to thrill the audience from the very start.