Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Textual Analysis on the opening of the movie 'Se7en'.



Textual analysis on Se7en

Insert, non-continuity, cross cutting, continuity, shot/reverse, jump cut

 

In general, the editing is very sudden and quick, to indicate the pace of the film’s context, this is especially shown through the use of cross cutting and jump cuts between and during the scenes, like from the apartment and to the crime scene.  Inserts are used often for example, when Freeman’s character is organising his possessions an insert is used to display their significance towards the character. Another insert is used again, on the metronome implying the importance of its being there and how it relates to the situation.  Shot/reverse shot are displayed amid Pitt and Freeman’s characters whilst conversing, connoting the shared partnership.

Mise-en-scene:

The scene starts with all bright colours and the clothing that Morgan Freeman’s character is wearing is white, this could possibly connote happiness. When he starts to get ready for the case that he is investigating he puts on darker clothing and the building that he is investigating in has much dimmer/darker lighting. This could be to represent death as they are looking into a murder case and the colour black is often a connotation of death.  Stay classy. The metronome may be to represent that he is running out of time with the case that he is investigating. It could also be to show that the more time he takes investigating, the more death there will be. The use of mise-en-scene is interesting in the opening credits of the film because it is all dark colours and you can see photographs of people with black pen over them, possibly representing the people that have lost their life. The rain could connote the sadness that the characters are feeling as people have lost their lives and they are finding it difficult to solve the case.

Camera:

Over the shoulder shot used when he is looking in the mirror, this shows that he cares about the way that he looks; he is professional. Medium shot used to clearly show the blood on the wall to represent the death that has taken place. The close up on the metronome represents that he is running out of time. The constant changing of camera shots during the opening credits represent that the characters are desperate to solve the case and they are worried that they won’t be able to find the conclusion to it.
The clip begins with Morgan Freeman in his apartment wearing a white shirt these bright colours connote that he is the central protagonist, although it is soon followed by him covering up with dark colours connoting that the equilibrium that begins the scene will soon be followed by the murder, creating disequilibrium. The continuity in the scene resembles his life and how long he has been around. The lack of sound within the scene creates tension and suspense to what is going to happen throughout the film using foreshadowing. The penknife that is organised on the bed shows his old fashion style towards the job, which links to how the crime will be solved this is shown using an insert is used to display their significance towards the character. The organisation between the objects on the bed resembles that he has a methodical approach. The editing is very sudden using jump cuts and cross cutting between and during the scenes, the use of these cuts

 

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