Se7en is a 1995 American film directed by David Fincher. The opening titles were designed by Kyle Cooper.
At the very beginning of the opening sequence we are give a look in to the character of Detective Lt. William Somerset who is played by Morgan Freeman through the use of representation and mis-en-scene. Detective Somerset is shown in the kitchen facing the sink, cleaning up coffee, wearing a white shirt and his surroundings mostly white. This could represent the image of justice as he is a detective but also purity. When you look at the window the light seems a blue in colour which in contrast with the white surrounding could represent the coldness of the world outside his apartment.
In the corner of the screen there is a chess set which could connote that he is a strategic thinker who is a step ahead, he is intelligent or could refer to the film being like a game of chess, him against the serial killer.
The tilt up of the character face, as he is tying his tie, revels the main character and how his behaviour will be, and the mood of the film will be due to his serious expression.
A close up of the table shows his badge, his pocket knife, his pen, etc. All lined up in a row, shows that he is a methodical persons. The shot of him flick the dust of his jacket represents he is observant, which is reinforced when he is walking around the crime scene, talking to the other detective at the scene.
Somerset is also portrayed as a person that care which is represent when he is asking question like if the child saw the murder take place, where the other detective reacts asking what kind of question is that. This again could also represent Somerset's attention to detail and observation.
The audience are also then introduced to Detective David Mills played by Brad Pitt, who is chewing gum, which could represent him as a cocky character, which is reinforced when Somerset and Mills step out side, after the body has been bagged, with Mills ignoring Somerset about going to a bar and continuing on about transferring and being dumper on a case in the morning of his arrival.
Somerset then asks Mills why him why he transferred, to which Mills replays cocky. To which Somerset puts him in his place, by saying that the previous work with homicides is different to where he has transferred to, to which replays he understands that. Somerset then mentions a key point, about how for the next 7 days he will remember that. This is a key point about the plot as the murders occurs over a period of 7 days, 1 per day.
The shot then jumps to Somerset reading in bed, again which represents him being intellectual. For a brief period as Somerset takes of his glasses, you can hear an argument and the street and dogs barking, which represents and conveys the image that the town is dangerous somewhat.
Somerset then reaches over to the start metronome, which ticking emphasizes the silence and the ominous atmosphere, also the dolly moving towards Somerset's face could emphasise the killer/murder coming in closer.
The scene then jumps to the title sequence which shows a close up of an empty book and a shadowy/ blurry had flicking the pages. The typography is distorted and sketchy, which could represent the murders state of mind and the the sound of the rewinding tape, could represent the killers mind replaying the same thing over in his head. The lack of colour in the opening sequence also represents the killers state of mind, dark and unfocused on reality.
The attempting scarring of the finder prints and the crossing out of a man's face could suggest he is trying to erase himself, or trying to hide who he really is.
The book the killer is compiling could suggest he is planning something, by complying photos of dead people and negatives. There are references in the opening sequence to surgery methods, such as the stitching of the book and using the scalpel and tweezers to remove the word god. The word cutting out of the word god is also symbolic suggests that he is religious and suggests the killings and religion are related. This is backed up as the killings might bring the killer 'closer to god', which is a voice over at the end of the sequence.
In the corner of the screen there is a chess set which could connote that he is a strategic thinker who is a step ahead, he is intelligent or could refer to the film being like a game of chess, him against the serial killer.
The tilt up of the character face, as he is tying his tie, revels the main character and how his behaviour will be, and the mood of the film will be due to his serious expression.
A close up of the table shows his badge, his pocket knife, his pen, etc. All lined up in a row, shows that he is a methodical persons. The shot of him flick the dust of his jacket represents he is observant, which is reinforced when he is walking around the crime scene, talking to the other detective at the scene.
Somerset is also portrayed as a person that care which is represent when he is asking question like if the child saw the murder take place, where the other detective reacts asking what kind of question is that. This again could also represent Somerset's attention to detail and observation.
The audience are also then introduced to Detective David Mills played by Brad Pitt, who is chewing gum, which could represent him as a cocky character, which is reinforced when Somerset and Mills step out side, after the body has been bagged, with Mills ignoring Somerset about going to a bar and continuing on about transferring and being dumper on a case in the morning of his arrival.
Somerset then asks Mills why him why he transferred, to which Mills replays cocky. To which Somerset puts him in his place, by saying that the previous work with homicides is different to where he has transferred to, to which replays he understands that. Somerset then mentions a key point, about how for the next 7 days he will remember that. This is a key point about the plot as the murders occurs over a period of 7 days, 1 per day.
The shot then jumps to Somerset reading in bed, again which represents him being intellectual. For a brief period as Somerset takes of his glasses, you can hear an argument and the street and dogs barking, which represents and conveys the image that the town is dangerous somewhat.
Somerset then reaches over to the start metronome, which ticking emphasizes the silence and the ominous atmosphere, also the dolly moving towards Somerset's face could emphasise the killer/murder coming in closer.
The scene then jumps to the title sequence which shows a close up of an empty book and a shadowy/ blurry had flicking the pages. The typography is distorted and sketchy, which could represent the murders state of mind and the the sound of the rewinding tape, could represent the killers mind replaying the same thing over in his head. The lack of colour in the opening sequence also represents the killers state of mind, dark and unfocused on reality.
The attempting scarring of the finder prints and the crossing out of a man's face could suggest he is trying to erase himself, or trying to hide who he really is.
The book the killer is compiling could suggest he is planning something, by complying photos of dead people and negatives. There are references in the opening sequence to surgery methods, such as the stitching of the book and using the scalpel and tweezers to remove the word god. The word cutting out of the word god is also symbolic suggests that he is religious and suggests the killings and religion are related. This is backed up as the killings might bring the killer 'closer to god', which is a voice over at the end of the sequence.
