Mise En Scene:
The film itself is set within a large city, most likely to be that of New York. Our opening scene begins inside a small, quiet city apartment which is inhabited by one of our main protagonists (Detective William Somerset played by Morgan Freeman). Inside the apartment, artificial lighting is used to give the home a more realistic appearence. As well as this, Somerset is shown to be a rather withdrawn, organised character, living alone and keeping his items in an orderly fashion (props of a pocket watch, detective's badge and pen are used to show this). He is African American and in his late 50s.
We are then transported into another apartment, this time with a darker, more cramped appearence, which is revealed to be the scene of a murder. Artificial lighting is used once again, as this would've been filmed in a built in set. Later on in this scene we are introduced to out second main protagonist, Detective David Mills (played by Brad Pitt) whose body language and appearence is polar opposite to that of Somerset's; Mills being a Caucasian male in his mid thirties.
Next the characters are shot down a typical street, (under natural lighting) and under close inspection hints at the character's personas can be noticed. For example, Somerset is wearing a smart grey suit, bowler hat and beige mac, indicating that he is an older and almost experienced detective. Whereas Mills is scruffily dressed in a white shirt, mismatched tie and leather jacket, implying that he is somewhat rebellious and inexperienced. Their body language also matches up to this, Somerset being a calm and almost shy character, and Mills being loud, aggressive and very arrogant.
As we once again return to Somerset's apartment (the bedroom to be precise) the prop of a metronome is used as Somerset's loneliness and emotional detachment become evident.
After we are introduced to the characters themselves the title sequence begins, which in itself indicates that the film's theme is a Thriller with elements of Horror. Various shots of turning book pages, horrific photography and sharp objects are used to shock the audience, contrasting to the earlier more relaxed shots of Mills and Somerset. An array of fonts are used during the credits all of which are harshly spiked and white, often the fonts jump and flash around the screen, depicting the Thriller genre once more.
Camera Angles:
Fincher uses a variety of camera angles in his opening sequence, the film itself beginning with a medium shot of Somerset in his city apartment, establishing the location and main protagonist. We then get a close up of Somerset's belongings indicating his organised attitude.
As we transport to the second apartment (one of which the murder has taken place) the scene opens with a high angle shot of the victim's dead body, showing the man's helplessness.
A two shot is used as the two main protagonists first meet, their visual and personal differences therefore become more obvious to the audience. The two shot is also filmed at a low angle therefore giving the men superiority.
Once again inside Somerset's apartment, shot-reverse-shots are used between Somerset himself and a ticking metronome. The camera seems to zoom into both of these shots, closer and closer until eventually the title scene begins.
The title sequence is shot as close up of various objects,occasionally there being a high angle shot as if it were the Point of View of the anonymous character.
(Screenshots of the title sequence)
Sound Effects:
During all of our scenes in our opening sequence Fincher uses Ambient sounds such as traffic, depicting that the location is within New York. Dialogue is used between various characters also, for example, Mills and Somerset's conversation in the street. Diegetic sound can also be heard with the metronome in which
Somerset uses in his bedroom.
The title sequence itself contains a non diegetic them tune, which is rather frightening music in itself; giving a scratched and distorted sound. As the close up shots quicken as does the tempo and frequency of the non diegetic sound, until it all finally comes to a close.
Editing:
The majority of the scenes in 'Se7en' use seamless editing so that the scenes flow. However, a cut is used to first sho the audience a glimpse of a dead body, mking it seem slightly more harsh. The title sequence, holds more evidence of editing than any other scene, using an assortment of techniques: for example, Dissolves are used between close ups, as is superimposition with certain shots; some shots have even been quickened and slowed down (slow motion) to compliment botht the sound and action.
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