The Thriller i have firstly chosen to analyse is Seven a thiller staring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as detectives hunting down a murderer who always seems to be one step ahead of them.
In the opening scene, Morgan Freeman is getting ready for work, attending a crime scene. The technicle codes used in this scene varie- in general the whole scene is shot in medium shot, meaning you can both the character body posture and facial expression. Most of the shots of both of the main characters are filmed from a low angle pointing up giving both character dominance, so they look powerful, like the police officers they are. This dominance technique is also used on the metronome at the end of the initial scene.
Secondly the lighting used throught the opening scene is low key, this sets both the dark, dull disorientation and the depressing, brutal jobs the police force deal with in their day-today lives. Most of the initial scene is dull and dark colours, faded navy blues, greys, dirty browns, and off whites. Further to this the islotion of his dark room is highlighted as light seaps through the window, this arguably represents the dark, gritty genre in which seven is associated. When the metronome appears on screen, at the end of the title sequence, it is lit from behind and when this is put with the low level angle it has, it makes it look very powerful. As it begins to tick it begins to build the tension, in addition the fragmented voices outside Morgan Freeman's window adds to the indication of isolation trying to be portayed.
In addition the Mese-en-scene has a very strong influences during the opening scene, for example the props lined up on the table (a watch, a knife etc), which begin to paint a picture of both, the character in which Morgan Freeman plays, hands on police officer, and also the brutality of crime in the city. Morgan Freeman plays is depicted very well: reading glasses and a book, to make him seem intellectual, the fact that he picks the fluff off of his jacket before putting it on. Further more all this actions he does with a slow pace, which makes you question why he is getting prepared so slowly and it always makes you assume he is a high up, well respected officer. In addition, the chess board in the kitchen signifies the "mind game" that the police will "play" with the criminal as the film goes on.
The title sequence is very fast paced, disorientating, mysterious and difficult to follow, the titles come up in 'etched', 'harsh' writing, like they have been scratched in, giving that gritty feel once again, there is use of special effects for example 'double vision' which gives the writing an almost flickering affect, it is quite blurry, and the colours are dull aside from the blood red that is used when the music becomes more heavy. Overall it looks extremely dirty, nothing is pristine, all off white paper and dirty finger nails, also every shot in this sequence is close ups, so its quite hard to work out what is going on. Which generally makes people uneasy as they dont know whaty is happening around them. When the titles come on they have quite a disorientating flickered transition, which is quite hard to read at first, yet it really catches your attention; titles are written on a black background, in white, which is hugely contrasting, like many parts of this movie, it is all based on contrasts and binary oppositions, the white and the black, 'good and the evil'. Adding to this it also links to the idea of the chess board.
Lastly, The sounds used in this title sequence, are all emotion filled and emotion evoking, for example, heavy breathing screaming, and heavily reverbed drums, giving it a very atmospheric, mysterious feel. Futher more the music is harsh, with high pitch noices which normally make people uneasy, for example scratching a white board.
This is a very mysterious and abstract way to start the movie and I think it succeds to make the audience feel uneasy, and is also very creepy in my opinion.
Seven opening credits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY
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