The main similarity between the opening sequences for Se7en and Panic Room is the music, although its not the same instruments used, the same eery feeling is found on both, the differences include the camera shots used, for example, in se7en they make the opening credits on a black background and incorporate it into the film to swap from the opening video to the credits. In contrast panic room has edited the opening credits onto the buildings so that they do not have to cut between shots of landscapes of new york and the opening credits. Both of these work due to the face that they have been cleverly edited which has created really eye-catching opening sequences.
Another comparison is the difference in shots used for example in panic room a majority of the shots used are long shot of new york city, whereas in se7en they use close-up shots of hands and the camera follows what they are doing.
Lastly the way in which the title of the sequence is shown is different on both of the films, in seven the title is very distorted and hard to read, it also only flashes up on the screen briefly then goes away. In contrast, panic rooms title is very grand and easy to read and stay on screen for quite a while.
The camera shots are very close up and are of strange, weird things. The shots make it seem more spooky and mysterious to us as we do not know what the point is. They are also sometimes at the view that we are looking at what he sees or at a birds eye view. The shots are also sometimes blurred which creates effect. The movement has a rhythm yet still sets the scene of it being creepy and strange. For example we will see a shot and then it will suddenly be a black screen with one set of credits which will come up and then expand and blur then randomly go to a next strange shot. Even though it happens throughout the opening, it still surprises us because we are so intrigued as to what all these shots are about. Also some shots near the end are the same and last longer than other shots. For example there is a shot with a pen being used to delete or highlight specific words and we then see it again being used to draw a line through a picture of a boy and then the next shot is of the whole face scribbled in the same black ink. This shot alone gives us a sense of worry and makes us feel tense as we have no clue as to what this means and the sound with this shot makes us automatically think that this is strange and creepy.
Sound
The sound which is used is non diegetic and creates the mood and gives us a sense of suspense. The sounds are different and have just been simply put together. We also can recognize all of the sounds yet they still manage to make us feel scared. The sounds include things such as someone typing, a bag being zipped up. There is also a slight beat and rhythm throughout and we get random repeats of the mysterious sounds we hear at the beginning. At first i notice that the sound was slow and quiet and then when it gets to about a minute on. The sound mates with the shots and is quick and loud and more random. At the very end there is a completely different piece of sound which is so strange and does not go with the scene that is represented throughout this opening. Because it does not match and is very short, it creates a sense of mystery and confusion.
Editing
In the opening sequence, there are many cuts throughout which have a mixture of being very short and blunt or long and strange. the cuts set the scene as being suspicious. without the cuts i do not think the opening would not be as interesting as it is now. The cuts get longer and longer throughout the opening to try and tell the story a little bit better and create more suspense. for example right at the beginning of the opening the cuts are short and blunt and have no meaning compared to the cuts at the end. the cuts at the end are longer and are shots of someone doing specific things such as writing, cutting pieces of paper etc.
Mise en Scene
The lighting in se7en is dark and it is hard for us to see everything that is being shown. This lighting gives us the effect of it being more scary and mysterious. We also only see one character and that character is also mysterious to us too. Also, because the setting is surrounded in violence it makes it more scary and eery for us because we cannot identify the character doing all of these weird, strange things.
Characters
There is only one character shown to us in the opening sequence. however, we never see this characters face or learn anything about him. we also automatically assume that the character is a male and is the villain in this film as all the violence and strange things that is being done, is what this character is doing. even though we cannot see this character we are anxious and scared of him as we cannot see his image, we only see his fingers and hands when he is doing these things.
Locations
In se7en we do not know the location in which se7en is set. The location is almost a mystery to us just as everything else is so far. Also, we are not really concerned about where all of this is being taken as there are other more suspicious things happening in the opening sequence. We can assume that the location is always in the same place throughout the opening because there is no dramatic change of scene which is obvious to us as the audience.
Narrative/Plot
From just watching the opening of se7en, there is no obvious plot or story to what we see at the beginning. We can clearly see that this is a scary and mysterious film where we as the audience must figure out the plot and that is what makes the opening so interesting. We automatically assume lots of different things such as the man in the opening who is doing all of these things is the murderer or the evil, sick person in the film. All different things run through the audience’s minds because there are so many different interpretations and views to be seen.
Themes
Although the theme of se7en is not very recognizable, from the images, objects and sounds we can assume that the themes associated with se7en are death, serial killers, mystery, crime, adventure.
Visual Style
The way we view the opening of se7en is completely different to the way we would view any other opening of a film. this is because most other films are not as strange and mysterious as se7en is. Usually, when we watch an opening to a film we get a basic idea as to what will happen so we can decide whether we will enjoy the film or not and whether to watch it all the way through. However, when we watch the opening to se7en, we do not understand what is happening and nothing makes sense to us, but we automatically are engaged to it and are intrigued to find out what is going on. In certain films you do need a certain amount of information to get you hooked. but for se7en, the total opposite is needed and works brilliantly.
Genre
The theme of se7en is a thriller because there is a mysterious and spooky atmosphere that has been set to thrill us. Also, there is no direct story or plot but just strange clips and sounds which is exactly what thrillers consist of to keep the audience interested.
The shots used in the opening sequence of panic room are extreme long shots, high angle shots, low angle shots. These shots used are of buildings in america. They also have texts of the producers and actors etc. This is a very strange opening as you do not know anything about panic room and the opening just makes you more and more suspicious and curious. Also, i notice that different shots will start off in different ways. For example, one shot will start at a low angle and then move its way up the building slowly. Yet on other shots the shots will be fast and sideways or go downwards and go slowly.
Sound
The sound used in panic room matches well with the theme created. It is at first very slow almost spooky in a way. Then when the shot where the text ‘panic room’ appears the sound gets slower and weirder to add effect of the text being shown. Then after the shot is over and the next shot appears the music is quicker and more upbeat. There is also a clock ticking being played in the background which gives us the effect and suspense. The music also has a beat and is fast, it sometimes goes back to the first piece of sound we hear but still with the clock ticking in the background. All the sounds we hear are recognizable yet they give the opening more of a curious, strange opening where we have no idea as to what panic room is all about.
Editing
The cuts used in the opening sequence are all short and blunt. This creates suspense and without this i do not think the opening would be as good as it is now. The only cut which is the longest is the one where the text ‘panic room’ is being shown.
Mise en Scene
in Panic Room, the mise en scene is so mysterious and clueless to what Panic Room is all about. Panic room shows us a lot of shots of buildings from plenty of shots such as birds eye view shot, establishing shot etc.
Characters
There are no characters presented to us in the opening of Panic Room. However, there are names that appear at each shot and are the actresses, actors, directors, producers etc.
Locations
The location is in america. we can see this because all the shots that are used are of buildings and are mostly birds eye view shots. We do not know the specific location of where panic room is set but it looks a bit like new york. The location doesn't really help us to get any ideas about panic room because there is nothing unusual or anything that stands out. However,when you watch the location and the music together they make the location seem very curious as you do not know what it means.
Narrative/Plot
From watching the opening of panic room, there is no obvious plot or story. There is hardly any information to give us any idea of what is going on in panic room. The only information we get from panic room is who is in the film and who produces it etc as the names are in the shots with the buildings.
Themes
There is not much information to help us to figure out what the theme of panic room. However, panic room can be linked with the opening of psycho which has a similar opening to panic room, hitchcock uses panning shots of buildings in the opening of his film psycho. This could be linked with panic room and have similar themes.
Visual Style
Panic room has a visual style that we do not usually see in other openings. Panic Room is very bare yet makes us really interested and intrigued to watch it. It contains a lot of information but that information is only names of who is in Panic Room, who has directed it etc. Of course that doesn’t really mean much to audiences. I think the main factors that attract us to Panic Room is the music, the shots and the complete contrast of Panic Room to any other openings of films. Usually you get a little look at the characters or a clip of a scene that shows how great panic room. However, all you get is the total opposite. You see a variety of shots of buildings in America.
Genre
The theme of Panic Room is a thriller. Even though there are no obvious hints or signs to show that Panic Room is a thriller, we know that it is a thriller because of the director and the synapses that Panic Room has. The kind of techniques that have been used in Panic Room clearly show us that this is a thriller as they make us really interested in what is going on and what is going to happen.
