Opening to a thriller: Seven analysis

The film, Seven, is a well known thriller starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. I have written an analysis on the camera angles used in the film and how they create effect and meaning.

The film starts with a Flash Cut watching a black and white picture with the title "Se7en" printed in white appearing, the white contrasting the dark background and creating a sense of suspense. Throughout the whole opening sequence there is no establishing shot, which is usually used at the beginning of a scene to indicate the location or setting. This already adds to the thriller aspect, as the audience has not been given any clues as to where the action is taking place. Another shot used is an over-the-shoulder shot, otherwise known as a point of view shot, which allows the audience to look what is happening from the protagonists point of view, as he is moving various items. The most important camera range that is taking place during the opening sequence is a arguably the older-the-shoulder close up, which gives us a detailed insight into what is being prepared.