Se7en Codes and Conventions

Plot:

Two homicide detectives are on the hunt for a serial killer claiming that his murders are justified by purging the world of people who bare the seven deadly sins of man including lust, gluttony, pride, wrath, greed, envy and sloth.

Through out the thriller film Seven many of the codes and conventions are put into play for the further effect of the film and these are some of them.

The first thing I must draw out is the opening, with it’s soundtrack in the background sounding completely computerised and an almost straining note for an instrument. It also makes use of quick editing and cuts closing in on writing timed perfectly with the soundtrack. This almost gives the audience a view on how the story may be played out. This makes the audience feel unsettled in think if this is the opening then what may come next? 

As you can see in this image the contrast of dull colours as well as the raining adds to the serious tone of what has happened in the story so far opening the audience up what could happen and almost mirroring the disasters. The setting is also extremely unwelcoming which could suggest that the area, as well as society, is in a rough state and giving the audience the impression that what ever has happened here, we will find out soon enough. 

In this scene you can see that the camera angle is quite low as if the detectives are towering over it which could indicate the states where the audience lays, completely in the dark as to what is going on .It could also show that they are both on the same level with each other and not higher than the other.

In this shot you can see that the only source of light is coming from the torch which gives the impression that the audience cannot see what is to come as well as leaving the protagonist vulnerable. Also the camera yet again seems to be at a lower state as the protagonist towers over them which could be showing a power struggle as if we should really trust what the protagonist is up to. 

In this shot the camera is moving toward the dead body as well as in total darkness. This makes the audience anticipates what the body may look like, how the murder was done and what damage it sustained. The complete darkness might also show that death has already taken over and it’s hopeless to stay there.