'Blue velvet' is a David Lynch film based in suburban America in the 1950's. The music sets the tone to be mysterious and the credits scene is dark and gloomy. After the opening titles a tilt shot is shown straight away of the typical white, picket fence with bright blue skies and a bed of red roses waving in front of it. The background music of 'blue velvet' is playing so the idealistic scene is set. This is then supported by the safety of the lollipop lady crossing the children over the road and the fire truck with the fireman waving to the community, proposing that everything is perfect and nothing bad could happen. The firetruck is also presented as driving along in slow motion as this emphasizes the perfect place to live. This then changes very quickly when the old man in his garden has a heart attack and dies. The irony used of the ideal place to live and the actual danger of the fireman standing on the side of his truck reflects that something bad was going to happen. The hose gets caught and then it tangles, slowly leading up to the bad event.
There are a lot of still images used which could be paintings, e.g the big american country house and the establishing shot over looking the city and a lake.There are close ups of the grass surrounding the house and then the camera goes further down and you see the bad side reflected on the city as there are beetles and mud. Background noise is also used to set the feeling of the city, the chainsaw on the radio showing the traditional Lumberton town as that is where they cut down trees.
The overall feeling is very mysterious and it imposes that things are not always as good as they seem. Overall, mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing match the conventions of this film genre allowing audiences to fully understand the motives of the film.
Monday, 15 December 2014
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Role Allocation
The Film
Director
The general
role of a film director is to direct the making of the film. They have the task
of creating an overall vision of what the film will be and what it will look
like. They are tasked with selecting the right task and location amongst other
things. They also manage the technical aspects of filming, including the
camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. They may also
work along with the editor during the final editing process in creating the
final product he wants. They may also take on some roles of the producer.
In our film
this will be Harriet Watson
The Film
Producer
Film
producers prepare and then supervise the making of a film. They have complete
control of the overall film production. They are therefore ultimately
accountable for the success of the finished film. They will be heavily involved
in all 4 main phases of production, the Development, Pre-production, production
and post-production and marketing.
In our film
this will be Rebecca Campbell
The Film
Editor
They are
very important in the overall editing and final production of the film. They
work closely with the director during the production phase. The film editor
works with the raw footage, selecting shots and combining them into sequences
to create a finished motion picture.
In our film Rebecca Campbell and Harriet Watson will all be fulfilling
this role.
Cameraperson
This is the
role that involves the taking of shots during the filming process. They are
responsible for physically operating the camera and maintaining composition and
camera angles in a given scene or shot. They will also be responsible for
collaborating with the director in making technical and creative decisions.
In our film
this will be Rebecca Campbell
Art and
Music
There are
various roles within art and music during the production of a film. The main
roles within the art area are Art director and illustrator. The Art Director
works closely with the Construction Coordinator to oversee the aesthetic and
textural details of sets as they are realized. The illustrator is responsible
for the drawing of designs to communicate ideas about scenes. In the sound
area, there are also quite a few important roles. The sound designer is
responsible for the post-production sound of a film, for example.
In our film
the Art director and Illustrator will be Rebecca
Campbell and Harriet Watson
The music will be controlled by Harriet Watson
Location Recce's
Monday, 1 December 2014
Profile of audience
Profile of audience 01.12.14
Collective identity
- Metrosexual – males that take care of themselves, well
groomed, e.g David Beckham
- Hipster – too cool, smoking, immature, language, rude,
e.g Nathan Barley
- Narcissism – conceited, don’t have any feelings
- Trustafairiuns - wealthy parents, act like not wealthy,
annoying
- Geo-demographic profiling –
Corporate chieftains= Suits, dresses and expensive items, big watches, living
in centre of London, expensive houses,
high rise buildings, live alone, whisky/wine, theatre, opera, go out to the
races, meals out, charity balls, etc. Old music, classic films.
Bank of mum and dad= Joe and Emma, living off parents wage, no job, shop in primark, takeaways
Urban intelligence= Ben and Chloe, indie rock, shop at Hollister, Waitrose, Marks and Spencers
Central pulse= Flats in city, entertainment events, jobs in city, meals out
Village retirement= Cottages, Marks and Spencers, read books,
Golden empty nesters= Children have just left home, money to spend on self, holidays
Scattered homestead= Hugh and Glenda, shop at- farmshops, M&S, butchers, wear posh clothes- jeans, boots, tweed jackets, cap, drive large cars, live in- countryside, farms, cottages
Friday, 28 November 2014
Production journey
Tuesday
9th December 2014
In this lesson I decided to put the photos I taken of the locations in which I filmed my short film. I written about why I chosen these particular locations and what effect it created on my audience and movie itself. Location is very important feature within film as it reveals information not just about the setting but also the characters. Why are the characters situated at a bar? Or at an office? It is giving a wider insight to who the person is, they're at a bar because maybe drinking could be a hobby for them, maybe this is where the person goes to unwind and relax. The office shows where the character work, in this particular setting I wanted to portray a detective atmosphere with paper work shattered on the desk and a security helping out the detective.
Tuesday 6th January 2015
In the lesson today I have focused on completing my blog. One blog that I finished was the connotations and representation of a detective. I did this to show the development of my character and my understanding of the detective and how I've reinforced those values into my production. I have also added transition effects onto my video this makes the production look less disconnected and detached.
Friday 9th January 2015
We were planning on which scene should be added to the production. Also we edited the production by adding titles into the clip. I also tested whether or not the production looked good in black and white or no effect added.
Monday 12th January 2015
In today's lesson I will storyboard extra scenes for the next bit of the film so when filming the next scene there is structure and continuity, also I will make sure that the location is accessible. Also in this listen we will being writing our evaluation.
Tuesday 20th January 2015
Finishing the evaluation and any other uncompleted work.
In this lesson I decided to put the photos I taken of the locations in which I filmed my short film. I written about why I chosen these particular locations and what effect it created on my audience and movie itself. Location is very important feature within film as it reveals information not just about the setting but also the characters. Why are the characters situated at a bar? Or at an office? It is giving a wider insight to who the person is, they're at a bar because maybe drinking could be a hobby for them, maybe this is where the person goes to unwind and relax. The office shows where the character work, in this particular setting I wanted to portray a detective atmosphere with paper work shattered on the desk and a security helping out the detective.
Tuesday 6th January 2015
In the lesson today I have focused on completing my blog. One blog that I finished was the connotations and representation of a detective. I did this to show the development of my character and my understanding of the detective and how I've reinforced those values into my production. I have also added transition effects onto my video this makes the production look less disconnected and detached.
Friday 9th January 2015
We were planning on which scene should be added to the production. Also we edited the production by adding titles into the clip. I also tested whether or not the production looked good in black and white or no effect added.
Monday 12th January 2015
In today's lesson I will storyboard extra scenes for the next bit of the film so when filming the next scene there is structure and continuity, also I will make sure that the location is accessible. Also in this listen we will being writing our evaluation.
Tuesday 20th January 2015
Finishing the evaluation and any other uncompleted work.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Identifying an audience
Uses and
gratification theory = people use media texts to gratify certain needs.
· Why would you watch a horror? - to see how scary it is? To frighten
your friends. Exploring to see how people deal with fear.
‘Fear of the
other’ – fear other things that aren't you. Other genders, ethnicity's, race's.
Audiences
reception
Audiences
read things differently.
Stuart Halls eboding theory
·
Preferred reading is the reading the director
wants you to take
·
The opposite reading is the opposite
·
Negotiated reading is understanding the meaning
but then arguing your own interpretation
·
Aberrant reading is totally wrong
HG Wells
War of the worlds
-
Panic caused by mass media
-
Media being radio- people thought we was being
invaded by aliens
Panorama BBC-Spaghetti
growing on trees
-
Construct
-
Would work better in 1957 because people had
nothing else to go on and people were not used to being tricked by telly.
-
People believed what they saw in the media.
Hyperdermic
needle theory
-
People believe everything they hear in the media
-
Audiences are active, they interact with media
texts and not just listen to them
Viral
advertising
-
Share it
-
Have you seen this?
-
Telly adverts,
T-Mobile advert
Preferred advert
– to suit any ages, ethnicity, any types of people, famous- ironic public
people
Opposite
reading – the real wedding, confusion, wouldn't understand it
Aberrant
reading – wouldn't know who royal family or T-mobile are, don’t have cultural
knowledge
Negotiated
reading – could be offensive to over 60’s
In relation to my film the audiences we talked about are specific to my film. However my opening sequence will be different to a normal film opening because it is just the opening sequence that will be shown, therefore more of the story needs to be shown.
Friday, 14 November 2014
Storyboard
Storyboard
1. The first shot is an establishing shot. It is traditionally used as the first shot in most film, This is the reason why we chose to put it at the beginning of our film. It also sets a clear image of where the film is set. The setting allows people to understand the type of film they are going to watch.
2. The second shot is cut to the detective sitting at the bar. A voice over is played in this scene to build up the story line of the detective's past and it tells you what is going on. His emotions and feelings are portrayed through this scene aswell which tells you what type of character he is. He swigs his drink in this scene and appears to be reminiscing on his life, until he spots the femme fatale walk in the room.
3. In the third shot the femme fatale approaches the detective and they lock eyes. There is a close up shot of this to show the feelings on their faces. The femme fatale knows who the detective is but he doesnt know her, so she seems distressed as that is part of her act in getting help from him.
4/5. These shots show where dialogue will take place in the opening sequence. Shot reverse shots are typically used for a conversation so you can see the persons face when they are talking to see the expressions and feelings they are showing.
6. The sixth shot is in a new setting of an office. This office belongs to the detective. It starts with a close up to his old fashioned telephone and then pans out to show the rest of the office. Props will be set up in this shot to reveal elements of the character. For example:- an ash tray will be placed next to the camera, influencing the stereotype that detectives have of smoking.
7. In the seventh shot the whole of the desk and detective is captured in the frame, showing his position and the setting he is typically in at work. He is plumped in his chair looking miserable. This portrays how he is tired and has had a long day.
8. In the eighth shot the receptionist who is the detectives princess walks in to the room. This captured in a long shot.
9. In the ninth shot there is a close-up of the detective as he is looking at the receptionist coming in to the room. He addresses her in a way that would be called inappropriate nowadays as he calls her 'sweetheart'. This also relates to the social hierarchy in the sense that he can talk to women how ever he wants to.
10. In the tenth shot there is a close-up of the receptionist showing her facial expression as in the situation that is about to occur it is most appropriate to show her feelings. She is worried about something and the close up emphaisizes this.
11. In the eleventh shot there is a close-up of the newspaper that the receptionist put down, The headline stands out as this is a significant part to our opening sequence as it is the main story line. The headling is the enigma of the story as it hooks the audience to want to watch more.
12. The twelfth shot is simple but effective in the way that yu just see the detectives face after looking at the newspaper as this news affects him. After a fade to black is placed and the title sequence appears.
1. The first shot is an establishing shot. It is traditionally used as the first shot in most film, This is the reason why we chose to put it at the beginning of our film. It also sets a clear image of where the film is set. The setting allows people to understand the type of film they are going to watch.
2. The second shot is cut to the detective sitting at the bar. A voice over is played in this scene to build up the story line of the detective's past and it tells you what is going on. His emotions and feelings are portrayed through this scene aswell which tells you what type of character he is. He swigs his drink in this scene and appears to be reminiscing on his life, until he spots the femme fatale walk in the room.
3. In the third shot the femme fatale approaches the detective and they lock eyes. There is a close up shot of this to show the feelings on their faces. The femme fatale knows who the detective is but he doesnt know her, so she seems distressed as that is part of her act in getting help from him.
4/5. These shots show where dialogue will take place in the opening sequence. Shot reverse shots are typically used for a conversation so you can see the persons face when they are talking to see the expressions and feelings they are showing.
6. The sixth shot is in a new setting of an office. This office belongs to the detective. It starts with a close up to his old fashioned telephone and then pans out to show the rest of the office. Props will be set up in this shot to reveal elements of the character. For example:- an ash tray will be placed next to the camera, influencing the stereotype that detectives have of smoking.
7. In the seventh shot the whole of the desk and detective is captured in the frame, showing his position and the setting he is typically in at work. He is plumped in his chair looking miserable. This portrays how he is tired and has had a long day.
8. In the eighth shot the receptionist who is the detectives princess walks in to the room. This captured in a long shot.
9. In the ninth shot there is a close-up of the detective as he is looking at the receptionist coming in to the room. He addresses her in a way that would be called inappropriate nowadays as he calls her 'sweetheart'. This also relates to the social hierarchy in the sense that he can talk to women how ever he wants to.
10. In the tenth shot there is a close-up of the receptionist showing her facial expression as in the situation that is about to occur it is most appropriate to show her feelings. She is worried about something and the close up emphaisizes this.
11. In the eleventh shot there is a close-up of the newspaper that the receptionist put down, The headline stands out as this is a significant part to our opening sequence as it is the main story line. The headling is the enigma of the story as it hooks the audience to want to watch more.
12. The twelfth shot is simple but effective in the way that yu just see the detectives face after looking at the newspaper as this news affects him. After a fade to black is placed and the title sequence appears.
Representation of a detective
Representation of a detective 14.11.14
A detective is often male, though not always, and they look smart and well dressed which emphasizes their superiority. They typically have a glass of alcohol such as whisky in their hand and a cigarette or pipe in the other. They are very smart in the sense that they are one step ahead of everyone else, but they can also be very sly and mysterious as they keep them self to them self. The way they fall for women/men shows how vulnerable they are and they have a very flirty personality which often gets them in to trouble in the first place. Though saying that, they are respectful and pleasant when treated correctly. Sometimes they do patronize women to get what they want and it is the way men typically acted in those days, but that has changed now.
A detective is often male, though not always, and they look smart and well dressed which emphasizes their superiority. They typically have a glass of alcohol such as whisky in their hand and a cigarette or pipe in the other. They are very smart in the sense that they are one step ahead of everyone else, but they can also be very sly and mysterious as they keep them self to them self. The way they fall for women/men shows how vulnerable they are and they have a very flirty personality which often gets them in to trouble in the first place. Though saying that, they are respectful and pleasant when treated correctly. Sometimes they do patronize women to get what they want and it is the way men typically acted in those days, but that has changed now.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Representation of a femme fatale
Representation 11/11/14
The femme fatale is an interesting character to analyse because of the role she plays in film noir. A femme fatale has positive characteristics when she demonstrates she is a strong and independent woman in her way of how she pulls in the male counterpart which is very cleverly done. They are very intelligent which is shown when she plans this performance to get what she wants and the help she needs with out being found out for what she really is. She always makes herself very desirable so that all the males want to help her in the end and show off to her.
Femme fatales also have negative characteristics as they use their beauty and intelligence to be sly and they use the male to get money and attention. The way they present themselves when accompanied by the male is very acted and fake. She will throw herself on him and she always looks fashionable, sexy and very beautiful. This seduces and draws in the male to feel sorry for her and so he falls for her stupidly. She always gets her own way which shows how manipulative and persuasive towards the male she can be. She is always in control and she wraps the male round her little finger so he is doing every thing she wants.
A typical femme fatale could look like this:- a beautiful woman, smoking, sexy, very little clothing, fur item.
The femme fatale is an interesting character to analyse because of the role she plays in film noir. A femme fatale has positive characteristics when she demonstrates she is a strong and independent woman in her way of how she pulls in the male counterpart which is very cleverly done. They are very intelligent which is shown when she plans this performance to get what she wants and the help she needs with out being found out for what she really is. She always makes herself very desirable so that all the males want to help her in the end and show off to her.
Femme fatales also have negative characteristics as they use their beauty and intelligence to be sly and they use the male to get money and attention. The way they present themselves when accompanied by the male is very acted and fake. She will throw herself on him and she always looks fashionable, sexy and very beautiful. This seduces and draws in the male to feel sorry for her and so he falls for her stupidly. She always gets her own way which shows how manipulative and persuasive towards the male she can be. She is always in control and she wraps the male round her little finger so he is doing every thing she wants.
A typical femme fatale could look like this:- a beautiful woman, smoking, sexy, very little clothing, fur item.
Friday, 7 November 2014
The Script
The Script
FILM
NOIR
By
Harriet Watson and Rebecca Campbell
FADE IN
ESTABLISHING
SHOT
INT.
BAR – NIGHT
DENNIS
DALE orders a drink from the bar as he reminisces on his previous
state.
VOICE
OVER: Forty three years and I've seen it
all, murder, prostitution, gunshot to the head. They call me Dale, Detective
Dennis Dale… I thought today was going to be a good day, until I met her…
DENNIS
DALE spots the femme fatale as she enters the bar, mesmerised by her
beauty she captures him looking at her. She prances through the bar taking the
attention of everyone around, until she comes face to face with the Detective.
FLORENCE: Oh, Detective my sister has been taken I need your help.
DENNIS
DALE: Calm down precious, just tell me
slowly
FLORENCE: Okay, (quick breathing) I was at home reading my book, it was late, and
I heard a bang. My sister had fled; I had no idea where she was going. She
hasn't yet returned… It’s been a whole day I’m so worried Detective what if she
has been killed? Kidnapped? Anything…
DENNIS
DALE: We will find her sweetheart, are
you sure there isn't anything else? Anywhere she would have gone?
FLORENCE: Well, I don’t think so. Please Detective I don’t know what to do.
_____________________________________________________________________
FADE
OUT
FADE IN
INT. DETECTIVES OFFICE
A close
up of the Detective’s belongings are shown. He is sitting in his office
thinking about his case. Dennis Dale is sitting at the desk as KATHERINE (the secretary) walks in.
KATHERINE: Sorry to bother you Detective but I have something for you
DENNIS
DALE: What is it little one?
KATHERINE: I have the newspaper here, an article you should see
KATHERINE places
the newspaper on the table it reads ‘YOUNG WOMAN PRONOUNCED DEAD
AFTER GUN SHOT TO THE HEAD”
SCENE
FADES OUT WITH A CLOSE UP OF DETECTIVE LOOKING SHOCKED
END OF
OPENING SEQUENCE
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
November feedback
You need to post regularly on the web-log.
You are working at level 2 for research and
planning and need to add posts for the following;
Script
Storyboard
Analysis of opening sequences x4
Targets for November
Film
Risk assessment
Edit
Consider sound and titles to add meaning
and atmosphere
Manage your time effectively
Monday, 13 October 2014
Feedback on progress
A promising stat to your web-log and some imaginative ideas in your practical work.
You discuss the codes and conventions of the film noir in some detail and de-construct the opening sequence of 'Seven'.
Remember to identify what you can see, or denote.
Explain how the director has created meaning (Connotations)
Widen your analysis to fully explain your points and demonstrate a full understanding.
You discuss the codes and conventions of the film noir in some detail and de-construct the opening sequence of 'Seven'.
Remember to identify what you can see, or denote.
Explain how the director has created meaning (Connotations)
Widen your analysis to fully explain your points and demonstrate a full understanding.
Monday, 6 October 2014
Film noir
The codes and conventions of film noir
Characters
Vladimir Propp identified 7 types of characters. These are a villan, a doner, a helper, a princess, a false hero, a dispatcher and a hero. There are two types of women in a film noir and these are a princess who is trust worthy and loving, or a femme fatale who is the bad girl, most often guilty and are dangerous. The prettier they are, the badder they are. They are often made out to be superior over the male also, and this is emphasized by using a high angle shot of the woman at the top of the stairs and a shot-reverse-shot to show the man at the bottom, as if she is the ruler of the house.
Use of the camera
The filming is done in dark alleyways, and single rooms often with just a single light source, and low key lighting is used, with a black and white affect. There are usually blinds in the offices and a detective typically sits in a chair with a glass of whisky or some similar alcohol and holding a cigarette. The single light source creates shadows everywhere and this is key in a film noir. There is often an enigma or a hook which is the base to the whole of the story, it is what is to be found or discovered and this is done throughout the whole film. Like a mystery that needs to be solved.
Sound
Voice-overs are used in film noir's because it is a quick way of giving lots of information and it also helps you emphasize with the main character as you are in their shoes, so they are the main character and you are seeing it from their perspective. They have a musical sound track made by an orchestra to match the type of situation, so if it is tense they will use a strings composition.
Sound
Voice-overs are used in film noir's because it is a quick way of giving lots of information and it also helps you emphasize with the main character as you are in their shoes, so they are the main character and you are seeing it from their perspective. They have a musical sound track made by an orchestra to match the type of situation, so if it is tense they will use a strings composition.
Clothing
The iconography of the detective is important as this is a main clue for the films. They have the long coat, a hat and wear a shirt and trousers most of the time. The iconography of the secretary who works for the detective is also important,they will be in a little dress and dressed up beautifully with perfect makeup and a sweet little voice. The femme fatales are usually very sexy and are deceiving under there coats and scarfs. They are flirty and try to act innocent to persuade the detective in to believing them. They are always very pretty and heavily made-up so people cannot resist them.
Language
The representation of men and women in the 1940's was very different to how it is now. Women were seen as a housewife and if they strayed from that tradition then they were seen as dangerous.
Language
The representation of men and women in the 1940's was very different to how it is now. Women were seen as a housewife and if they strayed from that tradition then they were seen as dangerous.
Analysis of 'Maltese falcon'
The 'Maltese falcon' is set in San Francisco, America. This is pointed out straight away due to the big bridge which is a key icon to San Francisco. We see the establishing shot straight away and then also a subjective point of view shot which shows the detective is in his office. Detective Spade is on his chair at his desk and addresses his secretary in a way that would not be used nowadays, calling her 'sweetheart', 'precious' and 'darling'. This shows how the representation of men and women have changed since 1940. She is very glamorous which is typical of a film noir and she does everything he tells her. When the femme fatale comes in draped in a fox scarf and dressed up beautifully it is obvious that she is as guilty as sin as she portrays her self so sweetly and innocent that it is to good to be true. She drops the anigma straight away telling the detective that her sister has gone missing, when it is obvious that she knows where she is really. There is a shot reverse shot between the femme fatale and the detective showing close ups on their faces. She is English and speaks in a very posh accent, attempting to get sympathy. She is setting up the puzzle for the detectives to solve and she manipulates the men, twisting them around her little finger. Archer and Spade think they are in control of what is going on when really it is as if she is teaching them a lesson. There is also a softer focus used on the femme fatale to show her as a more perfect character.
A lot of different camera shots are used including an over shoulder shot, a mid shot, high angle and low angle shots and a shot reverse shot. There is very low key lighting again and often just a lamp or a single light source lighting the whole scene. This creates a mysterious feel and shadows are developed everywhere. Specific music is used leading up to the death of Archer and the lighting becomes darker before he is shot. Still images are also used and props specific to film noirs, for example a newspaper, guns, etc.
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
'Seven' contextual analysis
I analysed the opening sequence of 'Seven', a detective thriller. In this sequence Detective Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman, begins in his kitchen alone. Somerset is a methodical and independent man who only converses when necessary because he doesn't seem to need other people to achieve what he needs to do. This is because he lives alone and is isolated, he keeps himself to himself and doesn't enjoy to much company from others, especially detective Mills. Somerset is older and wiser than Mills and likes little noise, for example when he is in bed he taps his metronome to block out the back city noise of dogs barking, shouting voices and a car alarm so he can get to sleep.
The film 'Seven' uses very dark lighting and has a metallic effect, this creates a claustrophobic and psychological atmosphere. So when a bright colour is shown it makes it more dramatic, showing viewers that that part of the scene is more significant. It always seems to be raining and this is a sign of danger and that something important is going to happen. A miserable feeling is present also, as the weather is bad, which is why the city is referred to as the 'city soaked in sin'. The background noise throughout the opening sequence also has a claustrophobic effect as it makes it feel like lots is going on all the time. The New York detective iconography is apparent in the sequence as well. This is shown by them wearing the badge, the smart dress code, a long cloak, a gun, and often they are carrying a cup of coffee and are eating donuts traditionally.
The credits show black and white images of the 7 sins, this includes clues about the film. There were flashes of red throughout the credits and this showed that danger was going to take place and referred to blood. The music that runs in the credits is played by 'nine inch nails' and it puts you on edge as there are creeks and suspicious noises throughout. This sets the mood of the film and you can notify its genre, a detective thriller.
There are lots of different camera shots used throughout the beginning of the film. These include the establishing shot which sets the scene of Detective Somerset at his home, a two-shot is used quite often when the two detectives are talking to capture what they are both saying, a low-angle shot is used when they are investigating round the room where the man was murdered and looking through the objects to try and find clues.
The costumes are basic but specific to the character, like the detectives have the correct uniform for their job. Mills' clothing appears unfinished,his buttons aren't all done up and he looks messy, whereas Somerset looks smart and tidy. Their are props where necessary and specific props to the scene are used. like clues when they walk in to a dark room full of dusted-over props then it appears creepy and prepares you for danger.
The film 'Seven' uses very dark lighting and has a metallic effect, this creates a claustrophobic and psychological atmosphere. So when a bright colour is shown it makes it more dramatic, showing viewers that that part of the scene is more significant. It always seems to be raining and this is a sign of danger and that something important is going to happen. A miserable feeling is present also, as the weather is bad, which is why the city is referred to as the 'city soaked in sin'. The background noise throughout the opening sequence also has a claustrophobic effect as it makes it feel like lots is going on all the time. The New York detective iconography is apparent in the sequence as well. This is shown by them wearing the badge, the smart dress code, a long cloak, a gun, and often they are carrying a cup of coffee and are eating donuts traditionally.
The credits show black and white images of the 7 sins, this includes clues about the film. There were flashes of red throughout the credits and this showed that danger was going to take place and referred to blood. The music that runs in the credits is played by 'nine inch nails' and it puts you on edge as there are creeks and suspicious noises throughout. This sets the mood of the film and you can notify its genre, a detective thriller.
There are lots of different camera shots used throughout the beginning of the film. These include the establishing shot which sets the scene of Detective Somerset at his home, a two-shot is used quite often when the two detectives are talking to capture what they are both saying, a low-angle shot is used when they are investigating round the room where the man was murdered and looking through the objects to try and find clues.
The costumes are basic but specific to the character, like the detectives have the correct uniform for their job. Mills' clothing appears unfinished,his buttons aren't all done up and he looks messy, whereas Somerset looks smart and tidy. Their are props where necessary and specific props to the scene are used. like clues when they walk in to a dark room full of dusted-over props then it appears creepy and prepares you for danger.
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