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Jemma Cotterell
Media Studies
G321 Foundation Portfolio
Se7en
plot summary: 2 dectectives investigate a murderer who kills as punishment for the seven deadly sins ( gluttony, greed, envy, wrath, sloth, lust, pride). However, they too become part of his plan.
Sunday 9th November 2014
Thriller Openings
Mise en Scene
items used
picture film
developing film
hooks
needle and thread
book being sewn
newspaper
folders
razor blade
pictures
books
writing & pen
book with blanked words
effects
confusion
veiwer wonders about what all the items have to do with each other
tension
veiwer feels uncomfortable as they can't predict what will happen next
Editing
superimpostion
fast pace
discontinuous
titles over titles
two layers of text is distracting and confusing for the veiwer who is trying to read it
shot over shot
unnerves the veiwer as they cant pin-point what the character is doing, as in each shot they are doing something different. The veiwer doesnt know what will happen next as a result.
titles over the shot
the veiwer doesnt know where to concentrate, as everything is changing quickly. This disorientates the audience.
the veiwer can't follow the action, so is disconserting for them.
This means the audience dont really have time to register what is going on. The quick succession of shots is very intense, so draws the audience into the action immediatly
camera work
close-ups/
extreme close up
superimposition
always showing the hands
The character remains anonymous which adds to the mystery
he is always doing something for example like sewing or cutting.The restlessness is never boring, and makes the drama even more captivating.
As you don't see the full picture, it is hard to take in what is happening, making the audience insecure about what they are seeing.
This adds to the intensity of the action, as it is relentless.This also pulls the veiwers attention to different places, which intrigues the audience.
sound
The sounds are mainly mechanical or electronic noises. They sound disconnected, which matches the images, and adds to th unnerving feeling.
The main beat is low down and has bass undertones. this means its very quiet and doesnt distract from the electrical noises that the audience register the most.
The halfway through the video, there is a crescendo and a more regular beat joins, the sounds come together and overlap and create a more unified beat. this creates a robotic feel for the audience, and feels unnatural.
titles
Two layers of text is distracting and confusing for the veiwer who is trying to read it. It is also moving, so the audiene sruggle to focus on it.
The titles are often on a black screen. this draws your attention to them, and makes you realise that they are hard to read. also they appear in different areas of the screen, so the audiences atention is constasntly being moved.
the titles are shown amongst other shots. this adds to the disconnected feel, and so continues the disconserting feel
the handwritten style is harder to read than an average font. this means the audience really have to engage to read it.
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