1. Production company
The title sequence of the 1995 American thriller 'Se7en' begins with the name of it's production company, 'New Line Cinema'. It is typical for the production company to be the first convention of an opening title sequence, but this convention is also challenged by director David Fincher, as it is presented with cinematography rather than the traditional presentation using the company's logo.
(Production company)
(Conventional production company logo)
Using cinematography rather than the production company logo is unconventional as it brings less recognition and attention to them, but this is amended by the long shot of the production company name.
2. Producer and Director
The next conventions are the names of the producer and director of 'Se7en'. These are typical conventions and order of conventions for opening title sequences, as they are important roles which is why they are at the beginning of the opening title sequence.
Unconventionally however, the names of the director and producer are repeated at the end of the opening title sequence to give them more credit and recognition.
3. Main Cast Member Names and Film Title
This typical convention begins without the title 'Cast members' as the first cast member is a well known actor who does not need to be explained for the audience to understand his role.
The two main cast members, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are separated from the other cast members by the interruption of the long shot of the film title after their names have been presented and before the other cast names. This foreshadows the first scene after the opening sequence where "it first introduces us to retiring Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and rookie replacement Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) as they also meet for the first time".
The cast names continue after the film title, with the less important cast members of the film sharing one frame; a typical convention of opening title sequences, as the audience discover who the most important main actors are without the opening sequence being too long and therefore uninteresting.
The film title is later repeated in a short shot which is unconventional, but makes it more memorable to the audience.
4. Casting Directors
Presenting the casting directors challenges traditional conventions of opening title sequences, as this role is usually credited in the end credits of the film. This makes the cast of 'Se7en' seem more complexly found and prestigious.
5. Director of Music and Photography and Costumes and Production Designer
Although the director of music and production designer is sometimes a convention of an opening sequence, credit to the costume designer and director of photography challenge traditional opening sequence conventions, as this convention is usually presented in the end credits. These conventions were chosen, as the people behind these roles are well known and award winning in their fields, making them credit worthy. "Memorable score and rich cinematography" The music and cinematography are important components of 'Se7en', which is presented by the opening sequence, and therefore the 8 award nominated photographer, Darius Khondji, and 3 Academy Award winning and composer of 80 film scores including 'Lord Of The Rings', Howard Shore, are notable in the title sequence.
The costume designer, Micheal Kaplan, won a BAFTA for best costume design, and production designer, Arthur Max, won 4 awards for his work in production designing. This also makes their roles notable in the opening title sequence, and as these well known names will be recognisable to some people, it will raise their expectations of 'Se7en' due to other great films these people have contributed to.
6. Editor
Presenting the editor is a traditional convention of an opening sequence, as it is an important role for all films, especially for films such as 'Se7en' with it's rich cinematography. However the order of conventions is a challenge, as for such an important role, it is quite late in the title sequence.
7. Executive, Co-Executive and Co-Producers
This convention is typical of opening title sequences, and the names are shared between 1 frame as they are of equal importance.
8. Writer
The writer is a key and traditional convention, usually at the end of the openings sequence so that it is memorable to the audience, allowing them to recognise this name from other works.
9. Sound
The sound used for this title sequence is the eerie remix of Nine Inch Nails' 'Closer', which sets an uncomfortable and creepy atmosphere for the film with it's crashing, buzzing and droning noises to spook the audience; making 'Se7en' suitable for it's thriller genre.
"The opening sequence is considered one of the most innovative of it's era"
I think that this statement is true, as the opening sequence of 'Se7en' differs to all opening sequences before it. A difference which distinguishes it from other title sequences is it's non-narrative format. The opening sequence portrays the film's killer, John Doe, as he assembles a diary documenting the murders he will be executing in the film. As the killer does not appear until 40 minutes into the film, the titles help to bridge that gap. The face of the killer is also not revealed to maintain suspense. The style of Se7en's opening sequence is new and innovative, "Cooper incorporated the computer to reconcile traditional and modern techniques. In doing so, he revitalized film industry titles and redefined their visual style." This inventive, new style inspired many other opening sequences over the years, having been co-opted almost wholesale by the horror genre as a house style. It has continued to impact the title industry two decades on; not only was 'Se7en' one of the most innovative of it's era, but has maintained it's legacy for following eras.
No comments:
Post a Comment