Research Into A Thriller Opening Sequence

 Looking into the opening thriller sequence of 'Seven'

Seven is a 1995 'American neo-noir psychological crime Thriller' which was directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker.  Seven was made by the production company  Arnold Kopelson Productions and distributed by New line Cinema. The film star'd Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. 

Throughout the first few minutes of this Sequence it is made clear that the Genre is in fact Thriller, as well as portraying an intense,  un-easy, graphic tone. This is highlighted in a numerous of ways, one being the close up, pan shot of a dead body which is seen with deep red blood surrounding it, this connotes that death is a key theme throughout the film due to it already being introduced so early on. By containing an image so graphic at the beginning of this film emphasises that the film is aimed at an older, mature audience whom enjoy dark mystery. Moreover the genre Thriller is made abundantly clear due to highlighting as well as implying the film will be focusing on solving a mystery which is unfolding. The genre and tone is also exclaimed and spotlighted through the introduction to the two characters we are presented to.

Furthermore, We are introduced to two characters, firstly the character Sommerset, whom is presented to be a neat, calm man who is straight to the point. This is seen from where the scene first commences through the use of mise-en-scene. The scene opens with a closeup of Summerset's ironed suit that is layed down neatly on his smartly tucked bed, he picks a piece of what seems like fluff of the suit, this connotes him to be an organised and neat individual. Following this there is a closeup pan shot of the dead body, which is followed by a tracking shot of Sommerset walking through what is implied to be the hallway of where a murder scene took place. By having Sommerset walking calmly and confidently with both hands in his pockets and a still intrigued facial expressions again implies he knows what he's doing,  connotes he is some sort of detective. Which is confirmed to us through his interaction with the other man about the murder case. Sommerset is dressed in typical detective clothing, as well as asking a-lot of questions about the case which confirms his role to us as the viewer and gives us a clear insight of what this film is going to be about. Through just the opening few minutes we are also introduced to a second character 'detective Mills', we know that he has just moved to town and he's established as being an extremely confident character. We know this due to the diegetic dialogue of Sommerset questioning 'why here' this connotes that the setting/town where they are working may not be a very nice area. This is highlighted through the exit from the building where the murder took place. Both detectives do not seem fazed by the dead body following them out the building; suggesting their used to this and have probably been in this area of work for years. 

Following this there is a fairly clear narrative given to us as the viewer within just these first opening minutes. We know that the film will be to do with mystery and it is made clear of the genre and introduces us to what seems like the main characters, through just this alone i believe the viewer will know wether they wish to keep watching and wether this is their 'thing'. From these first opening minutes i believe that the film will most probably be to do with the crime in this town and these detectives trying to figure out whom is behind it. I also believe the relationship between Mills and Sommerset progressing as colleagues will be explored further and that they'll most likely face these cases together.

When the camera is on Sommerset alone, it's usually rather steady and slow movements i believe this is to mimic and convey him to be a calm stable character. I also believe by the long tracking shot of where Sommerset and Mills are talking this mirrors the fact that they are busy men with a job to do, implies to us as the viewers that the film will be gripping with something going on constantly. This is also highlighted through the use of cuts when going from one angle to the next there is a cut yet not being fast and intense they do still capture the sense of busyness. 

I believe this is an extremely opening scene due to doing everything the viewer can ask from it, sets the genre clearly as a thriller, introduces what is spotlighted as two major characters and gives us a-lot of information by introducing them in depth through diegetic dialogue. Moreover it gives us a clear picture of the setting and what the film has to include.