Analysis of still shots in Se7en

Analysis of still shots for Se7en

As Se7en opened, the opening scene was set on a close-up shot on Morgan Freeman’s face, showing the significance and importance of him as a character, showing that he is significant to the plot. Furthermore, there is a close-up shot of his prop, a police badge showing that he as a character, has power in the storyline and that he will possibly overpower another character (the antagonist) at some point. His stature, and him fixing his uniform to a very presentable standard represents the further expression of his importance as a character within this movie and its plot.

The next scene is where Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are discussing a recent death irrelevant to the plot; a two-shot to show both characters is used. Brad is evidently walking quickly as if to catch up to Morgan and just seems much more casual and informal, showing that though they are both on a similar level of power, Morgan is by far the superior because of experience and that is shown in body language, which could be used later on to show who is more experienced and/or knowledgeable. Brad seems hasty and rushed, his uniform much less correct than that of Morgan, showing the contrast in experience further, whereas Morgan is more of a relaxed manner as he walks.

Further on into the opening where the first body is discovered, wide shots of the entire room are used to set the scene and give a feel for the atmosphere of it, however there is very little lighting and to further enforce the chilling atmosphere for the thriller scenery, the room looks almost derelict and abandoned, all the props used are rotting and dirty giving a rather unsettling feeling to open the movie. This will then lead to a discussion as to what happened to this person, and with the setting to back it up as well as the props and atmosphere it is clear that both protagonists know this is a murder, and these are common features of a thriller, especially those to do with serial killers as they set a mystery for the viewer, which is typically to use the environment and spot a calling card to try and figure out how the killer works at the same time as the protagonists.

Instantly after, the shot is changed to a two shot over the shoulder from behind both characters as a close-up of the sides of their faces from the back of their car as they have a discussion. Dim lighting is used again with nothing but the street to cast light on their faces as they drive slowly through the city in torrential downpours of rain, giving a feel of how dark the film is, because something is casting a shadow on the characters, which is a common convention of many thrillers. The shadow and dim lighting foreshadows a darkness that is to come and challenge the two protagonists in this case, or furthermore something more sinister could hang over them.

After the scene of which the public are notified of the serial killer, the scene changes to a mid shot of a scruffy looking Brad Pitt, sitting in what appears to be his superior’s office. The lighting is bright but focused on Brad, so this signifies that Brad’s character is a significant one and that the viewer should have their eyes on him, portraying the typical theme of a sense of security that thrillers cast across to the viewer. Brad’s relaxed stature creates a further sense of his lack of professionalism and could even lead to him being considered naïve which could link to something relevant later on when the antagonist is revealed, and becomes associated with the characters later on.