Cooper studied Graphic Design at the Yale School of Art and is now the founder of the two film design companies 'Imaginary Forces' and 'Prologue Films'.
The opening sequence of 'Seven' is introduced by a book where someone is flicking through the pages giving viewers a sense of an evil mind at work. The sequence includes many different short shots of the persons progress of the book as if they may be planning the destruction of something or someone as many different instruments of possible torture are being examined and observed therefore being captured on camera. The shots are seperated by the continuous blackening of the screen as the actors and casts names appear which signifies the presence of evil and mystery within the film. The shots at the beginning of the opening scene are very much showing the process of a characters plan. The credits of people’s names flicker on screen and abruptly disappear which sets a tense and atmospheric mood as nothing is constant. The non-diegetic music consists of a continuous beat and symbols, which seemingly acts as a heartbeat setting a steady pace. There are however added noises of what sounds like the creaking of instruments in use and the sounds of devices being handled. The actual title ‘SE7EN’ bears the font of a typewriter seeming official whereas the names are written in handwriting, which is more personal and gives the audience a sense of a plan being devised which is similar to the occurring activities of the shots. The significant book, which the title sequence revolves around, is opened and the character is seen to be continuously writing in it in the next shot. This suggests the character has been spending a lot of time and attention towards the contents. The sudden glimpse of a blurred red image fills the screen, which signifies blood and violence as well as danger. This could foretell the actions and events, which are to happen in the movie.
The next shot shows the character cutting and pasting a picture into the book, the object of the scissors being used sets a tense atmosphere as the person is very precise at the job and therefore completes the task at a slow pace which increases the tension. The scissors could also be used a tool for torture or violence. The next couple of shots are edited together and are shown at quick pace. Such as a shot where the characters fingers run along the edge of a photo, supposedly pasting it into the book when suddenly the image changes to a view of scattered newspapers whilst blood drips onto them signifying death and violence. However, the shot changes back to the picture pasted into the book quickly, hardly allowing any time for the viewers to digest what has been shown in the last shot which suggests this shot acts as a hint of what is to come in the movie in the way of a death. The non-diegetic high-pitched tones which are similar to angelic choir voices plays in the background which contrasts with the activities of the opening credits and sets an eerie atmosphere. The names of the credits are interrupted by flashing, scratched numbers, which could signify a possible code adding an aspect of mystery to the film. All the shots that have been shown so far have been close ups which emphasises the aspect of mystery within the film as the shots have been restricted to not allow too much to be given away as a means of visual proof. Again the aspect of mystery is being communicated as certain words in a newspaper article are being covered over with black pen which is a definite cynical colour connoting evil. The image of the newspaper then transforms into the image of a man’s face in which his eyes are being hidden under the similar ink of a black pen, suddenly his whole face has been scribbled over and the non diegetic music escalates in pace as the idea of destruction has been introduced. The colour of red now seems to be a recurring theme to the credits as the pictures being shown in the book become much more detailed and graphic in the pure horror of the image. As the non-diegetic beat of the music quickens the actions of the character match the pace as they may be becoming more hurried with anticipation. Dirtied fingers are shown to be threading a needle stained with blood, which emphasises the terror and disgust of the movie, hinting at death. The only words sung in the non-diegetic backing track are ‘You bring me closer to God’ as the character tweezers away a clipping of a dollar bill which reads the words ‘God’ therefore relating to the actions on screen and also suggest the event of murder as the lyrics imply a person is brought closer to God and an obvious way is as a result of death.
The spider-man title sequence is introduced to the audience
with sinister non-diegetic music setting an atmosphere of potential terror. The
whole of the title sequence is animated displaying the names intertwined in
cobwebs which links to the title of the movie ‘Spider-man’ as spiders produce
cobwebs. The letters making up the names of the members of cast bear the font
of the renowned spider-man title which is an effective lead up to the start of
the film. The twirling and erratic movements of the camera symbolise the
similar movements spider-man as if the transition through out the title
sequence is from spider-man’s point of view. As the title sequence progresses
there is a significant increase in the colour red, which could symbolise
danger, and violence, which possibly foreshadows the events of the movie. Also
as the sequence goes on there is an introduction to spider-man’s features,
displaying a punch movement signifying violence and power. The swift transition
of the names also resembles spider-man’s movements, showing more and more of
his features, steadily introducing the character. Another feature of the title
sequence is the introduction of possible other characters within the movie,
whom are enemies to spider-man and then transform into cobwebs which signifies
the defeat of the enemies via the power of spider-man. The background scene
transforms into the urban landscape of a city, which could be seen as
intimidating. Spider-man is situated on the side of a high-rise building, which
displays his courage and bravery giving an insight into the adventures of the
main character.
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