Research into Examples of Comparable Media Products

Research into examples of comparable products
'Se7en'
Narrative Structure
First we see a main character, inspector sommerset, looks like an ordinary guy,
Then we see the second scene, there has been a killing, a gun had been fired.
Sommerset looks for clues on the fridge, we are then introduced to inspector Mills, they walk outside along the dark and dreary street, through their conversation, we discover Mills is new to the case. Then we cut off to see sommerset in bed, reading, we can tell he is single.


Thriller Codes and Conventions


Camera Work
Beginning shot - As if we are peering in on him, blurred door to the left of the shot
Over the shoulder shot when getting ready in the mirror
Depth of field - sommerset looking at fridge, man in background blurred out
Man steps away and reveals blood on the curtain
Walking on the street, low angle shot, men are far apart showing the importance and power of the men, also it makes the city look busy with the people pushing past them.
In Sommerset bedroom, the door on the left of the shot is blurred to make it look like we're peeping in.


Mise-En-Scene
There is lots of white and neutral colours to suggest nothing too eccentric, just an ordinary apartment. The man is getting ready for work. On the table he picks up his things which suggest what sort of profession he may have. His bed is immaculate, which suggests a tidy person. Next scene we see a dead body with a trail of blood coming from it, there is low-key lighting, dull colours and plenty of shadows. The Mills comes into the scene from up the stairs, they introduce themselves so we know their names. Outside the city looks dirty, grey and mossy.


Sound
Before the image appears, there is city noise (diegetic), inspectors talking, rain outside, in sommersets room there is a siren outside and it is still raining. Also there is a metronome which could symbolise his need to concentrate, or to symbolise time ticking more obvious. Then there is a loud rumble of lightning and this blends nicely into the theme tune which now begins.


Editing
Fade in beginning scene.


Graphics
The graphics for Se7en were quite interesting and unique, on a patch of black in the background the title fades in roughly, juttering about to looks unsteady and volatile. The font looks like ribs/x-rays, its movement is quite irratic which could mean the unbalanced mind of the killer.