Codes and Conventions

The Art of the Title

Sequence

The Man Responsible: Kyle

Cooper- Designer of Motion
Graphics

Seven elevated Kyle Cooper as the leading

designer of motion graphics. His
excruciating exploration of the physicality of
image-making had an immediate impact on
the film industry. The process could be
referred to as method design (much like
method acting). "That sequence for Seven is
only good because it is the film, because it
came out of the film," Cooper says. "I
wanted to get across the idea of the killer,
to make something that he would have
made. That's how you want it to be. The
form should be born out of the content."

Use the following questions to

guide your analysis
How is the genre of the film
(psychological thriller) constructed?
What do the opening titles show,
visually? How is narrative enigma
created here?
Why has the Kyle Cooper chosen to use
CU shots which hide the identity of the
villain? Where do these shots position
the viewer?

What is the effect of the

music?
The soundtrack used is by Trent
Reznor- what is the effect of this?
How would you describe it?

How has typography been

used?
One of the most interesting aspects
about the credits is the use of type.
What is the effect of the scratched
imperfect lettering accompanied by
the black background?

How is the mise en scene

conveyed?
How does the rough-cut, up-close footage
of ordinary tools of reproduction
developing trays, scissors, paper, tapecreate an ominous, unsettling
atmosphere?
Look closely for the profane words
scribbled on the film mixed with bits of
bible prophesy and other nihilistic
scrawlings. How are these used to
construct the John Doe character?

What information is provided in

the opening sequence?
Examine the order in which
information appears.
Is there any significance in the
positioning of the text?

How has the sequence been

edited?
What characterises how the
sequence has been edited?
What kinds of transitions are used
and what is the effect?
What is the pace of the edit? Does it
vary or change through the
sequence?