Prop Analysis: seven opening sequence

Seven begins with a close up of an open book. The fact a book has been used straight away can connote wisdom and knowledge of whoever is reading it. It could also suggest who ever is handling the book strives to know as much as possible about things. The fact the page of the book flips over can also symbolise how the person or narrative is evolving. e.g. as the pages of the book turns, something is developing. Another way of decoding to book could be to link it to religion. Religion can be symbolised by their Holy books. This could foreshadow danger suggesting that whoever it is is praying for something; prayer which can be linked to asking for forgiveness.

The next frame shows the character, who the audience assume is the same as the previous frame, handling a razor. This creates a sinister tone to the audience as razors are often linked with violence and self harm connoting the state of the characters mind. It raises questions of how stable they are. Linked with the low key lighting consistent through the opening sequence so far, it suggests the audience are being kept in the dark about something. Considering the only human we have come across so far is this character, they assume its about them. The fact the razor has numbers/letters engraved into creates further enigma as it suggests it has been branded as if it has an owner. For someone to engrave something as simple as a razor suggests that the owner of it has a reason to be so protective over it.

In-between multiple shots throughout the opening sequence, the editor has edited very short shots of images of people in. The images have been used purposely to make the audience feel uneasy. The fact that the images seem to be quite disturbing but are not shown long enough for them to understand what it is can be disorientating and nerving to the audience. Furthermore, the use of the props of the images themselves can also effect the audience as it suggests the character we haven't really been introduced to has been watching someone. The symbolism of the photographs suggesting that he is always looking at them as they are a permanent thing.

Next we see the character using the prop of a pen and paper to write. The use of the fast paced editing and jump cuts to follow them writing across the paper creates a sense of urgency. The fact they are writing down makes this particularly eerie as it suggests he is rushing to get his thoughts down or rushing to record something. This could suggest some of their characteristics almost as if he is unstable as he is in such urgency to record his thoughts that he almost cant cope with them. On the other hand, it could foreshadow the narrative as it could suggest they are planning something in great detail.

Over all this opening sequence is effective as the audience are never introduced to the character. Instead they see him/her interacting with objects that all have sinister connotations. This forces them to make judgement on the character due to what props they see. The props have all been purposely selected to continue the early connotations the low key lighting, fast paced editing and threatening music all created. They generate an enigma as to the intentions of the character and the props add to this as they all have negative connotations but they are never confirmed to be used for the negative reason therefore, it leaves the audience in immediate tension and suspense for the rest of the film.

How this will help me:
This opening sequence will help me because i have realised how important the connotations of props are. As in our opening sequence we are planning on following our stalkers routine on preparing to kidnap the victim, i have realised we need to plan what props our stalker interacts with. I have also realised that you do not have to constantly include the characters interacting with props but it is equally as effective just to have frame that are filled with a specific prop that could foreshadow narrative events and characters personalities.