Research: What makes a thriller and famous examples (Analysis of "Se7en" opening)

Thrillers are said to elicit excitement, and an intense adrenaline rush that creates a compelling atmosphere that has the audience demanding to know more. Famous examples of thrillers (in terms of contemporary conventions) Silence of the Lambs (1991), Se7en (1995) and The Mechanist (2004). As alluded to previously, the conventions of genre are forever changing, meaning films are subject to change classification due to the conventions being altered on a regular basis. For example, if Silence of the Lambs had been released in 1960, it would unquestionably been branded a horror, due to the content that was being produced at that time. Thrillers can be subdivided into lots of categories, such as: psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, romantic thrillers, historical thrillers, political thrillers and action thrillers.

"Se7en" (1995) Opening Analysis

Intriguingly, the director has ommitted the use of long/establishing shots in the title sequence. This is most likely because the director does not want to give any ideas of where any of the settings/locatins in the film will take place - a technique that has been used to build suspense. This technique seems viable and our group feels it could benefit our feature due to the nature of our horror/thriller genre, and we wish to maintain some of the conventions used. In terms of Mise en Scene and the activity taking place in the opening, it seems as if someone is collating evidence using books, files and making notes - which denotes detective work is taking place and hints at some of the themes/ideas that may be prominent in the film. These objects/props are displayed through extreme close-ups which fill the frame, presenting them in great detail. It also obscures the identity of the person utilising these objects and also the environment in which it is taking place. The lighting is dark (low key lighting) which, again, obscures certain objects in the frame, whilst light is casted over other objects in the frame which builds suspense. There is also a scene in which photos are being developed (which links back to the idea of evidence being collated) and the lighting is a dark red colour, which suggests danger and has been employed to ensure this idea resonates through to the passive audience. Other than this part of the opening, though, black and white is used - most probably to reinforce the danger of red as black and white are very simple colours, however the darkness connnotes danger. In terms of editing, the opening uses a sequential selection of different shots together. Between the shots there are many normal cuts, and some that dissolve into darkness before making the transition to another shot. This suggests that all the clips are relevant to each other and the investigation which is taking place. The shots are relatively short but slow motion effects are used in order for the audience to comprehend what is happening in the shot, although these shots speed up towards the end of the opening, which builds suspense for the audience. Locations and identities are kept annonymous throughout the entire opening - this keeps the audience guessing, a technique that has come to typify thrillers and one which we intend to use in our opening in our short film, as we have made a preferance for the horror/thriller genre.