Seven intro analysis

How are technical, audio and visual codes used in "Seven" to make it an effective thriller opening?

Audio Codes

The sequence begins with non-diegetic distorted music, which sets up that the rest of the film will be following this twisted format, but by also having no lyrics added until the very end adds to the build up of suspense as it's the same warped track repeated. This creates an enigma code for the audience as they don't yet know what has caused the music to sound almost corrupted which could be a connotation that the events that happen in this film are also of a corrupted disposition.

Visual Codes

There are lots of visual codes hat appear within this intro sequence but one that I felt was of note was the pen behind a piece of paper either being turned or used to block what the persons doing from view. The position of his hand that is being used could connote a couple of different meanings each of which have their own effect n the reader, one of these is that it's being used almost like a syringe to inject someone with (maybe a patient or abductee) which promotes a very dark and almost horror vibe, this further adds to the tension built up from the previous audio codes already presented.

There were multiple sharp props used within the sequence, such as needles and screws, which could promote something of a horror disposition as these could be instruments used for torture or by inmates, all of which adds to the increasing feeling of dread and tension created by all of these elements working alongside one another.

Technical Codes

There appears to be very limited camera movement and all the movements made are done by transitional jump cuts which could connote that instead of it  being an all rounder third person experience for the audience it instead closely follows the narrative of one of the inmates or subjects within this  building.

However the primary focus of the camera does appear to be the hands, this could mean that what ever the main themes are of the film, the hands of this doctor or psychoanalyst are a key part or role that is played in the film and the way that the camera follows this could mean that these are the hands of the main character in which case the audience is left with an Enigma Code as they don't know the purpose of the hands or why the camera is following them so intently