Compare the opening sequence credits of these films: ‘Se7en’ and ‘Psycho’ Essay Example

used. It was a major influence to a number of movies in the later years, and this is where Seven comes in. Although Seven has a different storyline, it is of the same genre and there are traces of the earlier released Psycho. In Psycho, there is no opening scene, whereas it is present in Seven.

This is the key difference in both the movies. Comparison can also be drawn between both the films in terms of music used, credits, images and the colour/light used.The music in both movies create tension and excitement but in different ways. In Psycho, there is the use of staccato strings. The short, jerky sounds reflect emotions. It can also be interpreted as the stabbing of a person by a knife.

As the credits proceed, softer harmonious music is played. The music goes hand in hand with the moving lines throughout the sequence. In stark contrast to that is the music used in Seven. There is the harsh, industrial, metallic sounding beat. There is little melody or harmony.

The music is loud and it builds as the credits move on. The urban noise appeals to the audience. It brings them closer. The only wordings in the whole sequence "You bring me closer to God" imply a deranged mind.

It is like a death wish. The person seems to feel that he is on a crusade from God. He is trying to please God but in turn is killing people. The music in both the opening sequences builds to a climax. The music in Psycho and Seven has the same effect on the audience but is portrayed differently.

Comparison can be drawn

in the credits too. The credits basically inform the audience of the cast and crew involved in the making of the movie. One key difference noticeable in the credits is the first words shown. In Psycho, the first words are the director's name - 'Alfred Hitchcock'. They are like the bookends are shown at the start and end of the credits sequence.

This suggests both the genre and also that this is his movie, not the actors'. In contrast to that is Seven, in which the actor's name is first. It stands alone and this also stresses the fact that the movie is marketed on him. This highlights the shift in the domination of cinema from the directors in 1960 to the actors in 1995. In Psycho, the words are split which can imply the idea of split personality. Seven has a faint link to Psycho as in the words are written in a shaky writing, which is childlike.

This may represent the untidy, unclear mind of the person in question. The title of the movie Psycho suggests insanity, violence and a disturbed mind to the audience. They will come prepared for the movie. Similar to that is Se7en which is also a visual pun (seven! 7!). It raises questions in the audience's minds regarding its meaning and the film's genre.The use of colour and images is also important.

The key difference is that in Seven, lots of vibrant images are used whereas in Psycho, only 2D shapes are used. Black and white colour is used for the shapes in Psycho. This use of black and white shows contrast between good and evil. It relates

to the genre. It is also an effective tool to highlight the scenes including blood. In Seven, dark colours are used.

There is also the shadow effect and red is used for blood. Colour is employed to add detail, create atmosphere and for symbolism. These colours create tension amongst the audience and they know that they are in for a thriller. The layered images in Seven go about in a quick, sharp succession and this leaves the audience puzzled.

In terms of images, Psycho only has lines which go about on the screen. But they are very effective as they go hand in hand with the music. The horizontal lines appear from different directions throughout the sequence and this suggests the movement of a knife (stabbing of a person). Vertical lines appear at the end of the sequence and they fade appropriately into the opening scene of a city landscape.

This is similar to Seven as, at the end of the credits sequence, we are brought straight into the city. In the opening sequence, Seven projects someone rejecting modern culture and trying to find order in chaos, but is actually creating chaos. This reflects in the images used. The audience is confused and puzzled by the images. The image of shrivelled (dead?) hands, cutting skin off finger, contrast of red over white, mad writing, blacking out published writing are some examples of images used in the opening sequence of Seven.

The purpose is well served in both the films creating the feeling of terror.Psycho was made in 1960 and at the time films were made with all the credits being shown first. The audience was

more patient than today's are were prepared to sit through the entire list of credits before the film began. This gave the director the chance to create the desired effect on the audience before the start of the film.

As we see in Seven, there is an opening scene before the credits sequence thus plunging the audience directly into the film's events, characters, themes and atmosphere. The credits are later shown and that too is a partial list of only the important people involved in the making of the movie. The full list is shown at the completion of the movie. This is because the modern audience is used to viewing fast paced, multi-layered, colourful graphic images on film and television. They are therefore less patient and not willing to sit though the entire credits. Psycho brought about a change in the film industry.

A new realistic level of violence was explored by Hitchcock. Psycho was a movie of many 'firsts'. The movie has been highly influential and many films in the later years have taken ideas from Psycho. Another important thing is that earlier, importance was given to the director of the movie and the actors were secondary. But as the years passed, there has been a shift in marketing power from the directors in 1960 to the actors in the present world.In conclusion, both movies Psycho and Se7en have a similar effect on the audience.

Both are trying to say the same thing. Although the use of colour, images and music in Seven is very different from Psycho, they have the same intended effect. They are effective as they bring about tension and

excitement in the audience. They involve the audience and make them want to see the movie further.

I personally felt that the opening credits sequence of Seven was more effective than Psycho as it was more complicated and made the audience think. It grabbed my attention and made me want to watch the movie. The gross images, the distinct music, the contrasting colours all came together well to give a great opening sequence. As I am used to fast paced colour shots, I felt the credits sequence of Psycho a bit boring as there was nothing but music and black/white lines.

But I appreciate it as it is appropriate for the audience of 1960.