Codes and Conventions

Se7en Opening Credits

Codes: a device used in media text to establish a way of creating meaning.

Conventions: techniques associated with a certain genre within a media text.

Technical Codes and Conventions:

The editing production team used fast cuts to communicate to the audience they need to process a lot of information in a short space of time to understand the major themes of the film. The film also uses XCU on sharp objects; which is commonly associated with horror or thriller films, to communicate themes of death and violence.
We also see XCU of hands but never any other parts of the protagonist in the film.

The filter of a yellow- green colour connotes that the film has something to do with sickness, cowardice, discord and jealousy. It also has the conventions of a limited colour-palette, as the film is supposed to be seen in a certain way, removing confusion with the connotations.

The typography is looks like scribbles and rushed, this could connote the film has a sense  of urgency that is of major importance as it features throughout the film. (Example given below)













Verbal:
The camera has series of XCU on notes and highlights certain words such as transsexuals,  to set the tone of the film and images are relayed for emphasis. The film uses disturbing and harsh sounds such as; chalkboard scratchings and screams, typical of thrillers and horrors to unsettle the audience.

The music plays eerie music, to help set the tone and we hear one voice at the the end to give a lasting impression that stick with us; the voice cries "I want to be closer to God". This could be linked to one or more characters wanting to be closer to God and the theme of religion.

Symbolic:
We see blood spilled onto the page, this could be linked to theme of violence and murder. It also uses the colour red, a colour associated with blood, death and rage. We also images of mutilated bodies and corpses which links back to themes of death. 

Red can also be associated with lust, love and sexuality. Sexuality and gender is shown to be a prominent theme with XCU and slower cuts on words like "femininity" and "transsexuals" to show the importance of sexuality and gender is to the plot.

We see images of razors, this connotes criminal activity and the peeling of skin. Also, there are needles, an object associated with fear deviance and addition.



The film presents clearly and concisely the main themes of the film and expertly uses technology to help present the themes.