Typical mise-en-scene used in crime-thriller films.

I have identified mise-en-scene from a popular thriller film "Se7en." The film follows two detectives, trying to capture a murderer who uses the seven deadly sins to kill his victims. I did this to gain more knowledge about crime-thrillers and everything incorporated to make it realistic. I used the trailer to get a summary of the whole film.

The two main protagonists in the film are detectives, they wear suits which hints that they have an important role in society and the film. This also allows the audience to recognise the genre of the film.

We see Morgan Freeman's character, William Somerset, holding a torch which shines directly into the camera. A detective would typically carry a torch. This also creates mystery as he is obviously searching for something, and the torch hints that this is in the dark. the darkness of the scene creates suspense and tension and these are typical features of a thriller- mystery, suspense and tension.

We then see Brad Pitt's character, David Mills, is in a photographic dark room looking at poloroid photos hanging from the ceiling. This creates enigmas- what are the photos of? Do the photographs link to the murders? There is also a red tint of light on the room. The colour red represents death, blood and sorrow- does this link to the murders also? Mill's also has a plaster on his head, why is it there? Mill's tosses his head around, confused and flustered, as though he doesn't understand the content of the photographs. Photographs can be used as clues, so this is another typical feature of a crime-thriller, and a scene that you would expect to find.

We see police crime tape, also clearly showing the audience the genre of the film.

The film uses an urban setting, which is also typical to a police/crime film. We see a flat with an untidy interiors, and an unmade bed etc. In the flat we see a dead body- which is again typical.

  

  We can use this research to identify common mise en scene of crime-thrillers.  This will become very useful when we are producing our final film, as this has helped us to become familiar with typical settings, props, clothing and lighting.

Stevie