Seven: Mise-en-Scene Jake Ryder

Shot One

Shot One has High-key lighting illuminating the book - Suggesting it plays an important role in the story - with Low-key lighting to the side; this highlights the object which is heightened by the shallow focus.

The yellow of the book connotes illness and something that makes the viewer feel the same way

In the background, there are shadows. This makes the shot seem dangerous as there is a mystery of what the shadows are. The audience doesn't know if they face a threat or not, this creates a feeling of unease in the viewer,

Shot Two

The second shot shows a deformed hand. At first glance, the hand looks to be in fine condition. However, on a closer look you can see the deformation. These hands lie within the uncanny valley. They appear to be similar to what the audience knows but there is something slightly strange about them. This creates unease in the viewer.

There is a spot of high-key lighting, which contrasts with area of low-key lighting. This shows the internal conflict within the murderer, he feels as if what he is doing is justified but it is obviously an immoral to commit murder.

The paper is a stained yellow around the side of the picture. This is a colour associated with illness, which translates to how the audience is supposed to feel at this point. There is a red line dividing the hands, this shows blood and danger.

The white of the paper is usually an angelic colour, this contrasts the murders evil actions but also plays into the killers deluded religious motives. This is heightened by the fact that the paper is stained which shows how his religious intent is stained by something evil.

The paper is squared, it is tightly controlled which clashes with the seemingly chaotic actions that are unfolding before the viewer's eyes.

Shot Three

The killer's hand is filthy, with colours like orange prominent. This portrays a outcast character, who is astray from the rest of society.

This metal razor blade will be used in harming himself. This shows he isn’t concerned with pain.

The hands are the only part of the character that is on display. This adds to the mystery of the killer and by only showing him partially it makes him seem like more of a threat because the audience doesn't know the person's identity.

The fingers are worn suggesting that the person in question is a hard worker, working extremely hard to advance his cause.

Shot Four

There is a page full of scribbled writing, connoting that the characters emotions and thoughts are expressed through writing.

The writing looks rushed and untidy suggesting he has had an outburst of emotion and is possibly unstable

A shadow lies behind the paper, yet again only showing the killer partially adding to the mystery of the character.

The shadow could also represent his hand of death.

Shot Five

This shot is almost entirely black, this has the effect of causing the viewer to feel a gloom setting the mood of the film while also relating to the darkness of the character.

The one spot of high key lighting draws the viewer's attention to that spot.

The black pen mark drawn through the eyes of the face represent death, in a way it is like the person who is using the pen is the one who is responsible for that death.

Shot Six

The red of the top half connotes blood, death and danger while the white of the bottom connotes safety causing a split in emotions.

The bottom picture is upside down display a chaotic nature to what is happening.

The split between the scene could represent the split within the character's mind and displays his mental instability.

Shot Seven

The threading of the needle represents the character's precision and careful nature, suggesting he will be a hard criminal to catch due to his carefully planned plot and the extents he will go to in order to hide the evidence.

The badges represent that the character is damaged mentally, meaning he suffers from serious psychological problems.

Shot Eight

By removing the word God from the Dollar bill, it connotes that the character isn’t motivated by material wealth or by any earthly desire. Instead he is motivated by a higher power and his actions are spiritually motivated.