Analysis opening of the Ring

Titling:
The main colours that were seen onscreen were white, grey and black for darkness, which shows us it’s a horror movie.

Camera Movement:

The camera zooms into the mansion, which highlights that it’s a horror movie because of the layout and the dark background.

Framing of Shot:

Medium shot was used when the two characters in the opening scene were watching TV which coveys that it’s identifying what they’re particularly doing.

Close up shot when the girl is panicking this highlights that tension is building up between the two characters by the victim feeling intimidated because her friend is threatening her with previous horror stories.

Close up shot was also used when the camera was focusing on the character opening the door handle, which shows us that she feels nervous, anxious and terrified.

Camera Angles:

High angle shot has also been included in the opening of this scene when the main character was looking upwards towards the stairs this shows the audience that she feels powerless and intimidated.

Mise-en-scène:

The costumes that the two characters were wearing onscreen represents that they’re young teenage middle class girls who enjoy their social life.

The location of this is seen as a horror mansion because not enough lighting was used which is known as a low key lighting which creates strong tension in the this scene.

Editing directions:

Reverse shot has been used in the opening scene between the girls and the television onscreen, which suggests that they both have a connection.

Sound techniques:

Non-diegetic sound has been included in the opening scene when the telephone rings. The telephone can be seen as a threat and danger towards the two characters because theirs no adult in charge of the big mansion, which suggests that, anything could happen.

Diegetic sound included when pouring a drink and when the television switches itself.

Character’s Positioning:

The two actresses positioning in the opening scene was them sitting in the bedroom minding their own business watching a movie etc. When suddenly they tell each other story and hear a phone call which makes them feel paranoid.

Narrative Questions:

Who is the hero and who is the Villain? How do you know?

The villain in this mysterious curse video tape who curses people who watch the video tape. After Rachel viewing the tape she has incredible nightmares that hunt her down.

Where is the story set? What does this tell you about the genre of the film?

The story was set inside a large dark mansion which represents awfulness situations this is because the weather was raining, night time and there was only 1 dim light. This suggests that it’s building up tension within the set. The camera shots that are being used during this scene are close ups, medium shots and establishing shots like at the beginning. This also tells us that the genre of this film is going to be a psychological horror because of the location that takes place and the sound effects such as the thunder and rain.

How many principle characters?

The main principle character in this film is the unstoppable curse spirit (Samara Morgan) who does not give up on her victims because they watched the curse tape this gives us an idea that she will hunt them down for

People who watched the curse tape. Samara Morgan looks at her victims’ facial expressions, which give us a hint of the horror movie.

How is the story told? Chronologically or does it switch between present ad past? What is the effect?

The effect of this story is that no flash backs were included but however it begins where two teenage girls were discussing about this mysterious video tape that took lives away. (Rachel) revealed that she watched the tape seven days before with her friends. The girls didn’t believe it but however the television begins to switch on itself making loud noises. Suddenly one of the teenage girls mysteriously and horrifically dies while another watches it causing to be institutionalized in a mental hospital.

What questions are you left with?

How does the opening scene effect audiences?

The opening scene effects audiences this is because it begins with a calm atmosphere where two young teenage girls were communicating suddenly when the television switches on its own this gives the audience a sense that tension will begin to rise.