The Ring Coursework

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How does the director create an effective opening to ‘The Ring’?

Originally, ‘The Ring’ was a novel written by Koji Suzuki and later adapted to a Japanese film by Hideo Nakata. Four years later (2002), the movie was re-told by Gore Verbinski, starring Naomi Watts (Rachel Keller), and Martin Henderson (Noah Clay).

Audiences can anticipate thrilling moments directing to blood or death. Suspense gradually builds up during the opening of the movie in order to keep the viewers on their toes. Twists could be included as convention of horrors because it keeps the audience guessing. Horror films should aim to get their audiences frightened, revolted and possibly even fascinated.

Introducing the movie, the very first thing we can hear is the sound of rain (non-diagetic sound) - which is a significant sign of danger. Audiences will notice that when rain is heard or seen, danger follows. This is helps create an effective opening for ‘The Ring’, as it gets the atmosphere ready for the audience. Interestingly, the ‘D’ from the ‘Dreamworks’ banner forms into a black and white ring signifying the movie name and also the very first image on the videotape. Straight into the film, a sound of a TV screeching can be heard (non- diagetic), which adds instant effect because audiences notice that the one noise is heard a few times throughout the film.

Verbinski produces a distinguished opening by using an establishing shot of Katie’s (Amber Tamblyn) huge house. The setting conveys a genre of horror as the house is secluded and Katie and her friend Becca (Rachael Bell) are alone in the middle of the night. This is efficacious because viewers are aware that something’s going to happen, but there’ll be no-one around to help. This intrigues the audience and therefore they want to know more. Just like ‘Scream’ or ‘Scary Movie’, horrors usually begin with a teenage girl alone at night, watching a movie or talking on the phone.

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Gore Verbinski very slowly injects drama by creating false alarms. When Katie reveals that she’s watched the tape with her boyfriend, Becca tries to change the subject by asking her if anything happened between the couple. Katie goes on to explain what happened with the tape and Becca believes it- until Katie tricks Becca into thinking that she’s choking. That’s when the girls joke around and change the topic to sex. Conveniently, the phone rings straight after. Verbinski uses this tactic to raise the audience’s adrenalin. He sets up false alarms in order to create an edgy atmosphere, but ...

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