Evaluation of the Opening of The Ring The opening sequence of The Ring is very typical of a horror film, even though we later discover the film is more of a supernatural genre. The camera angles, music, sound, tension building techniques and visual effects such as lighting help set the scene. These factors sub-consciously show us it is a horror film and help us understand the main storyline, without giving too much away. It keeps us constantly guessing. By examining these techniques I will attempt to comment on how effective the opening sequence is in establishing the audience's expectations of the horror genre. In a typical horror film, the opening scene tends to be very important in setting up the rest of the film. This is true of The Ring, as the opening sequence tells us the urban legend of The Ring, basically setting up the rest of the film for us, as well as showing us it is a horror. The urban legend of the video is quite chilling in the way it is told, due to Becca's facial expressions and her voice, which is quite eerie. This sets the mood and in a way explains to us the way in which the urban legend is meant to be perceived, as it based around horrific, painful deaths, and the fact that an everyday thing such as a video could kill you. When the film begins, the camera goes back and forward between Katie and Becca's faces as the urban legend is being told. This is to show both of their emotions and reactions, making us as the audience understand how they feel, and putting us in the same state of fear that they are in. Close ups are also used here to show this and have the same effect on us. As the phone rings, the gi... ... middle of paper ... ... in the background as the tale is being told symbolises that time is running out for Katie, and that something will happen to her soon. The water on the floor as Katie reaches the top the stairs at the very end of the scene, can be related to the fact that this whole urban legend is about a girl who drowned in a well. I feel that over all, the opening scene is very traditional compared to the beginnings of other horror films such as this one. I feel it is in keeping with the rest of the film and that it establishes the audience's expectations of the horror genre, as it gives them exactly what is intended from a horror. There are a lot of shocks and scares to show the genre of the film and how it is meant to be perceived. All together I feel it is an appropriate opening scene for a horror film, and very well done.
The film Wendy and Lucy, directed by Kelly Reichardt, presents a sparse narrative. The film has been criticised for its lack of background story, and as a short film, much of the story is left to the viewer to infer from what is presented in the plot. However, Wendy and Lucy is able to depict the intimate relationship between Wendy and her dog as well as reflecting more broadly on the everyday, and commenting on the current economic state of the film’s setting in America. This essay will examine how film form contributes to the viewer’s awareness of the story in Wendy and Lucy and allows a deeper understanding of the themes presented. The aspects of mise-en-scene, shot and editing and sound in the film will be explored.
scenes from the film; this is due to a number of reasons. The main one
The first topic covered will be the plot which was mostly accurate despite the shortened aspects of the film. The
At this point a brief synopsis of the movie would seem to be in order,
to the film early on but makes the viewer want to make sense of what
...xt shot we observe them on the outside, for this Brown uses a straight cut rather than a jump cut to promote continuity into the next scene. All the scenes in the movie including this one take places in chronological order in a linear fashion. The editor also uses reverse angle cutting as well.
All that the viewer needs to know in these early stages of the film is
... time line of events. Which also goes hand in hand with Jacks insomnia, which shatters the barriers between reality versus fantasy, and memory versus dream for the spectator. Lastly the vast and bizarre camera angles from which the film was shot in help maintain the uncertain feeling for the spectator.
and taken out, to make the film shorter. In the 2002 film a lot more
...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.
Then the question is posed to Mr. Lockwood, "How did it all begin?" The answering of this question is what my paper will explain. I will attempt to break down the opening scene and show how it all started. By using tools of film such as sound, editing, mise en scene, and cinematography, this paper will show how the scene was made as well. Mise en scene played an important role in this movie as with any other movie.
placed into the major genres so it falls into a sub-genre class. The film has some
the film, to create a re-make that is worth going to see. The use of
made in. Some incorporate them into the plot, some use them as allegories, and some satirize them.” Without an influence or connection to relate with the audience, the film would have no dimension. When seeing a movie, viewers are always going to search for an underlying meaning or message that could connect to their lives today. Although most
Barsam, R. M., Monahan, D., & Gocsik, K. M. (2012). Looking at movies: an introduction to film (4th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co..