OPENING SEQUENCE

THE RING (2002, Verbinksi)




This opening sequence is one of the best I've ever seen. A spine-chilling, engaging sequence which follows the conventions of a horror opening sequence, yet is individual by not following the Todorev classic narrative theory.
The sequence starts with a low establishing shot of a corridor. At the far end of the shot we see a girl running up the stairs in a skirt and a shirt,(portraying she may be school child) as if she may have just heard a noise. As she walks towards the puddle of water (in the foreground of the shot) her pace slows down, implying to the audience something mysterious is about to occur. The reaction shot really involves the audience as we know exactly how the girl is feeling. The close up of the door knob creates impact and emphasises on the dripping water. This is an enigma shot as the audience urge to know what is on the other side of the door. We are then taken into a long shot of the inside of the room, the audience are not yet sure whether this is her own room or someone elses. We hear a high pitched scream and a cut away to what the girl is looking at - a black and white fuzzy TV screen. The camera then zooms into the girls' shocked face, allowing the audience to empathise with her.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
The girl is a blonde and looks innocent, making her look vulnerable and naive. She is dressed in a short skirt and an untucked shirt which gives the audience the impression she is a laid back, unorganised girl. Her nails are long and painted implying she is a 'girly-girl.' This allows the audience to sympathise with her as we believe she isn't the type of girl who will be able to defend herself.
SOUND
There is no soundtrack until 0.36 seconds into the sequence. This creates maximum impact on the diegetic sound in the shot. For example, the running up the stairs, and drip sound of the water are made audible and sound more primitive because of the deadly silence. The screeching of the TV stands in stark contrast to the deadly silence in the previous shots, giving the audience a suprised shock. The soundtrack then starts at 0.36 - the instument is a xylophone, paired with a more primitive string instrument which gradually seems to dominate the sountrack.