Analysis of the First 15 Minutes of 'The Ring'

The Ring Film Analysis

The opening begins with a long shot of a chilling, dark, pitch black house as the camera dollys in. In the background there is the non-diegetic sound of white noise accompanied by rustling in order to create tension amongst the audience. This is also an establishing shot as it sets the scene for the first 15 minutes of the film when the girls get murdered. This scene is effective because it immediately lets the audience know that there is a possible danger within the house due to the connotations of the colour black, as well as it confirming that it will be a horror film from start to end.

Another shot used in the film is a low angle on the character Katie, which is used to show how vulnerable she is as well as it showing she is in possible danger. Another interpretation of the shot is that it is from the perspective of the murderer and would therefore forebode Katie is about to get killed. This subsequently causes the audience to feel agitated and fearful for Katie as she is the protagonist and they would want her to survive. There is also the diegetic noise of heavy breathing coming from Katie which emphasises how scared she is, which would make the audience sympathise with her.

Another analysis that can be made of the opening sequence of The Ring, is the field of depth change from being shallow when focusing on the blood and then deep when focusing on Katie. This shot is effective because it lets the audience know that Katie is seeing the blood when they do. Once Katie has seen the blood the camera then focuses on her as she pauses on the stair which emphasises how shocked and bewildered she is. The camera stays stationary as Katie moves closer which in the background the non diegetic sound of a piano like screeching noise grows louder. This adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere as the audience can't see past Katie's legs.

As Katie enters her friend's bedroom there is the use of a eyeline match edit, when the camera shows the blank television and then a close up of Katie's face to express how horrified she is. Then there is the use of a fast paced edit of multiple images which are too fast to notice properly and then the screen pauses on close up of the TV screen to the right. While this happen the non diegetic background music grows ever louder and more high pitched which delivers a shock when accompanied by the fast paced edit and the diegetic sound of Katie's screams. The scene then finishes and goes on to the more light hearted school scene. This 'cliff hanger' is used to leave the audience wondering what happens to Katie and subsequently leaves them wanting to carry on watching the film. It also brings the audience down from their shock.