2. The Ring opens with a fade from black and we see
grey clouds in the sky. The camera then pans up
and we see the a person fishing from the moon.
3. This then changes to show the Dreamworks logo,
this is a part of the Uses and Gratifications theory –
Personal Needs, this is providing the viewer with a
‘status’ through watching a film that has been
produced by an esteemed company such as
Dreamworks.
4. The screen then has a glitch, as if from a bad
quality VHS and this complies with the main part of
the movie which focuses on a VHS which when
played, the audience will die within 7 days. This
again works towards the Uses and Gratifications
theory – Affective and Cognitive because it is
working to their emotions and giving them some
information about the film itself.
The Dreamworks opening has been changed from
being a bright and colourful environment to being
dark and gloomy – this also works towards the
Uses and Gratifications theory because they are
showing that they are watching a horror film. Again
giving them personal cognitive needs.
5. We then see a fade to black, and then the movie
begins. We see a house, surrounded by trees - and we
can tell that it is night time as it is dark. This is typical
of most horror films, that it occurs in normality. This is
just a standard every day house and this affects the
audiences affective needs because they are thinking
about how whatever is going to happen is realistic and
could happen to them. This makes the storyline play on
their minds, even within the first 30 seconds.
6. The camera then cuts to two girls in a bedroom,
one on the bed one on the floor which suggests
that it is a sleepover – again a normal activity. They
are talking about how many radio-waves there are
in the air because of the TV and are looking for
something to watch. Again the affective needs are
met as this is affecting their emotions.
7. The girl on the floor passes the remote to the girl on
the bed. The conversation then changes to a video
where when you watch it you die within seven days.
The camera cuts to a close up of the girl on the floor,
and then back to a two shot as she climbs onto the
bed. The camera then cuts back to an over the
shoulder shot to one of the girls. This creates tension
for the audience because of the quick cuts and
changing camera angles.
8. The girl is talking about the video, and describes
how you see a woman brushing her hair, and then
she smiles at the camera – as a direct mode of
address again working towards the affective needs
in the uses and gratifications theory because it is
adding another realism to the film.
9. She is saying this with a smirk on her face, in
disbelief. She is saying how when you have
watched the film you get a phone call with
someone who knows you have just watched the
video and they tell you that you are going to die
within 7 days. This again adds a realism and is a
stereotype of horror films to have a phone used.
10. The camera then cuts back and the other girl
explains that she has watched the film and begins
to cry.
This adds tension to the rest of the film and draws
the audience in within the first two minutes.
