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.
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. 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.
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.
3. 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.
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.
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.
4. 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.
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.
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.
6. The film begins with a fade from black, and we see the animated title sequence for Dimension
Films. This works towards the uses and gratifications theory needs model – Personal needs as
it is giving the viewer a status by watching such a film.
We then see another fade to black and then text appear which is a quote from a Dr. Samuel
Loomis which talks about souls coming from the hell of the abyss. This is creating a
hermeneutic code for the audience as they want to know how such a quote is going to be
relevant to the film and want to watch on.
Another fade to black shows the title Halloween. This again is for the uses and gratifications
theory needs model – personal.
Fading in from this is a wide angle close up shot of a house which pans upwards whilst
zooming out. Non-diegetic sound plays in the background and it is shown to be a normal house
at Halloween with pumpkins outside. By showing that it is a normal environment this becomes
more personal and affects the audience at a greater scale.
A cut to a mouse cage, and a masked person in the background. The mask is a comical clown
which adds an element of comical horror. The person picks up the mouse and begins to speak
to it with a soft tone. Another cut shows somebody cooking and we then hear a couple arguing
about bringing money into the home. This again adds an element of realism as this is
something the audience can relate to. Throughout the scene the camera cuts from over
shoulder shots, to close ups. They begin shouting and the baby begins to cry.
