The opening title sequence of The Ring establishes it as a horror genre film through various cinematic techniques. DreamWorks' production logo is shown over a dark, stormy background with bold font, foreshadowing themes of good vs. evil. Low-key lighting and a nighttime setting are used when introducing the primary location of an isolated house. Sound effects like heavy rain, whispers and a ticking clock build tension. The two main characters, shown as innocent schoolgirls through costumes and makeup, discuss a mysterious tape that worries them through a series of shots that switch between their faces.

1. The Ring opening title
sequence analysis

2. Genre
Straight away we are introduced to the movies production company,
dreamwork. Dream works has a popular and recognisable ident which
has produced many successful films such as Sweeney Todd which had a
box office selling of 152.5 million foreshadowing this movie to have the
same success. The production company is shown in front of a spooky
background of dark skies instantly presenting the movie to be of a genre
of horror. The dream works title is also written in white on top of a dark
background, this displays a sense of binary opposition conveying the
movie to have elements of good vs evil, this is a typical convention of a
horror movie
The writing is also written in bold capital letters to not only
stand out and draws the audience in to the logo, but it also
foreshadows the movie to have a dominant character in the
movie that perhaps the other characters are afraid or less
dominant to.
It is also portrayed in the production company the clouds having a hint
of light in the dark clouds. This could automatically signify the ying
yang sign which is Chinese for dark and bright, describing how
contrary forces are natural in the everyday world. It represents how
good and bad always seem to be around in the world. It displays how
the font shows a tiny bit of good in the bad which is a typical
convention of a horror movie . The production of the movie also
glitches which not only again draws the audience in to the beginning
of the movie, it foreshadows and links to the girl crawling out of the
glitching tv and the main plot of the story.
It is also significant to point out that the films title is not shown in the opening sequence of the
movie, this could signify how the plot or story line is unknown and mysterious. It challenges the
audience to think and read between the lines about why the movie is called “the ring”.

3. Indication of setting
Immediately the audience are drawn to the setting
through the low angled shot which automatically
makes the house look bigger giving the audience an
insight that this is a primary setting of the movie. The
house is shown with low key lighting and during the
night time displaying instantly the theme of horror.
The mis en scene of the dead tree is used as a prop
to foreshadow the death in a movie. It also gives an
insight of the time period of which the movie is set,
since dead tress are usually found in winter time, it
portrays the pathetic fallacy due to the harsh rain and
coldness found in that year.
It is also made obvious from the light which is
prominent in the house, this automatically displays the
place where the movie will be primarily set. It could
also represent the innocence of the character within
the movie since the light from the room is surrounded
by the dark windows.
Addressing the location at the beginning of the movie
is important as it gives an insight to the characters life.
For example, this house is a big house and in a nice
area automatically displaying the wealth of the
character.

4. Sound
The Importance of Sound in Horror Films In every movie we are able to hear different sou
In the beginning of the opening sequence when the
production company is shown, the sound of heavy rain
and thunder is heard. All this links to the idea of a
storm which means pathetic fallacy is used to
foreshadow further events in the movie.
From the edit transition from where the scene goes from
the house to the 2 girls sitting on the bed, a whispering
sound is heard. The audience can only assume the
whispering sound is from the girl in the ring leaving the
audience on the edge of there seat from this tense mood
that has been created from the sounds used.
Sound is also heard by the audience from the television and the clock. The tv makes a fuzzy sound
in the background which not only indicates that the tv is a main subject of the film but also creates
a sinister feel to the film. The clock in the background makes a sharp tick tock sound building up
tension for the audience. It also makes the audience aware that the main action will happen late at
night since the audience can see the time.

5. Lighting
In the beginning of the opening sequence where we see the
house, this is a form of chiaroscuro lighting. This is a scene
that has intense lightning in one spot and then surrounded
by lots of shadows. This gives a dramatic and unusual
effect and is often used as a convention of a horror movie to
meet the expectations of the audience.

6. Introduction to main
characters
The audience are first introduced to the 2 main characters of the two
girls sitting on the bed watching telly. The girls body language seems
relaxed since they are watching the telly, like what most normal
people do. However the setting juxtaposes the initial establishing shot
when they start talking about a tape. There facial expressions instantly
change to signify that they are worried or scared which is exactly how
the audience will feel for them. This links to the idea that the “slut will
die” convention which links to the audiences expectations. By facial
expressions, the audience can learn a lot about the individual
characters and the story line of what is to come.
The characters are seen to be wearing school
uniforms signifying that they are young, innocent
and vulnerable. Both girls are wearing minimal or
no makeup conveying an idea that they are young
and naive.

7. Cinematography
In the opening scene, different shots are used to create dramatic
effect and leave the audience on the edge of there seats. Dialogue
between the two characters are introduced as main parts of the film.
This point of view shot has been taken from the
position of the subject. This is used to enhance
realism and ensure to audience feel involved.
The mood of the scene is relaxed and dull due
to the girls body language and doing a normal
everyday thing, watching telly. In the next shot,
the camera is moved close, a close up shot to
concentrate on what the girls are talking about
which is the story line and the horror within it.
This connotes the importance of the characters
in the film and introduces them fully.
Throughout the dialogue between the two
main characters, the camera
differentiates back and fourth between
them when they are speaking. The fast
pace between the switching of shots
could could evoke and foreshadow the
jumpiness and scares in the movie. It
could also represent the audiences
feelings of there heartbeat and there
reaction to the movie. The over the
shoulder shot also engages the audience
with the conversation and to feel as if
they are in the conversation also.

8. General information
The films opening sequence
does not have any credits to
the main stars. This could
signify that the movie does not
have any famous actors or
actresses stating that the
movie is a low budget movie.