Opening Sequences

The opening sequence that i have decided to do is the opening sequence of the film 'The Ring'. I have chosen this film as it is a very similar film to which we are wanting to produce an opening sequence for. The Ring is a good example of this type of genre (horror/action) it seduces the viewers into the film and also makes them jump which makes the viewers, off the opening sequence, wish to carry on and watch the film so they can find out what happens at the end of the film. Also what i like about the opening sequence of this film is that it leaves it on a cliff hanger which gets the viewers on edge wondering about what’s going to happen.


The lighting which is used a lot in this opening sequence is mainly low key lighting which sets the mood of the film and also the sounds that are used in the opening sequence is perfect for the type of film it is as we always associate films of this genre to have a sound as it does as it is a very slow tempo and low volume but gets louder when something is about to happen which, along with the lighting, sets the mood of the film and builds up the tension of the film ready to frighten the audience. The setting that is used is in a modern house with it all white but with the low key lighting that is used it makes the rooms seem very dull and has the house all one colour.


The main character in the opening sequence is a girl and this is because girls are deemed as vulnerable to others and are supposedly more scared according to ideology, also in this opening sequence when they aren’t playing anything in the background there is the heavy breathing of the girl and the noise of the television this causes suspense for the viewers as it a thrilling sound which makes the viewers tense up as they are waiting for something to happen. Another sound which happens at the end of the opening sequence where it zooms in on the girls face and her face changes and then suddenly just zooms into the television screen where the screen is all fuzzy and has that sound which sends a shiver down the viewers spine this causes a thrill and a great cliff hanger ending leaving a lot of questions to be answered to the viewers.


The thing i like most about this opening sequence is how it leads you into suspense and also wondering what is going to happen during the film and why the television was fuzzy downstairs and also upstairs and why her face changed, also the viewers want to watch it to see where a bout’s the girl is that she is shouting. All these are unanswered questions which the viewers want to know which is why its such a good opening sequence as it is near enough making them watch the rest of the film as they want to know what is going to happen and how it ends.

By Michael Keenan