The Ring Trailer Analysis

I looked at the trailer from The Ring and analysed various different parts of it including camera shots and angles, mise en scene, editing and sound. The Ring is an American psychological horror based around the viewing of a video tape which is said to curse people who watch it.

Camera Shots and Angles

• One of the first shots to be used is a close up on one of the characters who is talking about something fairly serious (the curse of the tape). By having a close up shot of her, it emphasises the serious and somewhat stern expression which could already put fear into the audience as this already shows there is something to be concerned about.
• Another close up used is of the hand reaching out for the door handle. Although it is a short shot, this immediately builds tension into the viewer as it can leave them wanting to know what was behind the door and why it was such a prominent part to the trailer. Closed doors can often create fear and suspense as you can never be sure of what is going to be behind it.
• Zooms are used onto the phone and the video tape which shows that they are two main components of the film and accentuates how important they are. It lets the audience know what they should be looking out for.
• Various other close-ups are used for facial expression and props. This helps to create fear in the audience.

Mise en Scene

There are various different elements of the mise en scene which are important within this trailer as follows:

• Firstly, most of the locations and settings used, seem to be pretty isolated - this can represent the characters' isolation, especially those who have seen the tape and can suggest they are now on their own - no one can help them, they are now fully isolated.
• Next, the costume; throughout the trailer the main character, the womans costume seems to change from fairly smart casual, to completely scruffy, and messy. There is even a shot of her in what looks to be an dirty hospital gown. This suggests that she becomes increasingly shaken up and shows that she has been through quite a demanding time. This is also shown with her hair. It starts neat and tidy but in the last few shots of her, it is a lot more messy as if she hasn't done anything with it in a while - she has much more to deal with.
• The make up of all the actors is very pale throughout which helps to visually show the panic in the characters. A white face is also often symbolic of fear.
• The lighting throughout the trailer is kept very dull and subdued. Even scenes in daylight are dull and poorly lit, as if they are shot on a bad weathered day. There is no overuse of lighting, which keeps the trailer very eerie and mysterious.

Sound

• The music used within the trailer is mostly strings and piano which makes it all seem mysterious. But it also seems to be muffled to begin with which can create a feeling of uneasiness.
• At the beginning it starts off fairly slow and mellow, but as you get deeper into the trailer the music builds up and gets faster along with the pace of editing.
• Diagetic sound is used which can enhance parts of the film which are difficult to show visually. For example, the telephone ringing, the sounds on the tape, the young boy's drawing and more.
• Within the music it seems that there is a ticking sound which could be a clock, this could represent the time slowly ticking away.

Editing

• To begin with the editing is fairly slow but as the trailer progresses, the pace of editing increases as the audience become more hooked and aware of what is going on. It is also matched with the music and how it builds up.
• Random clips of the tape are shown throughout the trailer which makes the audience feel as if they know what the character's are seeing, and can understand their fear and confusion.
• The last part of the trailer is just a montage of clips taken from throughout the film in a random order which can subliminally make the viewer want to go see the film so they can put their mind at rest as to what was happening. It can also make them a little more scared especially at the last few seconds which will usually make the audience jump.