Apple Pro Training: Lesson 3

Ok, well I have completed lesson 3 and I am still doing ok. Ha ha, I previewed the next lesson (4) and whew, think I might have to take a break before I begin that hefty chapter.

Apple Pro Training: Lessons 1 and 2

Ok, I was able to get through the fist two lessons of the DVD apple pro series, they weren't that bad. In fact, much better and easier to understand than after effetcs.

The Ring

Today I am looking at the DVD menu for the hit thriller “The Ring.” A scary movie designed to frighten and stimulate the mind. The menu is the beginning of a wonderful movie put together, in my opinion, rather masterfully.

The entire movie plays on the idea of a haunted video due to the hate of a young girl who was murdered years before anyone ever laid his or her hands on it.

The menu quality reflects that of a very old film, from back in the black and white days. There is constant movement of both the background (of which various small scenes play) and the menu options. These menu options are in black and very small type; one can hardly see them when some of the scenes are playing. Looking in the background there is mostly just a scene with a chair in the middle, a black and white shadowy scene where the menu options can be seen clearly. Occasionally and very quickly something else will pop up and play in the background, for example, a burning tree, which also displays a small amount of color in the flames. Most of the scenes are only black and white, there are very few that display a small amount of color.

All of the scenes and the feel of the menu really gets the mood set for the movie. You get a sense of creepiness and mystery hidden in the movie you are soon to watch.

There is little music, basically the sounds are randomness of bees buzzing, or someone speaking very quietly (this is difficult to make out), it gets louder and busier as the menu plays on and then suddenly quiets before starting back up again. The music tone is very scary and low, and then it too gets louder and more frantic. This is very hard to explain, but I feel as though something bad is going to happen right then and there, I know this movie is serious and dark simply from listening to the music, I even begin to feel a little scared. I believe this to be the desired effect the creator was going for, the menu does an amazing job at reflecting the movie to come.