Set Design Thoughts ~ Ringu

If I were to look at this screenplay through the eyes of a set designer, I would give the objects that appear in all caps more presence in the scenes they are portrayed in. Above all else, these must be the things most viewers should be able to identify in the scenes. Such as in the beginning of the screenplay when Tomoko hears a noise from living room, the script mentions the light given off from the TV, therefore the lighting would be built in a way that enhances the TV's presence on screen over the other objects in the room. The same goes for objects the actors interact with. They need to be distinguishable from the environment in which they are placed, but at the same time they need to look like they belong there.

As for the lighting of the screenplay, I would avoid bright and warm colors as I would want the viewer to remain somewhat on guard. This story is anything but happy, and it's important that the viewers would remember that. The lighting of a film can determine the mood of it, having bright a warms colors makes it more friendly and safe. While having darker and more grim colors increases the sinisterness too it. I would use a more evened out desaturated lighting, but I would make sure I'm not making the scene to dark either. The lighting I would use would give of a more ominous feeling.

Essentially, I would design the sets in the same way I would make an environment for Game Art. I would make sure the objects of note are easily discernible, and construct the lighting to make the viewer feel the way I want. I don't know too much about making films, so I would probably approach like I was making a game environment.