The opening of Shutter Island - 510 words

The opening is of an extreme long shot of the ship emerging from thick mist this creates mystery using traditional thriller aspects. The use of dark colours adds to the mystery. The audio which I would justify is diegetic is of a ship creaking heavily and a low ships horn accompanies it this in effect sets the scene as mysterious and applies to the traditional thriller conventions. A straight-cut shot cuts to the next scene of a person leaning over a sink we do not see the persons face yet this in addition to the fact he is heaving into the sink in the dark keeps the audience questioning and keep them watching. The shot also included black rusted chains swinging and clashing, this created questions and images in the audiences minds what were the chains used for? Thrillers usually consist of using chains for torture or to be tied up or locked away and which in effect leads to death. The audience are now wondering what is going to happen to this person or what is this person going to do to others?

We are then introduced to the character he calls himself “Teddy” and by the way he is being sick isn’t used to travelling on boats as it causes his seasickness this sets an air of mystery as the audience wonder where is he going, knowing he gets seasick? Teddy is wearing a dark coloured costume which is almost uniformed with a belt around his hips which prominently holds a gun. The audience’s first impression is that he looks similar to a detective character so could be seen as the good guy/hero within the story. An effective zooming in shot from some hanging chains, hooks and handcuffs towards Teddy this makes his character look vulnerable. The chains, hooks and handcuffs all link to entrapment, torture and most importantly danger. As the shots move on the ships diegetic groaning grows louder gradually. The weather outside is dark with heavy dark clouds this is a typical thriller convention “bad weather” it sets the scene that this place he is travelling to is not good news. The island it’s self is isolated in the middle of no-where surrounded by deep rocky water and large sharp rocks with what looks like one entrance to the island. The island itself is covered in tree’s and greenery which could mean if you tried to escape or run you would most likely get lost and end up running around in circles. An extreme long shot is used to show the full scale of how daunting the island is, with a heavy storm above and strong winds and the sea crashing against all the rocks below this in effect creates a danger atmosphere and immediately tells the audience that the island is not a good place. At the dock and all the roads surrounding is covered in police and guards this alerts the audience that something isn’t right and sets more questions in their heads.. why are the police there? Why is there so many?