Research - Shutter Island opening sequence analysis - Task B

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller directed my Martin Scorsese. It was released in 2010 and stars Leonardo Di Caprio as the main protagonist who plays Edward "Teddy" Daniels, a US Marshal travelling to a remote island which houses a Hospital for the criminally insane and he is investigating the disappearance of a patient. 

In the opening sequence many different conventions are used right from the start.There are many conventions of a thriller that is inc luded in the opening title sequence of the film. The opening starts playing  non-diegetic eerie music which adds suspense, this goes along with the dark and creepy shots that are being showcased. All of this is already putting the viewer on the edge of their seat by immersing them completely in a sense of mystery. Suspense is also being constantly increased by the rising and decreasing volume generating. 

Dark colours are also used throughout the opening sequence with lighting being used scarcely and with not much backlight this is to add to the creepiness that partners well with the sound and the setting. In the shot you can clearly see that it is set in what looks like a medieval prison. Aside from the bricks and lighting it could very well be a medieval prison and the bricks also add to the already present trapped feeling that is being created.  

A tracking shot is used at 0:17 that moves through the large gates as if you were a prisoner having to look upon the daunting walls and gates that are used to ensure the prisoners don't escape. A lot of fast paced cuts are also used to a variety of different close ups which help add to the mystery of what is going on because none of them fully showcase what is occurring. For example between 0:13 and 0:17 it appears as though a hand is lifting up some of the floorboard to perhaps reveal a secret entrance, however it is hard to tell. Also at 0:50 another hand is shown lighting a match and these very well may be the same pair of hands but again we don't know so the audience are wanting to find out what is going on. 

There is then also a long establishing shot at 0:10 to make the surroundings a lot more clear to the audience and to really showcase that this could potentially be a large prison which may add to the fear that is already being built up. A fade to black is then used to edit away from that shot which also adds to the build up of tension and is done on the rise and fall of the music.