JP: Analysis of the Opening Sequence of 'Shutter Island' (Scorsese, 2010)

Genre

Isolated Setting

The credits and title are all shown before the actual live action begins which is conventional of this genre of psychological horror and something to take into account during our production. Also, the typeface of the credits/title is simplistic and serious; setting the mood of the production and establishing the genre before showing the actual film. The location is isolated and the weather is very misty connoting the mystery and inability to escape.


Form and Style


This opening is relatively unique to the genre as it begins straight into the narrative with no montage or flashback for the audience to discover the social setting. This is effective, however, as it creates a tense atmosphere with a sense of unknowing; ultimately serving to put the audience at an unease and leave them unprepared for the possible jump scares. Contrary to this, the title is a reference to the novel the film is based off and as a result may put some audience members at ease who have a knowledge of the narrative especially as it is shown before the live action begins.


Film Language


Mise-en-scene

The costumes worn by the characters both connote their detective status and convey the time period to be mid-1900s. Also, in terms of non-verbal language, the protagonist maintains a distressed facial expression and private body language connoting his untrusting nature and possible dark secrets. The fact that the sequence is set on a lone boat with no other people than the prevalent characters conveys the helpless situation they are in.

Camera

CUs used extensively on the protagonist

In this extract there is an extensive use of CUs to convey the isolation and confinement of the situation the characters are in; specifically the BCU at the start on the protagonist's face which also serves to identify the audience with the character. During the conversation, the 180 degree rule is utilised and reaction shots are used rather than focusing the camera on just the character that is talking.

Sound

The low dynamic level of non-diegetic sound at the start gives it a presense but doesn't draw attention from the diegetic dialogue. The helps the audience to establish a empathetic connection to the protagonist and means when horror occurs surrounding the character the audience are more scared for the protagonist. However, it also creates a sense of instability due to the mysterious sounding timbre of the instruments used. This is contrasted with the later use of a pedal note on a brass instrument with a high dynamic level.

Editing

The cutting rate is relatively slow throughout the entire opening sequence to display the slow, tense movement of the narrative and to contrast to later scenes where it is much faster during action filled shots and jump scares. Additionally, prevalence is given to the protagonist from the start and helps centre the narrative around him; as well as allowing the audience to empathise with him.


Narrative


The narrative context throughout the opening sequence is ambiguous with no clear establishment apart from a slight insight into the character's background through the dialogue. The dialogue itself consists of themes of murder and crime delivered with a serious tone and unnerved expression.

Representation & Ideology

White, male authority figures

The extract as a whole embodies the residual ideology of the patriarchal society as both characters, including the protagonist, that are introduced are male in a position of authority (i.e. police detectives). In addition to this, the representation of ethnicity is towards white people being in the authoritive postion as no ethnic minorites are features in the opening sequence.

Media Audiences


The target audience likely the core horror audience of males aged 15-24. However, due to the fact the film is based off of a novel the film maker may hope to attract fans of the story and additionally those of an older generation due to the setting. Also, the casting of the A-lister (Leonardo DiCaprio) means his fans may want to view the film simply because he is starring in it.

Inspiration to Take from This

• Show all the titles/credits pre-live action and use a simplistic yet unnerving typeface.
• Establish a backstory to the protagonist/antagonist through either narrative (dialogue) means or visual.
• Use non-diegetic sound (or the lack of it!) to build and maintain tension/suspense.
• Use a slow cutting rate / long shots for suspenseful effect.
• Establish a connection with the protagonist/antagonist through giving prevalence to them, using a lot of CUs on their face and placing them in a confinded, solitary location.