Tom's Media Portfolio
Shutter Island (15) Opening Analysis
Mise En Scene
The lighting in the scene is mostly low key, and when it isn't low key, it's either pale, bleak and dull, or has a lot of red colours twhich is a colour often used to connote danger. The scene's settings are old and worn, which is a stereotypical thriller setting due to it's abandoned and empty feel. There is also a prop of a gun, which is put in to further give connotations of danger that the red in the scene tries to show. The characters also wear formal costume, which gives more information to the setting, and presents incongruety between the jail cell and the character, which adds mystery as to why these settings and people are connected.
Camerawork
Most of the scenes involve a zoom which is used for disorientation to confuse and add fear to the viewer. The scene also changes between close ups and long shots. The long shots are used mainly for establishing shots to show the setting , and the close ups are used to put the viewer closer to the scene to help with relateability. There is a pan around a red chair which exposes a fireplace, which could be used to suggest hidden danger in the movie. The scene ends with an establishing shot of cliffs to show the broader area that the previous establishing shots took place in.
Soundtrack
The scene has no diegetic sound, and only a score, which is done to build atmosphere rather than story in the opening. The score is a minor key, orchestral score, which crescedos as the scene goes on, climaxing at the end with a large crescendo to a musical attack. This is used to build tension throughout the scene to build towards the climax. The orchestral instruments are quite bass-like, which connotes something evil happening.
Editing
There is a consistent overlay with various letters and numbers covering the screen, which adds distortion and confuses the viewer to add fear. The scene is also comprised entirely of long cuts so that the viewer can distinguish settings and events that would, presumably appear later in the film. Finally, there are only fades and disslves which link the settings together and builds a connection between the shots. Fades are usually accompanied by a crash in the music, which is done to keep suspense high. The only cut in the scene is between the final establishing shot and the title, which is done to seperate the title from the scene, and make it a climax.
