As the production credits begin, the non-diagetic opening soundtrack begins to play, it omits dark ominous tones and conjures feelings of tension and nervousness. The sinister soundtrack accompanied by a black background with relatively large, block capital font has a similar effect on the audience, and reminds me of older cinematography, the age of fantastical blockbusters, famed for their classical appeal. The scene is then set, as we are given the location and date, which works as an establishing technique ''Boston Harbour Islands, 1954''. Instantly we are thrust in the midst of an almost dirty, grey mist, which immediately builds tension, as the audience wonder what lies within the mist and it begins to force the viewers to ask rhetorical questions, this is a key factor of any thriller, as questions must be evident throughout, else the director runs the risk of losing the thriller certificate. The non-diagetic music seems to cease, and gives way to ambient sea sounds of crashing waves, as a giant structure is thrust through the fog into the shot, seemingly struggling to claw its way through the diverse conditions.
Immediately following this, there is a quick cut to what we assume is inside the boat, and the diagetic sounds of a man vomiting, the lighting is relatively dark and the facilities on board are lacking somewhat. The sick man, gives connotations that he is in fact sea sick, giving us our first insight on our main protagonist 'Teddy Daniels'. We are then drawn to a shot of a mirror, we then see 'Teddy' stand up straight and address himself through the mirror, as we gaze upon his face, we see him looking rather tired and ill looking, denoting to the audience that this man is indeed going through a tough time. The over the shoulder shot, shows his facial features in detail and relatively bright in contrast to his surroundings. The first dialect of the film is employed by the main character, denoting that this man is perhaps not at ease, ''Pull yourself together Teddy, pull yourself together'' this informs the viewers of the protagonists name and also gives us a clue as to where he is from, enunciating a clear east american accent. The camera then cuts to the side of Teddy and we discover he has a holstered gun at his waist, forcing the audience to ask even more questions, such as 'Who is this man?'. Although, this is soon answered as he turns to face the camera and grasps a police detectives badge. He then continues to splash his face, perhaps in order to shock him out of this sea sickness. The camera begins to track him, as he passes through the vessel and ventures out on to the deck, as he moves through the iron rooms, old fashioned shackles dangle from the ceiling enforcing the idea of a historical time period. A point of view shot denotes the presence of another figure, dressed similarly, connoting that this man is also a detective. The camera then cuts back to 'Teddys' face, whom has a look of puzzlement, and seems somewhat unsure of this other figure. A conversation then ensues and which gives the audience an insight into the lives of our two characters, the dialogue is supported by shot-reverse-shot, we discover that the two men do not actually know each other, this is connoted by clever acting as both men are awkwardly standing occasionally avoiding eye contact, this is also denoted by the conversation as 'Teddy' says ''So you're my new partner?''.
The next shot cuts to a past memory of Teddy's, showing him and a young woman. They are intimately shot with close ups and medium shots, they are both caressing, as we are drawn attention to a tie, that we begin to believe has some significance as he is not only wearing it in this memory, but he is also wearing it in the present. Quickly, the camera cuts to the sea water, being disturbed by the boats movement, and loud diagetic sounds of water displacement is heard, acting as a shock factor, shocking the audience, and also Teddy out of this day dream state. We are then shown a close up of Teddy, as he resoundingly says "she died". The audience is beginning to form an attachment to our main protagonist and this fact makes the viewer sympathise with Teddy and begin to wonder how it was she passed away.
Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' is an incredible piece of cinematography from start to finish, with complex plot lines enjoyable even after multiple viewings. Sound is especially important within the film, as it gives another aspect or dimension to create the majority of the suspense throughout.
Immediately following this, there is a quick cut to what we assume is inside the boat, and the diagetic sounds of a man vomiting, the lighting is relatively dark and the facilities on board are lacking somewhat. The sick man, gives connotations that he is in fact sea sick, giving us our first insight on our main protagonist 'Teddy Daniels'. We are then drawn to a shot of a mirror, we then see 'Teddy' stand up straight and address himself through the mirror, as we gaze upon his face, we see him looking rather tired and ill looking, denoting to the audience that this man is indeed going through a tough time. The over the shoulder shot, shows his facial features in detail and relatively bright in contrast to his surroundings. The first dialect of the film is employed by the main character, denoting that this man is perhaps not at ease, ''Pull yourself together Teddy, pull yourself together'' this informs the viewers of the protagonists name and also gives us a clue as to where he is from, enunciating a clear east american accent. The camera then cuts to the side of Teddy and we discover he has a holstered gun at his waist, forcing the audience to ask even more questions, such as 'Who is this man?'. Although, this is soon answered as he turns to face the camera and grasps a police detectives badge. He then continues to splash his face, perhaps in order to shock him out of this sea sickness. The camera begins to track him, as he passes through the vessel and ventures out on to the deck, as he moves through the iron rooms, old fashioned shackles dangle from the ceiling enforcing the idea of a historical time period. A point of view shot denotes the presence of another figure, dressed similarly, connoting that this man is also a detective. The camera then cuts back to 'Teddys' face, whom has a look of puzzlement, and seems somewhat unsure of this other figure. A conversation then ensues and which gives the audience an insight into the lives of our two characters, the dialogue is supported by shot-reverse-shot, we discover that the two men do not actually know each other, this is connoted by clever acting as both men are awkwardly standing occasionally avoiding eye contact, this is also denoted by the conversation as 'Teddy' says ''So you're my new partner?''.
The next shot cuts to a past memory of Teddy's, showing him and a young woman. They are intimately shot with close ups and medium shots, they are both caressing, as we are drawn attention to a tie, that we begin to believe has some significance as he is not only wearing it in this memory, but he is also wearing it in the present. Quickly, the camera cuts to the sea water, being disturbed by the boats movement, and loud diagetic sounds of water displacement is heard, acting as a shock factor, shocking the audience, and also Teddy out of this day dream state. We are then shown a close up of Teddy, as he resoundingly says "she died". The audience is beginning to form an attachment to our main protagonist and this fact makes the viewer sympathise with Teddy and begin to wonder how it was she passed away.
Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' is an incredible piece of cinematography from start to finish, with complex plot lines enjoyable even after multiple viewings. Sound is especially important within the film, as it gives another aspect or dimension to create the majority of the suspense throughout.
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