Section 2: RESEARCH INTO EXAMPLES OF COPARABLE MEDIA PRODUCTS (Shutter Island)

Shutter Island is directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley

Narrative StructureThe Narration is moved along by the dialogue of the characters. When the characters speak, usually they say something which helps to continue the story and plot. There is also captions to help set the scene



Thriller Codes and Conventions

• Mazes and Labyrinths - When Teddy and Chuck arrive on the island, they begin a huge search and it turns out almost like a labyrinth, the story twisting and turning until it completely baffles the audience.
• Partial Vision- The characters in the film all seem like they're hiding something, which is why, at the end of the film, it is such a shock when the audience discovers that Teddy is actually a mentally ill patient.
• Concealment- The actual outcome of the film is hidden and evidence that Teddy is actually a patient is hidden from the audience until the end.

Camera Work

• First Scene- Long shot of a boat appearing through the mist.
• Second Scene- Medium Long shot of Teddy throwing up in the sink and then a mid shot of him looking in the mirror at himself and finally a close up of him looking out of the window at a side angle
• Third Scene- Close up of Teddy, then a medium long shot of Chuck's back.
• Fourth Scene- Medium long shot of the two of them talking
• Fifth Scene- Extreme long shot of the island
• Sixth Scene- Zoomed into the docks, and then we see a direct cut to a medium long shot of Teddy and Chuck walking with the guards.
• Seventh Scene - Mid shot of a guard speaking and then Mid shots of guards holding guns.

Mis-En-Scene
It begins as a boat emerges from the mist with two people people visibly on it. It then cuts to a room with chains hanging from the ceiling, and a connecting bathroom, where someone in a long trench coat seems to be throwing up. He looks up to the mirror and he looks pale and ill. He turns around and holds his stomach, gasping for air before looking out of the port hole, before turning to throw up again.
He seems to steady himself and walks out into the room where the audiences can see chains connected to neck braces and handcuffs, which is foreshadowing to the end of the film, as this boat is most likely a prisoner holding boat.




He pulls on his coat and steps out of the room so he's on the bow of the boat, and he spots Chuck. He stumbles his way over and leans on the railings. He talks to chuck and we find out they are detective Marshals. They speak about Teddy's wife, and the audience sees a flashback playing in Teddy's mind. and then Chuck offers Teddy a cigarette.
The view changes to the actual island, and the audience is able to see how secluded it is, surrounded by water with no way to escape.
As the boat approaches the docks, the audience can see all the guards with guns and this effectively creates tension.

Sound
The music starts off quite eerie and tense, and it mixes in with the clanging of the chains and the rush of the sea, as this creates a stranger atmosphere. There is just dialogue for a few minutues until the marshals see the island, and immediately, the horns become louder and the music plays, effectively creating more tension.


Editing & Graphics
The movie goes straight into the opening credits, indicating that the director and editor wanted to get straight into the film without any cuts.
The amount of water also hints to the fact that it shows how secluded the island is, and how vulnerable Chuck and Teddy are.