Shutter Island - Alicia

Camerawork

• The sequence begins with an extreme long shot of a boat approaching from a foggy horizon. The boat is central within the frame which indicates the focus of the scene to the spectator.
• Focus pulls are used mostly in the interior of the boat to show the random chains in focus before focusing in on the central character. This distorts the viewing from the spectator as it could cause them to believe the chains had any relevance to the scene and could create suspense as chains can be used as weapons etc. However this isn’t the case but is a good technique to intrigue the audience further.
Mise en scene
• Pathetic fallacy is already created as the grey fog gives a grim, bleak atmosphere to the scene.
• In the interior setting of the boat, there are relatable props appropriate to the setting such as chains, ropes, cogs etc. Although this is all relevant to the scene, the low key lighting and shadowing effect gives an eerie sense of alienation from reality which already sets the mood for the proceeding opening.
• The central character’s facial expressions rarely change throughout this sequence as it constantly shows illness, anxiety, pain etc. throughout the footage.
Editing
• Continuity editing is succeeded as the shots flow from one another. The footage of the central character being sick in the sink is edited together as fast cuts as to not show too much detail but to get the point across.
• Shot reverse shot is used to distinguish the point of view from both characters. However, the dialogue is mostly shown through a two shot in order to aid viewer understanding through the observation of the environment also i.e. the wider framing includes some of the boat and sea.
Sound
• Before any image appears, the splashing of waves is played over a blacked out shot before fading into the first shot of the sea. The diegetic sound gives the impression that the first scene is based at sea in order to intrigue the audience.
• The sound of a fog horn has been interpreted into the non-diegetic music played over the footage. The music is parallel as it again relates to the scene’s atmosphere and context.
• This music is played throughout the opening sequence which gives an edge of suspense through the dialogue of the two characters.
• The rattling of the chains in the interior setting adds to the eerie effect in the atmosphere as they echo mildly and sound isolated.