Advanced Analysis: Shutter Island

I am going to split this post into two parts, the first part is going to be a textual analysis of the opening sequence of this film, the second is going to be how this film relates to the conventions of the thriller genre.

Shutter Island is a heart pounding mystery directed by Martin Scorsese. It is about a US Marshal named Teddy Daniels played by Leonardo Di Caprio who is investigating the disappearance of a murderous women who has escaped from the mental hospital on shutter island. It is presumed that she is still hiding on the island somewhere and it is up to the marshals to find her. The film uses many different elements with mise-en-scene, editing, cinematography, sound and also some good acting skills from the cast members such as Leonardo Di Caprio who is famous for his acting. These acting skills make the plot more believable and make the audience feel that they are actually witnessing a real life situation which adds more tension to the film as the audience feel that this is something which could actually happen.

There is a variety of camera techniques in this film,  especially with camera shots from extreme close-ups to very long shots to make it easier to follow the plot and make it more interesting. The long shots and extreme long shots used in the opening have been used to introduce scenery and disguise the antagonists. For example, the first long shot used in the opening sequence is when the boat comes into view in the ocean tells us that the scene is going to be based on a boat. The long shot of the island a few shots after this is telling us that the next scene in the film will be on the island especially as the shot of the island is a point of view shot. We can tell that this is a point of view shot by the following shot where there is an eye-line match with the characters looking towards the island. The distance of shot is used to hide the antagonists faces so the audience are more anxious about the antagonists as we do not know who they are. However, the mise-en-scene of the costumes helps to identify that they people are guards due to their uniform. They are also dressed in black which can portray darkness so the colour is used in this scene to provide the audience with an insight as to what the characteristics of these guards might be within their role in the film. In the shot of the guards standing on the pier the camera slowly zooms into the pier and the guards, making the audience feel like they are actually there on the boat. It helps to create tension as they get closer to these evil people.

The extreme close ups and close ups  are mainly used to focus the audiecnes attention on a character and show more detail of the characters facial expressions to emphasize the emotions of these characters in a clear and concise manner, it also helps to increase the verisimilitude of the scene by making it more believable for the audience. There are many close ups used, for example when looks out to the water through the window you can see that fear is etched across his face. There is also an effective shot where the director has shot from the sink towards the main characters face, this corresponds with when his hands go up to his face. It almost makes the audience feel like they are the reflection. We get drawn closer into the story when a direct address is used when he looks back at the mirror to make us feel involved with this story. A third shot is using close ups is when he has a flashback about his wife, there is a close up of his wife and then a close up of the ocean , it then cuts to a close up of his wifes face again. This suggests that something about her story was linked to water since there is dialogue after that saying ‘she died’ straight after the shot of the water. They use close ups on props to show the props significance within the film. This makes the audience wonder about what this might be.

In the editing of this film there is a great choice of font, transitions and techniques to make this film flow seamlessly and also it addresses the macro elements through the use of micro elements in a good method. The font is big, bold and has a military look to it. This reflects the narrative well because we find out later in the film that the main character has been involved in war and is also involved with the army. The font also has shadows cast across it at the top to create an uneasy atmosphere within the audience (addresses a common fear of darkness). After that font, there is another part which tells us “Boston Harbour Islands 1954”. This already tells us where the scene is set and also at what era the film is set in thus providing the audience with more information about the narrative of the film. The main transition used in the opening sequence is a fade in and out/dissolve. These transitions have been used to make a smooth link between the credits to the actual scenes. It also builds tension as the fade transitions look like shadows introducing or ending a scene or body of text. This again plays on the common fear of darkness to make the audience nervous. Other techniques have been used as such as blur, jump cut, shot reverse shot, and match on action. These four techniques help the audience to follow the narrative and make the film more interesting  for the audience. The first technique I am going to address is blur, this is used to take away focus of objects surrounding the main character causing the audience to focus directly onto him. It is also used to show when the scene is a flashback as opposed to something in the current era. The jump cut is used between the boat slowly getting closer to the island to the actual dock. This is used to save time and it also helps to keep the audience interested in the film at all ties. The shot reverse shot is used to keep the audience focused on a piece of dialogue between two characters. It also allows you to appreciate most of the mise en scene while they are talking to let the audience know exactly where they are. Finally the match on action is used to make a variety of shots more interesting for the audience. A constant shot would disengage the audience however the match on action helps to make the plot more believable because it makes the action a continuous event.

The mise-en –scene of the opening sequence and also throughout the film are used to set the location, era and also to create tension. Except for the text used in the beginning to tell the audience what era the film is set in, the costumes and props also provide with information about the period of the film which is set in the 50s. Obviously, we know we are set in an ocean on a bot because of the design of the set (the chains, The round window and the railings) and obviously the location of the filming which is predominately in the ocean. The costumes and props match the 1950s genre. The costume at the beginning is a business suit with a bowler hat which was a popular piece of fashion from that time period. This style is very stereotypical of what the mafia/gangs would wear. The props such as the record player  also were used a lot in the 50’s as CD players and stereos had not been invented by then. Also the props as such as the sharp hooks hanging off the ceiling of the boat build tensions because sharp objects such as these can pierce human flesh. They need to be handled carefully as they could hurt someone. Another thing that adds tension is the use of the red colour with the buildings on the island and the red nail polish on the characters wife. The use of red with these objects tells us that there is danger ahead of them on the island and it also tells us that the wife is dangerous. Finally the lighting used in the film casts shadows there is also dull lighting used to show that there is a storm coming. This makes the audience feels anxious as it makes them feel like something bad is going to happen.

Lastly, the sound and music in the opening sequence uses industril and classical music, as well as many sound effects and techniques to tell the audience what is happening.  The minor, orchestral and classical music used make an eerie atmosphere which not only tells it’s a thriller (code and convention) but also builds the tension and tells us something bad is going to happen. For example the music starts as soon as we see the island (sound motif) so we know something is going to happen on the island. As well as this, the music also reflects the era of the film because classical music seems fancy to the audience just like the men of that time were.  Lastly, the sound effects used in the opening sequence are of the boat, the sea and also the thunder of the storm to make the audience feel as if we are actually there. In some cases the sound effects as such as the thunder make us fell more on edge because we feel like we are actually within that situation, its almost like we are sharing the characters experience. Also when the main character is having a flashback of his wife, there is a shot of the water just before the shot of his wife. This supports the shot of the sea to tell us that his wife died in some relation to the water.

The story of shutter island is one which is filled with false paths and other dead ends. These are used to keep the audience engaged at all times with the film. The US Marshal in this case are lead on many different routes throughout the film, clues which have been left by the antagonist however only at the very close of the film do we find the true meaning as to what has been happening. The protagonist is already threatened just by coming to the island due to the fact that there is a escaped prisoner on the loose who knows the island as opposed to the marshal who knows nothing about the island, the murder is immediately in the upper hand which makes the protagonist vulnerable.

The directors have used a full range of micro elements in this film to build up suspense. I thought sound worked well which used dramatic music to build up suspense in the scene. The increasing tiempo of some tracks along with the deeper sounding instruments helps to add a lot of tension into the scenes where they are used. I also think that the use of different shot distances also plays a vital part in showing the different emotions and tensions of the characters.

Questionnaire Result Graphs

Media Coursework Questionaire

Final Shot List

Editing

In this post i am going to be explaining the process of editing within media whilst providing examples of the different shots and processes within editing.

• Editing has been designed not to be noticed within media.
• There are two types of editing found in media:

1. Continuity
2. Montage

 Continuity Editing:

• Continuity editing relies upon matching screen direction, position, and temporal relations from shot to shot.
• Continuity editing is basically invisible editing.
• It is designed not to be noticed so it allows for a better suspension of disbelief.
• Continuity editing is based on two rules that, when used during a shoot set up shots, allow for the style of continuity editing to be applied.
• These two rules are:

1. 180 Degree Rule
2. 30 Degree Rule

180 Degree Rule:

•  This rule states that the camera should remain the same side of an imaginary line within the shot.
• The line will be drawn perpendicular to the the cameras viewpoint in the establishing shot of the scene.
• This rule is used to enforce the continuity of the film.

30 Degree Rule:

• The camera should only move 30 degrees in accordance with the 180 degree rule.
• This helps to piece together a large sequence of shots in harmony with each other.

Breaking The Rule:

• The two rules should never be broken.
• The only defence for breaking these rules is for "effect"

Motivated Cuts:

• There are several types of cuts that are motivated by the action on screen.
• These cuts are as follows:

1. Shot Reverse Shot
2. Eyeline Match
3. Match On Action
4. Graphic Match 

Shot Reverse Shot:

• A shot reverse shot is two or more shots edited together that alternate characters, it will typically be used in a conversation situation.
• Shot: A character talks or is being talked to.
• Reverse: We cut to the other character either talking or being talked to.
• Shot: Cuts back to the first shot

 Example:

•  A shot reverse shot and representation indicate thew relationship between two characters. It signifies something exaggerates their closeness, or their opposition.
• The amount of time given to a characters reaction shots can convey their status in the scene.

Eyeline Match:

• This is a cut motivated by a character looking at something. The succeeding shot is what he or she is looking at.
• Shot: We see a character looking at something.
• Cut To
• Shot:What he/she is looking at.

Example:

• An eyeline match usually provides an insight into a character thoughts.
• The characters eyeliner who is cut to the most is usually of higher status.

Match On Action:

• In a match on action the cut is motivated by a characters action in a way as to make time seem continuous.
• Shot: Action begins at one angle and shot distance.
• Cut To
• Shot: Action ends at another shot distance and angle.

Example:

Graphic Match:

• A graphic match creates a cut between two shots that juxtapose their graphically similar images.

Breaking The Rule:

• A jump cut occurs when the filmmakers deliberately break the rules of continuity, be it the 180 degree or 30 degree rule.
• Jump cuts are used of a specific effect usually to communicate jarring or fragmented atmosphere.

Example:

Addressing The Camera:

• The third major rule of continuity is that no actors/actresses look or address the camera.
• This is known as breaking the fourth wall.
• This can usually be used to comply a secret, confessional relationship between the character and the audience.

Example:

• Towards the end of the clip you will see that the actor speaks directly to the camera explaining what is happening.

Cross Cutting/Parallel Editing:

• Film makers will sometimes intercut different lines of action which gives the implication that the said line will eventually meet. This is known as cross cutting or parallel editing.
• This technique is often used to increase tension and suspense, especially in chase sequences, but may also be used to draw parallels between seemingly disparate events.

Example:

Juxtaposition:

• Although typically a narrative device, inter cutting can set up juxtaposition between parallel story lines, exaggerating the impact or meaning of each by highlighting a point of difference.

Tension:

• When intercutting is used to draw two storylines together, this can be structured to create tension, and therefore heighten the audiences identification with a particular character. 

Overlapping Editing:

• Cuts that repeat all or part of an action which expands its viewing time and plot duration.

Example:

• When watching this clip you will see that when the character fires a shot backwards he hits the windscreen of the bike behind him. The windscreen breaking is shown multiple times. This is overlapping editing.

Cutaway:

• In film and tv, a cutaway shot is the interruption of a continuously filmed action by inserting a view of something else.
• It is usually but not always followed by a cut back to the first shot, when the cutaway avoids a jump cut.

Example:

Long Take:

• Long takes occur when there are no cuts for a significant period of time.

Example:

• It is considered to make the sequence more absorbing and immersive, particularly when the camera is moving, If the camera is locked down then long takes can be uncomfortable for the spectator, forcing him/her to look at what’s on screen.

Transitions:

• Transitions occur when you mix the images.
• There are several types of transition:

1. Fade
2. Dissolve
3. Wipe
4. Split Screen

Fades:

• Fades occur when mixes into or out of a pure black shot.

Example:

• Fades are used to begin or end scenes, and films, like a full stop.
• They also connote a passage of time.

Wipes:

• Wipes occur when another shots wipes one shot off the screen.

Example:

• This is also used to connote the end of a scene and it also connotes a passage of time.
• Its an effect which is quite retro and is often used in a tongue in cheek, humorous way.

Dissolves:

• Dissolves occur when two images mix together.

Example:

• They are usually used to connote the transition into a characters mind, for example to signal a flashback or a dream sequence.
• They are also used to connote the passage of time.

Split Screen:

• When there are two or more shots on the screen simultaneously.

Example:

• This is also considered as retro.
• Can be used to emphasize parallels or contrasts between characters, or as an alternative to cross cutting.

Montage:

• Montage editing is the second style of editing.
• In pure terms, montage editing means the assembling of differing and disparate shots so as to assemble a meaning.
• In hollywood terms as it is used now, a montage sequence is a means by which a large amount of time and space can be concentrated by assembling shots in which many different things happen, it will usually be set to a soundtrack such as a song or voiceover.
• Montage sequences are used to quickly show the 'boring' bit of the narrative or just to show that a lot of time has passed.

Selection/Prevalence:

• This is what or who gets priority in the scene.
• If it is a character belonging to a particular social group, then it might be that he/she is of higher status.
• Who gets the most close ups?
• Who motivates the most cuts?
• The more one group is selected over another is often significant.

Organisation:

• Is the scene organised in such a way as to prioritise the actions of a specific character? if so why?
• It could be to encourage the audience to identify with a particular social group of higher status.
• Think about when a character gets close ups and how the timings may effect the representation.

Focus:

• Are there any elements included in the sequence that the viewer isn't encouraged to consider?
• Who/what are these neglected elements and how they inform representations of the elements onto which the focus has been in place?

How Editing Is Used - Rhythm And Pace:

• Editing is often used to regulate rhythm and pace of a sequence.
• Pace is determined by the frequency of the cuts and their length.

Film Speed:

Slow Motion:

1. Adds drama. 
2. Transition.
3. Emphasise the significance of an action.

Speeding Film Up:

1. Accelerate insignificant time.
2. For humorous effect/comedy.