Shutter Island The opening sequence starts with a

Shutter Island

The opening sequence starts with a slow fade in from the black of an empty corridor. Also the Audience are identified that this particular film is directed by “Martin Scorsese” whom all directed other thriller films such as the Good Fellas and Taxi Driver. This is joined by eerie music, building up tension perhaps hinting something bad is about to happen.

The next change of scene quickly fades into a 360 degree pan of a spiral staircase that is moving at a fast pace, this could familiarise the audience with being hypnotised – with this particular disorientation due to it’s fast pace. Convincing the audience that they’re going to be trapped. I think it’s also important to consider that the opening credit are in a sharp font and the colour red, the colour red is normally associate with danger. Which is a convention in thriller films.

With a cut to an extreme long shot of a gate opening and the camera on a track move towards the gate as if it’s walking through. This is almost a POV shot and this gives the audience a better sense of what is happening. This shot completely contrast with the other shots and in some what way doesn’t allow the audience adjust to what is happening. Also this setting could be vital for the rest of the film.

Then fading into another shot, but this time of a fire (danger). I think it’s also important to notice that the cast name appear in white instead of red. This contrast more with the background and builds up more suspense.

We are then shown to a dark sky with snow falling. The snow and the sky contrast with the titles in white. The contrast is still very high in this scene. The snow is still highly visible which gives that uncertainty to the audience. This doesn’t necessarily follow the conventions of a thriller as it doesn’t make sense and weren’t introduced to a protagonist.

It is then complete darkness and then we have a close up shot of the hand, which is lighting a match which gives a little burst of light to the scene before it cuts to darkness again. By the cuts being short this is forcing the audience to think however not enough time to let the audience catch on to what is actually happening.

The final cut, is an establishing shot of an island that looks extremely gloomy. Then it suddenly cuts to complete darkness and then the titles comes up. The music in the opening scene is the only heard sound however sounding quite sinister like. The music is a key convention this thriller films and makes them feel as if something is building up and something is happening. Also important to notice how the colour has gone back to red maybe symbolising death and blood is coming.