This document provides a summary and analysis of different shots from the film Shutter Island. It analyzes 9 different shots using descriptions of camera angles, lighting, colors, characters, and how they relate to the psychological thriller genre. Key details that establish the setting and tone include dull, dreary lighting; stormy skies; characters in a mental hospital in period costumes; and shots that create suspense, fear, and feelings of being trapped or confined.

1. Shutter Island
By Rebecca Clarke

2. This extreme wide shot is used to show the setting in which
the film takes place. From the lighting used we assume it is
not a nice place as it is dull and lifeless. The sky is darker on
one side to show the storm over casting the island, this links
to the suspense filled atmosphere created by the opening.

3. This wide shot of three characters walking towards the camera
is often used in action films, the use of it in this film shows the
characters dress and the time era it is set in. Police officers and
Marshalls are usually associated with crime or action genres but
this challenges the typical thriller conventions of a psychological
thriller. Natural lighting is used in this shot to show a realistic
location of the film.

4. This mid shot of the character also looking directly into the
camera makes the audience feel they too are in the scene. From
the characters costume we can see she is in a mental hospital as
she is hand cuffed and her appearance is frightening. This links
to the genre ‘psychological thriller’ and of our stereotypes.
Lighting in this scene is natural.

5. The medium shot of the character behind the bars shows that
he is captured. The character is looking into the camera
making the audience feel as if they are in the film. In this show
low key lighting is used to create a tense atmosphere.

6. This high angle shot shows the main character walking
through the rain. Rain is often associated with thriller genres
as it portrays sadness and fear emotions in which as an
audience we feel. The lighting in this shot is very low key
making it hard to see the characters movement.

7. This eye level close up of the book implies a sudden meaning
as ‘run’ is a powerful word and links to the thriller genre. The
colour of this shot is dull and the focus is just on the book so
that the audience clearly see the word.

8. This low level shot shows contrasts between the colours black
and white. The characters are positioned in the middle and
look as if they are looking for something, this creates
suspense upon the audience.

9. This medium shot is different to the others as it is colourful and
has a more softer tone to the lighting. This shot shows more to
the genre of the film as the character is psychologically
dreaming of this.

10. The font of the film used is strong as if it had been typed, this
could link to the film narrative. The colour is the same as the
storm creating an metallic feel to show strength. The font also
looks like it has been scratched away showing erosion and the
spacing between the two words are close showing personal
emotions within the film narrative.