Research: Shutter Island Opening

1. What does the set up reveal to the audience about setting?
   The first shot we get of the film is Teddy’s head halfway down a toilet. After this he walks out onto the deck of a ship. From this we can see that the are travelling to somewhere desolate or very hard to get to. Finally they give us a shot of an island covered in trees with only one way on and off. Proving it to be an island in the middle of nowhere, because of this we know that something very important is on the island. 
2. What does the set up reveal to the audience about characters?
   At the start, the first character you see is Teddy, this makes you feel that his is of a large importance to the film. This is then established as true because he then goes out to see his new coworker who addresses him as ‘The great Teddy Daniels’ and asks ‘you okay boss’ from this we can see that Teddy holds a great deal of power in the world of which he world. Although you also get the feeling his isn’t telling the truth about what happened to his wife/girlfriend because when he says she died in a fire it cuts to a shot of the water (which also can explain his unease at being out at sea). 
3. What does the set up reveal to the audience about interrelationships between characters?
   At first from the mannerisms of the two agents, you feel, even though they are new to working together that they will be professional and work well together. However when Teddy and his co-worker are asked to surrender their weapons Teddy does so in a quick and easy fashion unlike his coworker who fumbles. Making us feel that Teddy is who he says he is whereas his coworker is not.
4. What is this ‘world’ like?
   From the set up we can see the ‘world’ is not safe. This is shown buy the eerie music that is played as the boat gets closer and closer to the island. However it suddenly hits a crescendo. This adds to the sense of panic and fear. There is juxtaposed feelings on both the boat, where everything seemed calm. And the island, everything is tensed and gives a sense of panic. This is convincing enough when the guards are brandishing their guns as if they have been told to not trust anyone and everybody is a suspect, even the marshals. Which shows this ‘world’ is not safe and to get out as soon as possible 
5. What possible conflicts or strains are there that will become part of the story later on?
   A possible conflict or strain is that Teddy and his partner have never worked together before, therefore they do not know what they are going to be like or how they work. This is shown when Teddy’s partner asks him if he has a ‘girl’ this shows particular strain as Teddy is forced to remember something he doesn’t want to remember showing that his partner doesn’t know his backstory therefore could ask some question which could effect how Teddy works and acts around him.
6. How does this film opening fit with the codes and conventions of Thriller films?
   This film fits perfectly with the codes and conventions of a Thriller in many ways. Firstly it has many unanswered questions that the audience wants to be answer, for example What really happened to Teddy’s girl? Why cant the Marshal take off his gun easily? Who is the woman who puts her finger to her lips? All these questions make the audience confused but make them keep watching. Also the use of suspense and tension is a key code and convention, this is shown when all the guards of the island hold their guns close to them as though they are fearing the marshals or do not trust them. The use of Camera, Sound, Mise en Scene and Editing are all used to create the atmosphere and tension specific to a Thriller film. Flash backs are common in Thriller films and it is used here to flash back to Teddy’s past and his ‘girl’ although it doesn’t really give us much information. Therefore the films opening fits well with the common codes and conventions of Thrillers.