Centre No. 14109 - Rebecca Holloway 7279 - Danielle Blasse 7010 - Cloe Pace-Soler 7352 - Natasha Welch 7399

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Psychological Horror Deconstruction 'Shutter Island'

Point 1 - Beginning of dream scene
Camera Angles
Begins with a two shot of the couple facing each other while Dolores is holding an object in her right hand. Following this there is a medium shot of Dolores with her hand in the same position but holding nothing. There is then a close up of her face as she looks down, then jumps to Teddy's face, zooming in to a close up. There is then dialogue between the characters switching between close ups. Pan movement shortly followed by a track movement follows Dolores as she walks across the room to the window. When she stops a medium shot is used. A close up of Teddy's face shows his head move to face her, and then an over the shoulder shot (from in front of Dolores) to show a close up of her face, while Teddy is blurred in the background. This could highlight is feeling of separation from her in the scene. A jump cut is then used to disorientate the viewer and Teddy, as Dolores is suddenly facing. A medium shot of her back is used to show her slowly burning. 
Editing
Visual effects are used in this scene, such as the blood and Dolores back slowly burning, plus the scraps falling from the ceiling. The scene is quite disjointed because before the jump cut  we see Dolores standing still, yet we hear her voice talking to Teddy. The jump cut makes it quite disorientating. 
Sound
The non-diegetic sound in this clip features string instruments as part of the sound track, the notes are long and drawn out, and fairly low. The diegetic sound in this scene consists of the sounds of birds and wildlife outside the window, including the sounds of crickets. Also a faint burning sound can be heard when Dolores' back is revealed. 
Mise en Scene
Dolores' yellow dress would give the impression that she is quite happy, however the green and red print on it suggest that she is in danger and is perhaps corrupted or ill. There are lots of diagonal lines in the opening of this scene, from the edges of the mirror to the roof of the building outside the window. These are always placed in shot with Dolores or behind in shot suggesting something is not quite right about her. However there are also lots of vertical lines in the shot showing that they are both emotionally quite strong. 
Point 2 - Let Me Go
Camera Angles
Close up of both their hands on Dolores' stomach as she begins to bleed, after this the camera zoom in to a medium shot of them both which turns into a close up of them. Establishing shots are then used to show different objects around the room from a table with a telephone on it, to a mantle piece. There is also a shot of a lamp and sofa, during which the colour of the scraps falling down slowly turn to black. Another establishing shot shows the couple in the middle of the room (slightly to the right) and Dolores in a pool of blood. Close ups and a zoom into their faces to show their intimacy continue until Dolores turns to ashes where a medium shot is used. 
Editing
Again visual effects are used to show the scraps falling from the ceiling and their change in colour as Dolores' death approaches. In addition to this, visual effects are used when she finally turns to ashes in Teddy's hands. 
Sound
The low, long notes continue in the second half of the scene and they slowly quicken in pace as Dolores' death approaches. Burning can be heard all the way through this part of the scene (diegetic sound) and the sound of dust is heard as Dolore's turns to ashes. 
Mise en Scene
The increased amount of scraps which begin to fall and change colour to black show that there is suffering in this scene, and that it increases as the scene goes on. Also, the blood which appears on Dolores' dress shows that it is fresh from the bright colour but also suggests death. It highlights how vulnerable she becomes in the scene. Teddy is therefore almost protecting her, which can also be found in his clothes, as he is wearing a brown jacket, it also highlights his strength. 
Point 3 - "Put them at the table..."
Camera Angles
A point of view shot is used at the beginning of this scene to show that Teddy is looking at the three children. An over the shoulder shot is then used to show a close up of his face, this could also be a reaction shot to seeing the children laying on the grass. A series of reverse shots are then used to show the dialogue between the two characters. An extreme close up shot of Dolores' hand is then shown rubbing Teddy's chest as she becomes very emotional. 
Editing
Continuity editing is used in this scene as the dialogue progresses, and an eye - line match is used between the characters as we keep seeing their perspective on one another, as they are engaged in a conversation. 
Sound
The non-diegetic sound in this scene is made up of low notes with a high, minor piano note played at a certain interval. It is very sudden each time, making the scene very uneasy and showing something is wrong. 
Mise en Scene
In this scene Teddy is now not wearing his jacket showing he now has less strength than before, this is contrasted to Dolores still wearing the same yellow dress, however this could show cowardice as she keeps asking to be let go of, suggesting she is not capable of facing what is to come. The two little boys both have blue items of clothing showing that they are calm, and at peace. The little girl is wearing a pink dress, but it is slightly faded which means her femininity is reduced. One of her shoes is not being worn, suggesting some kind of struggle previously. 

Point 4 - Death
Camera Angles
To begin, a close up of Dolores' face is shown and this is a reaction shot to her being shot with the gun. We then see a close up of Teddy's face as he is distressed about what has just happened. The camera then slowly tilts downwards slightly so that we see Teddy touching the blood on Dolores where she has just been shot. An aerial shot is then used to show the four bodies lying on the grass and Teddy deeply distressed. A medium shot is then used showing the blood running across Dolores' body towards her neck.
Editing
Eye-line matches are used again to show the connection between the characters, plus the blood on Dolores' stomach is a visual effect to give the impression she has been shot. Continuity editing is used a lot throughout this scene. 
Sound
The diegetic sound in this part of the scene begins with the sound of a gunshot which is very unexpected and shocks the viewer. We then hear Teddy in distress over what has happened as Dolores' body can be heard falling to the floor. Again, throughout this part of the scene there are uneasy minor notes played on the piano at certain intervals which make the scene fairly sinister. 
Mise en Scene
We see a very emotional few moments in this scene showing the intimacy of the relationship between Dolores and Teddy. We then see Teddy in profile showing he is not interested in the outside world and is focused purely on Dolores. The bright red blood stain shows that the wound is fresh and also highlights danger and death. The grass is a fairly dull green showing that any luck is now gone, and creates a bridge between itself and the print on Dolores' dress, possibly showing corruption of her and illness in some way. 

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