Research - Shutter Island Trailer Analysis

Shutter Island (2010)

107 shots

Length - 2:22

As the trailer progressed, the shots got faster and faster. There were also many shots which was all 1 shot but flashed many times. This fast pacing is key in creating tension.

Audience:

The audience for this film is 15+ as it contains violent and frightening scenes, however is targeted to both genders, of any class or nationality.

Star power is also used as Leonardo DiCaprio is a very well-known actor and people who may not be fans of thriller films, may still want to watch the film as it has an actor that the audience may like.

Right at the start of the trailer there is an establishing shot of a large island in the middle of the sea. This straight away shows the audience where the film is set. As it is in the middle of nowhere, it may make the audience question what is on the island, where it is and why it's so significant in the film.






This next shot is of another location. Even though at this point of the trailer, the shots are slow, it is the start of the building up of tension. There is a large building with big, black gates with security there. This may make the audience wonder why there is security there. An extreme long shot is used here in order to show the property. The positioning of the security is a lot closer to the camera as it makes it more apparent on what the main focal points of the shot are.





A long shot is shown of a man dragging another man away. It is a very brief shot, which is not very apparent but is still noticeable. This also creates a suspenseful atmosphere.








A long shot of a prisoner in a cell is used here. It gives clues to the narrative and implications are made that it s not just a regular prison. This is given away from the larger than normal cell and that the prisoner is half-naked.

This close up shows a woman in her late 50s in low-key lighting with bright, harsh light coming from the flame which could connote the harsh world they're living in. It is a very short shot and you can just about see the woman's face, so therefore it is difficult for the audience to guess who she is. She also says "you haven't taken any pills have you?". This adds mystery for the audience as it makes them question what sort of pills they are and what do they do and why this person must take them, further adding to the mystery and tension without giving anything away.

This long shot shows 3 elderly men. In this shot, they are represented to be very important to society. This is shown by the clothing they are wearing (suit and uniform) which is black, as is the car and this connotes seriousness. It also shows star power as they are very well known actors, which may draw the audience into watching it.



A low-angle shot is used here which shows the lead character run up a set of spiral stairs. The low-angle is used here to make the stairs seem much bigger than they are, which may make the audience question what is at the top of the steps. It can also give clues to the narrative - There are implications throughout the trailer that the film is set in a mental asylum and is set before the era we currently live in. People may know that the treatment to mental illnesses used to just be a lobotomy which was done in an area separate to the asylum, which is what is shown here, and is what happens in the film.