Shutter Island Trailer Analysis

Straight away, the audience see the Paramount logo appear on screen. This tells the audience who produced and distributed the film. The audience can then relate this company to other films they may have seen by them and decide whether they want to continue watching. 

The audience then see a mid shot of one of the characters in the film. Because he is the first character we see and so early on, the audience can assume he is the main character of the film and expect to see a lot more of him. This character is wearing an old fashioned styled hat which indicated the time zone of the film and when it was based around. This could catch the attention of older viewers as they might find it more interesting. Following this shot, there is an establishing shot of an island. This shows the location that the film is based. Also, the surrounding of the shot is quite misty and foggy which adds a sense of darkness to the island making it look like a lot of danger comes from within the island.

The shots so far have been short and consisted of fade in and outs to add tension to them. At this point the music in the background creates a sound bridge that is used over the scenes. its is quite a subtle piece of music that adds more tension and mystery to the trailer. The audience begin to feel like there is going to be a moment where it really explodes into something more quick and action packed. Furthermore, the music helps the audience understand the genre of the film more which will help them decide whether they wish to continue watching. The moment the music starts to say is when the characters start to talk about what they island is. You hear one of them say about the island being a mental institute and the main guy saying, 'Yes for the criminally insane'. The audience then start to understand the  plot to the film and the trouble and danger that the film will include. The first piece of text that we see is 'A MARTIN SCORSESE PICTURE'. The background is completely plain black which makes the white bold text stand out. The text size isn't that big but due to it being in all capitals really emphasises it being in the middle of the screen. There are then mid shots and long shots used on the police and guards on the island. They are captured in slow motion to really exaggerate how dangerous this island is and how protected it has to be. The actors that play the policemen all have plain but slightly intimidating facial expressions which adds to the tension and heart pounding issues of the film. This draws attention from the audience because they will start to wonder what is so dangerous and why they are so drawn to the new guy that has arrived at the island. So far the audience don't know who the main guy is. He could be a doctor, owner or even a visitor. This is leaving unanswered questions in the audiences head which makes them want to watch this film even more. Finally, we get a close up of the detective badge from the main character. Why is he on the island? What is he investigating?

Throughout the next few scenes are clips from within the institute and some of the patients that are in there. At some points we see the doctors and nurses that work there and by there clothing, the audience can tell that this film is based from the 90's. They wear all white with the women wearing little white hats as well; you don't really see that around anymore, doctors are now identified with blue uniforms. At about 1 minute into the trailer, an effect of flickering is added to the trailer to introduce an eery quality. It also adds a sense of confusion and it makes the audience think and try and piece it together. Quite a lot of dialogue is used within the trailer to help the audience make sense of what the film is about; without the dialogue the audience might be a bit lost and lose interest. As the trailer goes on the lighting becomes darker as the idea of the film is slowly revealed and the darkness is expressed to the audience. The fade transition starts to go and quick jump cuts is used as the trailer becomes more dramatic. You start to see a different side to the main character. He starts to dress like one of the doctors which makes the audience wonder what he is up to. Also, he acts differently; he seems worried and confused. We see long shots of him running through the institute and close ups of his face. He seems more pale and his facial expression seems stressed and disorientated. There is then another piece of text stating the name of the actor LEONARDO DICAPRIO. This tells the audience who the main star is which allows them to relate him to other films they have watched with him or they could then go search him to see how popular he is. The scenes start to get shorter and quicker as the end of the trailer approaches. This adds a climax to the trailer and more interest that draws the attention from the audience. Also, the music becomes louder and quicker to add to the style of the clips. Finally, the title of the film is released. SHUTTER ISLAND appears on the screen and has a black and white effect to it. It is in all capitals and is bigger than all other text that was previously seen on the trailer. It stands out completely from any other text to ensure the audience of the importance of it; without the title, the audience won't know what to then go and find out more about. 

At this point the music stops so the audience believe that this point will be the end of the trailer. However, the last scene then appears with the main character walking suspiciously through the hospital and suddenly a patient jumping on his back. The scene then cuts off and the trailer ends. That last scene is the most powerful to really shock the audience. It's the last scene that needs to really stand out to the audience to then make them want to either find out more or stick in their minds to then keep them waiting for the film to be released.