Analysing sound in a scene from Shutter Island

In this essay I will be analysing the sound in a scene from Shutter Island. Martin Scorsese uses multiple sound techniques in order to show the audience specific themes in this scene and to give them an idea on what to look out for. 

The sound pattern in the scene: 

Classical music: 

Start: Contrapuntal, non-diegetic sound - Parallel, diegetic sound -  Contrapuntal, non-diegetic sound 

Middle: Parallel, diegetic sound - Parallel, non-diegetic sound, Contrapuntal diegetic sound - Parallel, diegetic sound 

End: Contrapuntal diegetic sound - Parallel, diegetic sound.

As the Teddy and Chuck are showed in to the office of Dr Crawley we start to hear classical music fade in. We then see a high angle shot of the building as the music gets louder transitioning into the indoors scene. From this we can assume it was used as a sound bridge to keep the scene flowing and catch the audiences attention as the scene progresses. After some dialogue (whilst the music is still playing) we see a high angle shot of the record player playing. This lets us know that we are now hearing parallel, diegetic sound as the room they’re in is very posh and something you would associate with posh is classical music. 

Teddy then has a mini flash back and we are shown a tracking shot of young boys up against a fence whilst the music carries on. From the tatted clothes, dirty faces and the cold weather, we know that the music has transformed into Contrapuntal, non-diegetic sound. This implies that the scene hasn't changed and we are actually taken into the mind of Teddy and watching his thoughts. We know this because we still hear whats actually in the scene, only seeing differently. 

We then return to the original setting and are back to the parallel, diegetic sound formula. Having the parallel, diegetic sound is what differs fantasy from reality in the scene and gives the audience a clue as to what is narrative and symbols, metaphors and contextual information. 

After a minute or so of dialogue, a dream sequence begins (with the music still playing) . At the start of the sequence we are lead to believe that this isn’t reality as we haven't been given any evidence that the sound is diegetic. Also the sequence starts off with a shot of paper falling down into a pool of blood. So from this we can speculate that the sound is contrapuntal, non-diegetic sound. Which further convinces us that we are in a dream of some kind. However, further on in the sequence, as the tension rises, there is a shot of a record player  which then contradicts what you would think at the start of the sequence as we now realise that it’s diegetic sound. This one shot completely changes how the audience perceive Teddy and give us the first big clue to weather he is actually sane or not. This is because the record player symbolises reality and when you see the record player in the dream, it makes the audience question whats real and whats not and it is the first signs of Teddy struggling to tell reality from something he has made up.

You also hear diegetic, pleonastic sound such as the fire in the background to further exaggerate the themes of reality vs fabrication in the scene. It also gives us more of a reference to go back to when you may question if the shot at the time is real or not. The sound of fire may also connote that these two characters are somewhere far away from home or society. This could also be symbolising how Teddy is stuck there and can not leave even though he may want to. The effect this leaves on the audience is an isolated unescapable feeling that results in them being on edge for the rest of the scene. 

Another diegetic, pleonastic sound is towards the end of the scene when Teddy gets angry and throws his glass on the ground shattering it. Not only does this help convey the emotions of the character at that time but it also let’s the audience know that this is the climaxing point in the scene. This is because of the sudden change in sound from having a relatively quiet, formal conversation to such a sudden loud crashing sound.

Personally, I think the attention to detail for the sound in the scene amazing as it helps create the atmosphere, gives contextual information, symbolises key themes in the film and uses a wide range of different types of sound. Scorsese clearly thought very hard about what he was putting in to it and managed to get the perfect balance between too much and too little and I think all of that contributed to making this scene, one of the best in the whole film.