Year 11 English: The Shawshank Redemption

Redemption (noun): the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil.

Name: ______________________________ PCG:_______________________

Task:After viewing Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption in class and engaging in formative learning, respond to the following question in an analytical essay.

Question:

Comment on how Darabont uses three or more film techniques to explore ONE of the following ideas:

Imprisonment and loss of identity The power of hope Justice and corruption

Presentation: 5 minute oral which is to be filmed or voice recorded. This can be presented in a multimodal format. This must be handed up with a written version of your speech.

Draft: Final Due:

You mustdemonstrate…

An understanding of the text (plot, characters, themes, film techniques, symbols, motifs)

Effective use of evidence to support your ideas (quotes/clear examples of scenes)

Appropriate form and register – introduction, main body, conclusion / fluent and accurate expression

Film TechniquesCamera Position

Term Example

Establishing Shot: Often a long shot or a series of shots that sets the scene. It is used to show the setting and to show

transitions between locations.What is in the frame? Why is it being shown?

Long Shot (Full Shot): A shot from some distance. If filming a person, the full body is shown. Often used to portray loneliness

or helplessness. Shows where the character is in the setting.

Medium Shot: The most common shot. Shows a person from the waist up. Offers more detail than a long shot, less detail

than a close up.Often used to show body language or used when two people are having a conversation.

Close Up: Image takes up 80% of the frame. The close up is used to show detail

and emotion in a characters face.

Extreme Close Up: The image being shot is part of something larger, such as an eye

or a hand. Used to show an extreme amount of detail on a particular person or

object.

High Angle: The camera is above the subject looking down. This makes the

subject look smaller than normal. Used to show weakness, a lack of power and being

trapped.

Low Angle: The camera is below the subject. This makes the subject look larger

than normal. Used to portray strength, power or a threat.

Camera Movements

Pan: The camera stays still and moves side to side

Tilt: The camera stays still and moves up and down

Zoom: The camera stays still, while the lens moves to make an object seem to move closer or further away from the camera.

Zooming in provides greater detail of the object, while zooming out provides a wider view of the setting around the object

Dolly/Tracking Shot: The camera is on a track that allows it to move with the action. The term also refers to any camera mounted on a vehicle.

Editing

Cut: The ending of a shot. Short, and sudden. The most common editing technique. The pace and frequency of cuts is important: Fast, frequent cuts suggests urgency, while slow, infrequent cuts build

suspense.

Fade in or out: The image appears or disappears gradually. It brightens to full strength over a full second, or darkens to fade out. The fade is often used as a division/change between scenes. The fade

is a slower and more dramatic way to connect scenes than a regular cut.

Dissolve: One image fades in while another fades out so that for a few seconds the two images at together on the screen. The dissolve is usually used to connect two scenes that would otherwise be

separated by time or distance.

Shot-Reverse-Shot: A common editing technique that shows a shot of one subject, then another, then back to the first. Often used for conversations and reaction shots.

Sound/LightingTerm Example

High Key Lighting: The scene is flooded with light, creating a bright and open looking scene that shows a lot of

detail

Low Key Lighting: The scene is flooded with shadows and darkness, creating

suspense or suspicion

Diegetic Sound: Sound that could logically be heard by the characters in

the film

Talking, nature sounds, music coming from a source (CD player, radio etc)

Used to make the film seem realistic

Non-diegetic Sound: Sound that cannot be heard by the characters and is

designed for audience reaction only

Any music without an identifiable source in the film. Usually called the ‘score’ or ‘soundtrack’

Used to let the audience know what emotion they should be feeling in a scene

VIEWING QUESTIONS

a) Where and when is the film set?

b) How is the setting established? What details are emphasised?

c) Which theme is identified as important?

d) How is this done through film and sound techniques?

e) Does the character’s action indicate any qualities about the person that become important later?

Use of Light, Sound, Music, Cinematography, Camera AnglesConsider how these techniques are used to:

To focus attention on a certain action or object

To convey emotion

To give information about where something is happening

To show a reaction

Look particularly for the use of high angle and low angle shots to suggest power, threat, vulnerability etc. Look for

the way light and music especially are used to increase our sympathy for or identification with a character.

Introduction of Characters Look carefully at the way each character is introduced. Our responses to them will develop from this initial

introduction. How does the director want us to respond? What techniques are used to create this response?

Where is the character when we first see them?

What camera shots are used?

What does their costume, hair, makeup tell us?

What are they doing? saying? thinking?

Is this contrasted with other characters established?

Development of Characters As the film progresses, measure each character against your first impressions.

Do subsequent events reinforce or contrast with the first impressions? Do we learn more?

Does the character change and develop or stay the same?

Look for ‘character defining’ moments.

Consider also the role, the function, that each character has in the narrative.

What do they contribute to the story that is being told?

Action /dialogue Setting /costumes etc Camera work /Lighting Sound/ Effects / Editing

Motif Themes that relate to motif

Explain the significance of the motif

Key Scenes and Quotes

Brook’s crow

The framed embroidery in the Warden's office that hides the bank book safe: ”His Judgement Cometh and that Right Soon”

Rocks/Rock shaping

Rita Hayworth/posters

Religious imagery

Walls