‘The Shawshank Redemption’

Scene 1 of Analysis – Andy Entering Prison

• Analysis of the scene will focus on the following:– Camera distance, angle and movement– Music and sound– Mise En Scene (Lighting, costume, prop)

Shot 1.1 – Helicopter Shot showing exterior of Shawshank prison and bus

arriving

• E.L.S. opens scene to establish setting, allow audience to see the scale of the prison

• Camera is high angle to show weakness/helplessness of prisoners

• Helicopter shot follows bus – a birds eye view to take in the setting. The slow fly-over mirrors the foreboding sense felt by Andy as he approaches the prison

• Non-Diegetic expressive music – soundtrack uses strings playing minor chords to show the sense of unease and fear in Andy

• Narrator (non-diegetic sound) explains the year that Andy arrives– Anchorage with the mise en scene; the cars and buildings

are from the 1940s which fits with the narrator stating it is 1947

Shot 1.2 – Helicopter Shot (continued) shows prison exercise yard

• Camera has tilted down to a high angle shot on prisoners, connotations of being trapped and helpless

• E.L. shot gives sense of scale – the prisoners are tiny compared to the prison

• All prisoners appear the same due to their uniforms; connotations of loss of the individual and different to the rest of society

• Diegetic sound of the prison guard speaking over the speakers system add to the realism of the scene

Shot 1.3 – Helicopter Shot (continued)

• See prisoners running to greet the bus, breaks up the monotony of their day

• Diegetic sound of the flag fluttering has connotations that the prisoners are constantly watched over – the warden/guards, God and the audience

• Colours used in shot are dull, drained has connotations of depression and boredom felt by prisoners, blue flag shows that this is a masculine environment

Shot 2 – Handheld track towards Andy

• M.S. shows the interior of bus – the men look nervous and frightened

• Camera tracks towards Andy, who is framed in the middle of the shot behind a barred window, to show that he is the focus of the scene

• Costumes of men are appropriate for the setting of 1947 to add anchorage with the narrator Andy is said to be a wealthy banker and his grey suit shows this

• Andy looks nervous but is the only man to keep looking forward as they pull up beside the prison to show he is strong/different

• Andy’s clothes are the same colour of the prison, dull and depressed

• Light is natural with shadows falling on the faces of the men – connotations that part of them are evil/dark

Shot 3 – Steadicam track and tilt on Red

• Camera follows then tilts up to focus on Red in low angle L.S. – Red is powerful as he supplies the other prisoners with contraband

• Diegetic sounds of cheers show the prisoners take delight at ‘welcoming’ the new prisoners

• Colour of costume is blue to convey masculinity and grey to show conformity and reflects the drabness of the prisoner’s existence

Shot 4 – Gates opening to see exterior of bus

• M.S. of prison entrance from guards P.O.V.• The gates represent the barriers the men face

between prison and freedom• Fast rack and pull focus from gates opening to

the bus entering shows the fate of the prisoners

• Colour of gates and guards uniform is black to connote strength and power

Shot 5 – Panning shot showing P.O.V. of prisoner on bus looking at guards

• Shot, reverse shot edit (prison guard P.O.V. to prisoner on bus P.O.V) to show continuity

• Panning L.S. frames the guards in the centre of the bus window – they are central to the prisoners’ lives as they control everything

• The guards appear imposing and strong• Diegetic sounds get louder – to intimidate the

prisoners • Non-diegetic sounds get louder to reflect the

fear of the prisoners

Shot 6.1 – Steadicam tracking towards guards

• M.S. of guards rushing out of tower with guns adds to the tension of scene as the language of violence is present – connotes that Shawshank is a violent place

• Camera follows guards to show their P.O.V., the audience becomes like the guards as they will watch what happens to the prisoners over the course of the film

• Diegetic sound remains the same volume to emphasise the noise and to show continuity

Shot 6.2 (Continued) - Tilt down to view bus from guards P.O.V.

• E.L.S of bus pulling up at entrance from guard’s P.O.V. – emphasises the fact the men cannot escape and are powerless

• Non-diegetic music changes chord to show the threatening nature of the guards and the percussion adds tension

• Audience feel sympathy for the prisoners/Andy due to the intimidating way by which they are treated

Shot 7 – Bus doors open to allow prisoners to enter the prison

• M.S. of Hadley opening the door shows the height and physical strength of the character – connotes power and authority

• Costume of Hadley – black with a gold trim – emphasises the superior status he has as he dominates over almost everyone in Shawshank

• Hadley grabs and insults first prisoner – his character is shown to be cruel and authoritative

• Gates in background emphasise the fact the men cannot escape

Shot 8 – P.O.V. pan across showing prisoners exit bus

• L.S. from Andy’s P.O.V. as he leaves the bus• Camera pans across to follow their progress as

if Andy is turning to watch them• New prisoners are chanted at to intimidate

them• Diegetic sound of men rattling the metal fence

adds to tension and is mirrored by the percussion in the non-diegetic music

Shot 9 – Steadicam shot to show Andy exit the bus

• C.U. on Andy to show the fear in his expression and that he is the main character of the film

• Eye line matches are used to show what Andy sees as he walks into Shawshank

Shot 10 – Steadicam tracks as Andy enters the main building

• C.U. shows fear on Andy’s face before tilting up as Andy looks up at the main entrance building

• Non-diegetic music begins to change tone in order to express the nightmare like scene unfolding for Andy

• Colour of Andy’s suit is like that of the bricks around him as if he is already part of the prison

Shot 11 – Steadicam tilt up to show Andy’s P.O.V. as he looks up

• Canted, low angle L.S. connotes the change in Andy’s life as he enters prison – the low angle connotes that the prison will dominate and Andy is powerless against it

• Music swells to a climax to emphasise the finality for Andy – he is here for the next 50 years

• Building looks like a gothic castle – connotes horror and evil within–Audience feel sympathy for Andy because

of this