‘The Shawshank Redemption’

‘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

‘The Shawshank Redemption’