Textual Analysis of Shawshank Redemption 1994

 

Shawshank Redemption 1994

Tech. Codes

• Old, vintage music during titles, then sound bridges into opening scenes. This creates smooth transition into next scene------this is one of the things I would like to include in my production, as I think it would be a useful thing to have and improve my production
• Crickets in background with opening scene, adding to the music playing on the radio.
• Sound of violins and piano during present day scenes but not in flash backs.Creating tension and shows that the flash back is a separate scene.
• Diegetic sound of judge giving prison sentence , not on screen but part of the scene. Done this so the camera is on the man getting the sentence so audience can see facial expression
• Non-diegetic sound: Voice over
• CU and MCU shots to show emotion of the character-----This shots will be included in my production as they are important to a thriller
• Low angle and high angle shots, low angle shots shows someone as powerful and high angle shots shows someone as not powerful
• Medium shot used, this shows the audience where the scene is set and also the body language of a character
• Camera tracking in on character to show emotion, also feels intimidating, when man steps towards other character-------Camera tracking is an element that I could include as it could creates suspense
• Going from non-diegetic to diegetic sound
• Music on flash back, showing that it is a flash back
• Piano chords and violins soundtrack in present day to create tension, adding to atmosphere---------Sound to create an atmosphere will be needed, and violins or piano or orchestral strings are good to use in a thriller
• Orchestral strings subtly playing in background
• Low-pitched rumble on scene where the main character gets accused of crime
• Camera tracking on witnesses of main characters trial to show their facial expressions and emotion, building tension

Lighting

• Low-key lighting, shadows, creating tension for the audience----Low-key lighting will be used in my production as it is common in a thriller
• Shadows of trees projected on a character, only glimpses of character, feeling of suspense
• Present day is lighter than flash backs, natural lighting for present day, low-key lighting for flash backs, set at night, creating mystery. Makes you think what is going on?
• Can't see much in the dark, makes audience feels confined
• Up-lighting used in flash backs, distorting his face, making him look creepy and suspicious and creating shadows on his face 
• Grey and colourless
• Light from outside
• Turns light off in car, creating a silhouette-----I would like to include silhouettes and lots of shadows in my production to make the audience feel on edge and create tension

Mise en scene

• Props--alcohol, gun, gives insight into character. Drinking shows he is unhappy?----Props are very important in a production, so I will include appropriate props in my production to give the audience an insight into what it is about
• Smartly dresses in court room, formal
• Posture of lawyer, head to side, hands behind back, showing he doesn't believe the characters innocence, also authoritative
• 50's feel to film, old music playing. Gun old-fashioned
• Lady in flash back wearing red. Could signify passion or danger
• Leaning into camera, shows authority

Editing

• Vintage text, 50's feel
• Black background and white text
• Text, font = art deco. Could signify prison bars, looks like prison bars
• Slow paced shots, makes audience focus on what's happening and pay attention to all the little details. Slow paced shots also pull you in, makes you want to know what's going on-----I have decided that in my production I will use slow paced as it is more suited to my narrative