The Shawshank Redemption

Essay Planner


Describe the first one or two scenes in the text. Explain how verbal and/or visual features were used to suggest what the text would be about.


Opening:

First 10 – 15 minutes are very important as theme, setting, and character are introduced. The director wants to get your attention.


  1. How is the story introduced?
  2. What device is used to introduce the main character?
  3. What does it represent?
  4. What do we learn about him straight away? How?
  5. What does he say that introduces a major theme?
  6. Structure: At what point does the film start?
  7. How does he take us back to the beginning of his life? What is this technique called?
  8. What points in common do the beginning and ending have in common?


Visual and verbal features are used in film to present ideas or to demonstrate character or set the scene.


Visual

Verbal

  • Setting/sets
  • Camera (cinematography)
  • Lighting
  • Editing eg cuts, fade etc
  • Acting – characterisation, facial expressions, body language and gesture
  • Method of narration eg flashback, narrative structure
  • Special effects
  • Symbols
  • Humour
  • Contrasts
  • Costume
  • Camera, shots, angle, movement
  • Props
  • Mise-en-scene

Script – dialogue

Acting – characterisation, dialogue, non-verbal

Sound effects

Music

Method of narration eg voice over, chorus

Humour

Sound – diegetic is in the scene, non-diegetic is added to the scene.


The Shawshank Redemption

The Beginning


Previous exam questions:

  • Show how the opening of your studied text effectively introduced two of the following: ideas, setting, character
  • Analyse how visual and oral (verbal) techniques were used to establish a strong first impression of character(s) or setting or purpose
  • Analyse why you thought either the beginning or the ending of the text was effective


First 10 – 15 minutes are very important as theme, setting, and character are introduced. The director wants to get your attention.


The opening scene introduces the three main characters, the setting (Shawshank prison) and the idea that there is no hope. It tricks us into believing that Andy is guilty, firstly by the choice of song running through the credits and first scenes, “If I didn’t care” which implies he was passionate about his wife and secondly by the intercutting between the crime scene and the courtroom. He also gives a bad impression by being sarcastic and the judges’ comment that he was ‘an icy, merciless killer’ supports our belief.


Verbal/visual techniques

Music: If I didn’t care

Intercutting: Between crime scene and courtroom

Lighting: Dark at crime scene, bright in courtroom

Dialogue: ‘an icy and remorseless killer’

Sarcasm Tone

Camera Opening shot – mid-shot of Andy in car, drunk with a gun

CU of Andy listening impassively

Intercutting

LA MCU zooms out of judge pronouncing verdict

HA MS zoom to MCU of Andy

Editing Fades to black


Red

Editing Fades in from black

Camera POV shot as Red enters his parole hearing

Costume Red removes his hat which constantly shades his face

Symbol Hat is symbol of Red’s lack of hope because he is always in the shadow

Acting Visual feature Red fidgets and his eyes dart around showing his nervousness. It makes his responses seem insincere

Sound NB: Both main characters are on trial. The judge’s gavel and the ‘rejected’ stamp sound the same and pronounce the same sentence

Narration VO by Red. We hear Andy’s story in his way

Lighting Low key lighting from windows making interior gloomy and threatening

Camera Est. shot of prison; camera follows bus and then zooms up and over (overhead shot)

Movement and pans to show us the prison

Colour No real colour in costume or setting - drab

The Shawshank Redemption

Visual Text Revision


Topic: (2004) Explain how oral and visual techniques are used to show a change to a character and why these changes were important


Planning:


Red: Rehabilitated. Costume – hat covers head = no hope. Dialogue – ‘not a danger to society’ first parole hearing – ‘there’s not a day gone I didn’t regret’. Why important? Redeemed and now had hope


Andy: Dialogue – ‘icy and remorseless killer’ – out of control killer. Music – “If I didn’t care”. After – we realise this was a false impression. Character – Tommy who tells the real story allows us to realise that Andy was not guilty and we ‘see’ him differently


Introductory Paragraph:


Intro sentence:

First point:

Second point:

Third point:

Visual and verbal features:


First Body Paragraph:


Point:

Develop the point:

Example – visual and verbal features:

The Shawshank Redemption

Visual Text Revision


Topic: (2004) Explain how oral and visual techniques are used to show a change to a character and why these changes were important


Planning:


Introductory Paragraph:


Intro sentence:

First point:

Second point:

Third point:

Visual and verbal features:


First Body Paragraph:


Point:

Develop the point:

Example – visual and verbal features:

The Shawshank Redemption

Essay


You have to use the notes on you A3 sheet with the jigsaw activities. You must choose only three points out of the four to write on. Please follow the following instructions for your essay.


  1. Decide what topics you will write about
    1. Institutionalisation
      1. Explain the meaning of institutionalised. How does it apply to Brookes?
      2. Who else in the film is institutionalised? Why?
      3. Are the prisoners the only ones who are institutionalised? Explain why this is so.
      4. What does the film tell you about institutionalisation that you can apply to real life?
    2. Corruption and justice
      1. What is corruption? Give two examples of it in the film.
      2. What is justice? In what respects is justice finally achieved in the film?
      3. What does the warden reveal about justice? Mention at least three ways in which this is revealed.
      4. Is Andy wrong to escape – is this justice or corruption?
      5. What does the film tell you about corruption and justice that you can apply to real life?
    3. Hope
      1. What do we learn about hope (in a prison) in the film?
      2. What does Red think about hope? When does he get it? How?
      3. What is Andy’s idea of hope? When does he loose it? Why?
      4. How do all the prisoners get hope in the film? How does this make them feel? What does the film tell you about hope that you can apply to real life?
    4. Prison Life
      1. Look at power that the prisoners have in the film. Explain who has power and explain why they have power in the prison. Divide your answer into two categories: prisoners and workers
      2. Do any of the prisoners have more power than the prison workers? Who? Why do they have this power?
      3. Andy is a very strong character. However, there are people who have power over him. Who are they and how does he beat them?
      4. What does the film tell you about prison life that you can apply to real life?


  1. Write the heading for your paragraph then proceed to answer each of the questions for your topic above


  1. Do the same for your next two points


  1. Write an introduction that shows which points you are writing about


  1. Write a conclusion which shows what you have learnt from the film.

The Shawshank Redemption

Essay


Consider the way in which at least two episodes, sections or events contributed effectively to a text


2005 Describe an important incident and explain how it changed relationships between characters

Analyse how the presentation of one important incident changed your opinion of a character


1. Opening Sequence – Trial and Arrival

  • Gives background why he is in Shawshank
  • ‘Icy and remorseless’ killer who shows no emotion – gives the impression
  • Shots in the car give impression of a man out of control drunk and emotional
  • Music: “If I didn’t care”
  • Red at parole board – humble, trying to please – no power
  • Different man in the yard, walks tall and confident and is greeted by others
  • Red’s voice is calm and observant, in control
  • Siren, prisoners run. Wide Angle est. shot – establishes setting
  • CU of Andy on bus in bankers suit – looks out of place
    • “Looked like he had a silver spoon up his arse”
  • Prisoners demonic and dangerous, a mob
  • Low angle POV shot – prison ‘stretches’ to the sky
  • Meets Warden and Hadley “Welcome to Shawshank”


  • Sets up the situation – guilt is implied, not established
  • Introduces us to the main characters
  • Horror of the place obvious
  • Gets our attention, makes us believe in his guilt, sets us up


2. Outdoor detail

  • Spring of 1949
  • Andy took a big risk that paid off big time
  • Resurfacing roof of license plate factory
  • Captain Hadley complains about government taxes on an inheritance.
  • Andy asks, “Mr. Hadley, do you trust your wife?” Hadley is furious and drags Andy over to the edge of the roof. Then Andy explains how he can keep the money and that he could set it up for him
  • Requests three beers apiece for his ‘co-workers’
  • “With the sun on our shoulders we felt like free men”
  • “Me, I think he did it to feel normal again”
  • He sets things up for Captain Hadley which brings him to the attention of the Warden who makes a cell visit
  • This leads to his shift from the laundry to the library, so no longer at risk from the sisters.
  • Proves useful – does everyone’s tax return including the Wardens.