Textual Analysis (2)

For my second textual analysis i have looked at a scene from The Shawshank Redemption (1994). This scene is near the end of the film and when Andy Dufresne has escaped from prison and the wardens cant understand how. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCtgM1hWcUY

Sound

The sound in this scene diegetic and is dominated by dialogue. However as soon as they realise how he got out music starts to fade in and this is representing the possibility that he has left the prison and it also represents the shock that the other prisoners and wardens have. The sound of the stone going through the poster is echoed as a way of emphasising the realisation. This is also when the non diegetic music starts. As the tunnel is revealed the music starts as if to match the shock of the characters. The next shot is then matched with the cut in the music.

Cinemtography

The cinematography in this scene is simple but effective as there are shots which are in between two characters. The antagonist in this film is framed by himself whereas Red is in a frame with two other people which represents him being crowded by people and him unable to break free which is how he feels in the prison. The shots of the antagonist are close ups which make him seem more intense and aggressive. Half of his face is also in darkness which represents his good and evil side. Whereas Red is very calm and inn a medium shot. As the warden imitates a voice of the poster the camera angle has changed to make it look like the warden is talking to the camera and as though the audience are in the scene. When the warden throws the stone through the poster there is a slow zoom out on the shot of Red as the warden walks up to the poster. This is being used as a realisation and also keeping the audience guessing until the very end of the scene. As the tunnel is revealed behind the poster the camera is positioned inside the tunnel and zooms backwards to give perspective for the audience on how well the tunnel was built. The three characters are framed in the hole which also shows their shock.

Editing

When the wardens are talking to Red the editing is a typical shot reverse shot pattern as you see in conversations. the editing is continuity editing so that the narrative is continuous. When the warden imitates the poster there is an eye line match to the poster so that the audience recognise what he is talking about. However before this eye line match there is a shot which makes the audience feel like they are in the position of the poster. This is highlighting the position of the poster and almost giving off clues as to what has happened. As the warden throws a stone through the poster it carries on you don't see an eye line match to the poster until later on. Instead you see the reactions of the characters first. The cut to the inside of the tunnel makes more of an impact on the audience as it gives them the scale of the tunnel.

Mise-En-Scene

This scene is set inside Andy's cell so is cramped and very bare. The costume for the warden is very clean and smart compared to the prisoners. He is wearing a black jacket and suit and black thick rimmed glasses. This look makes him look more powerful and intimidating to the audience and the prisoners. This emphasises his power over them and his status. Red is dressed in his prison clothes which are a faded blue colour. Even though you know that Red and the other prisoners are guilty of crimes such as murder and theft you feel an emotional attachment to them and are supporting them more than the guards and the warden. This is why the prisoners are dressed in a faded blue as this looks less threatening than black.