Editing In Shawshank Redemption By Frank Darabont

In the film, Shawshank Redemption, the director, Frank Darabont, uses editing to emphasize many unique moments in the picture. Different cuts are made, special effects are used, and parallel edits are put to work in this film in several aspects to accentuate certain feelings and emotions in specific moments throughout the film. One of the first aspects of editing that I notices was in the first few minutes of the film. During this moment, the audience is shown a gun. This gives the views the idea that the film that they are about to watch is a crime thriller, and when the gun comes into view, the gun is seen in extreme-close up. This becomes becomes significant in the film’s story as the audience continues to watch. The second editing
technique that I made note of while watching was the minimum use of special effects. There is no use of over-the-top high quality special effects along with an alluring setting location. Instead, the setting is basic in nature. Due to this, the director focuses mainly on how the story is told and making the film more of a realistic experience for the audience. The third editing technique that I notices was the parallel editing towards the end of the film. In this moment, Warden Norton finds out that Andy has escaped and how he did it. While this is happening, Andy is shown driving in his car, enjoying his freedom away from the prison. This gives the audience the affect that they’re in two places at the same time and able to get the full affect of each situation. There were multiple versions of editing that were portrayed in Shawshank Redemption. Some editing techniques dealt with the simplicity in special effects, and some dealt with the emphasis on certain objets to foreshadow a future significant moment in the film. Each technique is tied together to create a suspenseful and impactful film that the audience in bound to enjoy.