Shawshank Redemption Camera Angles

“The Shawshank Redemption” uses a very unique style of cinematography in order to capture the audience, with each film technique having a purpose to fulfill. The part of the movie that will be discussed is the scene where the main character “Andy” breaks out of the prison. This is a very significant scene as it symbolizes many things, Including the most important of which, is freedom. In The Shawshank Redemption, the use of long takes, close ups, and slow zooms toward the characters make the story intimate enough to affect the audience
The scene starts of inside the prison, while Andy is in preparation for his escape. The scenes that are inside the prison are very dark. They make the viewer feel like they too are a part of the prison with the other characters.
The various forms of lighting in the movie create a unique effect. When Rembrandt lighting is used in the cell and to focus on his poster, it creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension. The emphasis on the poster may signify “the hiding of the truth” (As the poster is covering his escape route” .In the shots where Andy is crawling through the tunnel, cameo lighting is used. This creates a feeling of adrenaline and fast paced movement. The unstable movements of the torch add to the realism. Another significant lighting technique that is used is the lightning in the background. It creates a silhouette which emits a feeling of mystery and thrill.
Sound in this scene is important in the way that it is subtle and also not overwhelming. The use of non – Synchronous sounds (Gagging in the tunnels; Narration) creates an atmosphere which highlights the serious attitude of the scene, letting the viewer understand the importance of the goal Andy is trying to achieve. The director used an interesting method of applying synchronous sound in the scene; by making Andy time the striking of the pipe in sync with the lightning.
What is noticed during the scene is that in the process of the escape, close shots are often