Shawshank redemption - opening sequence

1. FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
ANALYSIS
DIMITRIOS KYRIAZIS
AS LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES

2. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is
sentenced to two consecutive life
terms in prison for the murders of his
wife and her lover and is sentenced to
a tough prison. However, only Andy
knows he didn't commit the crimes.
While there, he forms a friendship with
Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences
brutality of prison life, adapts, helps
the warden, etc., all in 19 years.

3. THE TITLE
The opening sequence from Shawshank
redemption is rather old fashioned and
simple. As they mention the actors peaceful
music is being played in the background. After
the lead actors (Tim Robbins) and (Morgan
freeman) the name of the movie is being
revealed. However more actors and other staff
members are shown as the movie begins.

4. LIGHTING
The movie starts at night time and the light source can be
seen from outdoor lamps. Extra amount of light pointing at
the gun inside of the gun. So in the beginning of the opening
sequence there is low key lighting. And high key lighting is
shown in the court. The light is seen from the windows in
broad day light.

5. SOUND
During the title sequence peaceful music is being played. Furthermore
the peaceful music is still being played throughout the opening, where
then Andy (the main character) opens the car door making a digetic
sound. Some more digetic sounds are being heard when Andy is
fiddling with some props in the car that’s clearly been edited to make it
sound louder. However then a sound-bridge is being placed from Andy
in the car to him in court. In the end of the film opening there is a
person speaking (dialogue).

6. CAMERA MOVEMENTS AND ANGLES
At the start of the opening the camera is zooming out and slowly
moving to the right side where its pointing at the back of Andys head,
however then the camera is turning to his face. Then matched on action
is being placed from him putting his hand out from the drawer to a close
up of his hand picking up a gun from the drawer and its consistently
pointed at the gun in a close up. Then there is a close up of his face.
Then finally at the end a sound-bridge is being put in from a close up of
him in the car to a close up of him in the court.

7. THE END