Sound And Visual Features example essay topic

In my studied text, the film The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Dara bont, sound and visual features have contributed greatly to the production in a number of ways. The film is rich in sound techniques through its musical content from the very start. The song 'If I didn't care' by the Ink spots gives the idea of the mid twentieth century period in its style, and in its mood and words sets the idea of whether or not individuals are concerned about each other or are isolated and forgotten. There is also later in the film significant use of operatic music when the character Andy Dufresne is able to play a record over the usually authoritative and strict public address system of the prison. His choice of a rich and emotional piece of Mozart brings some brightness to the prisoners' day and sets up the idea of his ability to take on the system of the governor. Music also combines with visual effects on many occasions as for example when the director sets up the introduction to Shawshank prison itself in the early stages of the film.

The music here is slow, played by strings and a long bass sound that emphasises the sad atmosphere of the place. In visuals this is accompanied by colours that are bleak and lighting that is dull to further depress the audience's view of the place. Low camera angles and the entry to the prison from Andy's point of view as he looks from under the gateway entrance all impress on us the idea that he will not come out for a long time. Once inside the prison the low-light, long shadows and darkness give a cold and disturbing feel to the atmosphere. This visual presentation of the prison and its life continues. The majority of the film is dark: most scenes are shot either when it is about to rain or after the sunset.

The main effect of this is to keep the constant 'dark' theme to convey to the audience that Shawshank is a darkness and something to be feared. There are similar examples where visual features contribute in other parts of the film. During Andy's first night at Shawshank, the lights are turned out, and with sudden sounds and appearances the prisoners come out of the dark like bats, making fun of the new prisoners. This animal-like behaviour is also seen when the prisoner 'Fat Arse' is beaten by Hadley. The victim slithers around like a snake in trouble and when he finally collapses he looks and sounds like a tired and beaten slug.

The director uses such production features to show how a prison turns people into non-humans in a savage world. Therefore in many parts of the film sound and visual features have contributed in a major way to create the atmosphere and experience of prison life where the story develops.