Continuing on that theme, in the trailer, right from the beginning; the first scene with a man and woman passionately embracing, already suggests that the movie is very much about passion and danger and arguably thrilling. It is a genre which will continually occur throughout the movie and it is also a genre which would arouse people because it’s exciting and dramatic, Also a prison movie which already indicates that there has been a crime. The next clear image you get is of a gun which is symbolic because it’s immediately associated with death or murder etc; it could be seen as menacing and sinister which in this case, it is.
Another significant factor is in the next clip with a scene of a courtroom and then the camera zooming in on the man and then a court hammer and accompanying it, a thud. This is particularly clever firstly because the scene of a courtroom signifies that a crime has been committed and injustice is being put right but is this actually the case? It’s a high angle shot so it establishes the scene and is symbolic because courtrooms are all about order and have a sense of superior ness. Then, a zoom shot going closer and closer, focusing on the man’s face which is affective because it emphasizes and portrays the man’s fears and look of horror and indicates he’s very vulnerable and indicates who the main character is. The man closes his eyes and blackness occurs so the audience know he’s doomed because black is a negative colour and then to reinforce this the sound of a hammer banging down and the slight subtle change of a jail door closing is extremely clever.
Furthermore, on the theme of sounds, the trailer is voiced over which wets ones appetite because arguably one wants to know who the voice belongs to and it is intriguing because its mysterious etc. When the movie starts there is also a subtle build up like a quiet vibrating which creates tension, which is what the movie is full of, and sets the mood. Then from the scene where the music subtly changes to a jail door shutting there is then a complete change in music from music which indicates nervousness and danger to a melodic flute melody. To one this could be ironic because it’s romantic, tranquil music yet it’s a prison scene which is also a contrast to the digital tense music in the courtroom. The music very much sets the mood which is helpful to the audience.
The next scene is a swooping of effect of the prison followed by a low angle shot. This is engaging because the shot suggests that the prison is dominating and over powering yet from what you see in the trailer Andy still seems to over come it. Moreover another factor which is used affectively is anchoring. “World out of a stone wall” and then you see the image of the prison wall. It emphasizes the words but also gives more meanings e.g. on one had that phrase is a well known expression which means that you should ‘think outside the box’ which relates to what Andy thinks due to his idea of ‘hope’ and ‘freedom’ which appears to be what all the characters lack, yet it could also be taken very literally.
Relating to the theme of hope and stone walls; one factor the trailer uses a lot of is negative and positive images. The next image one sees after the prison is an old man feeding a young bird. This is a positive image because it symbolizes innocence and hope and kindness yet it is then contrasted by the dark prison scenes and cruel prison guards who are harsh and the setting is dismal. Additionally anchoring is then used again a lot with the prison guards, for example: “It will take the light out of you” then accompanied by an image of a beaten man being dragged across the prison floor is not only very literal but also could mean it kills the life inside you. Likewise “I believe in discipline” reinforces the cruel sufferings the men have to endure. In addition to that, a subtle affect the creators also use is when Morgan Freeman speaks his hard harsh words he looks straight into the camera dragging us in, which is subtle yet it makes one feel obliged to continue watching because it feels like the comments are directed to you, singling one out making one feel more important.
Furthermore, continuing on the voice over, this is alluring because it’s like the voice is directly talking to you which makes one feel warmer and one feels more of a closeness to the character due to the fact that one sees what the character is thinking and feeling, you see It from someone else’s point of view. The humour added also makes the movie and trailer more ‘buddy’ like because it’s friendly and playful. For example in the scene in the prisons outside area there is on old man seen playing ball and laughing and then says “That’s what they all say” when Andy proclaims his innocence which puts one also in jokey mood and is encouraged by his laughter however he then goes on to say “He had a queer look and walk about him which separated him from the others” which makes one think likewise.
To emphasize hope, an image of a meadow quickly flashes indicating a small yet powerful proportion of hope. ‘Hope’ is then later shown again when there is a momentary scene of the sea stretching out into the horizon which symbolizes freedom yet also plays a bigger part later on in the movie. Nevertheless these images are quickly shown so it almost indicates there’s a slim yet powerful chance of hope. The man then goes on to say “hope is a dangerous thing” which suggests excitement which is then followed up by an image of an almost crazed man smashing glass which reinforces the dangerous side of such ‘wishful thinking’ It wets one appetite by then having sounds of gasping and a man saying “what in the name…” so it then therefore makes one curious because you want to know what it is and what is so breathtaking; it’s left as a cliffhanger.
However, the last bit of the trailer then confuses you with a commentary “Get busy living or get busy dying” which is incredibly meaningful and makes one motivated thinking there is hope after all and that quote taken from the actual movie is then repeating making it even more significant because logically it must be important if it is said more then once. Then, the trailer leaves the audience confused and hooked and eager to know more because after the ‘happy scene’ menacing thunder noises then are heard; and thunder is associated with danger and the trailer then has almost an edge to it and arguably leaves the question in your head ‘will hope triumph over everything?’ which leaves you to ponder.
Overall, in general one can conclude that the trailer for the Shawshank Redemption is captivating because it includes interesting scenes, a friendly voice over, built up tension created by music, clever camera shots and meaningfulness in approximately three minutes. It fits the criteria of a trailer because arguably it persuades the audience to want to know more by using cliff hangers however without giving the whole story away.
Frances Nolan
Y10Ariam
