1. Relationships that develop between characters
1.1. Red and Andy
1.1.1. Mutualistic relationship. Andy gets a companion in jail and Red is very intrigued by Andy and his ways.
1.1.1.1. When Andy first holds a conversation with Red in the yard, the frame was completely taken up by their faced next to each other conversing. This gives the audience the feeling that they are connecting.
1.2. Andy and the chief warden
1.2.1. This is very beneficial for the Warden, and only somewhat beneficial for Andy.
1.2.1.1. When Andy was put in 'the hole', the warden comes to threaten him and the camera angles are interesting. When looking at the Warden, we are looking up at him as if we are Andy to give the audience the feel that the Warden is dominant. Then, when we are looking at Andy we are looking down at his scared face to show submissiveness.
1.2.1.2. When Andy comes back from 'the hole' the chief warden tells Andy that 'it was good to have him back' and that 'it wasn't the same without him there'.
1.2.2. Andy states that he had to go to prison to become a crook
1.3. Andy and Tommy
1.3.1. This is interesting because Tommy is a good man who wanted to help Andy. This relationship is beneficial for Andy and not at all beneficial for Tommy, as if he had kept his mouth shut he would have lived.
1.3.1.1. There is a close up on Tommy's face when he first gets introduced, showing his youth. When Tommy gets angry about his high school diploma, the camera angles goes up when he stands up, making Tommy look big and scared.
1.3.2. this is a meaningful relationship for both Andy and Tommy, it gives Andy something to do and gives Tommy an opportunity to have a brighter future.
1.4. Brooks and the prison
1.4.1. After spending most of his life within the walls of Shawshank, Brooks has become attached to life he has become accustomed to. This is known as being institutionalised within the film. When presented with being released on parole, we see that he tries to kill Heywood in order to remain in prison as he doesn't know what life is like 'on the outside'.
1.4.1.1. To document Brooks's suicide, the camera follows his feet
2. How Characters develop and change: Their decisions, what influences them, motivation
2.1. All of Andy's actions in the movie are a development of resistance. Resistance to conformity, resistance to oppression, to injustice, to incarceration, to death itself.
2.1.1. This is demonstrated in his stone carvings, his rock hobby, his banking abilities, and in the end, his long term tunneling all indicate and reinforce the resistance
2.1.2. This is a progressive development, and it happens over a long period of time. The film techniques used to demonstrate the development of his resistance is best expressed when the camera zooms up into Andy's determined face
2.2. Brooks was a well respected and important man in Shawshank but as soon as he leaves the prison he feels insignificant and useless, this leads him to struggle with everyday life in the real word due to his worthlessness. This is what Red calls being institutionalized.
2.3. Tommy develops through his friendship with Andy.
2.3.1. Inspired by Andy's knowledge Tommy wants to get his high school diploma.
2.3.1.1. Tommy was motivated by his young daughter by mostly by Andy's guidance and teaching skills.
2.3.1.1.1. There is a long shot where the audience is shown the alphabet on the blackboard, Andy teaching and Tommy writing notes.
2.4. Red develops dramatically throughout the film. Before Andy came to the prison, Red felt as though he would never be let out into the free world. Red knew he was starting to become intitutionised like Brooks
2.4.1. The first time Red is introduced into the film, he is rejected by the Parole board. However, he is used to being rejected because he has been in the prison for over 30 years. When Andy and Red becomes friend, he sees the prison from a new perspective.
2.4.1.1. There was background, melodic music that was playing whilst Red was looking in the distance in some scenes. The music was often played in correlation with Red reflecting on different elements of his life.
3. Key events/moments that develop the narrative
3.1. When Andy gets sent to prison
3.1.1. This is the setting for the entire movie
3.1.1.1. The camera pans along the line of people and then to the inmates.
3.2. When Andy is quiet for the whole night.
3.2.1. This sets up his character for the rest of the film
3.2.1.1. They do not show the character's faces, only their profiles. They use shadows.
3.3. When Andy first talks to Red asking for a rock hammer.
3.3.1. This plays a large role in the plot and has a major role in the ending.
3.3.2. This is the first time Andy talks to Red and is a turning point in the film.
3.4. When Andy gets targeted by 'the sisters'.
3.4.1. This is significant because it shows the hard times before the good.
3.4.1.1. The camera focuses on the sisters' facial expressions. These normally take up the whole picture for a second or two
3.5. When "Fat Ass" gets beat up by the guards because the others tease him about potentially raping him and he breaks and cries
3.5.1. The fact that the man known as "Fat ass" wasn't given a proper name shows the audience the harsh environment and the circumstances in the prison
3.5.1.1. This can be seen through the camera angles whilst "Fat Ass" is being beaten up by the Captain of the guards. The guard doesn't stop beating him until he is unconscious proving.
3.5.2. The faces are not shown, only the shadows are shown to increase fear and to set the mood in prison as dark and scary.
3.6. When Andy gives tax advice to the guard
3.6.1. This is the foreshadow of Andy getting to know the guards and warden well and doing the prison tax filing. This gives Andy privileges within Shawshank. It also sets up an important component of Andy's escape.
3.6.1.1. His first proposal to the guard ended up with him being held over the edge of the roof. The camera is angled downwards to show Andy as the lesser figure. The camera is pointed upwards when showing the guard to portray his power over Andy in a life and death situation.
3.7. When Andy begins writing, once a week, to the state senate in order to receive funding for the library.
3.7.1. This shows Andy's determination and persistence and shows how much he values education.