Shawshank Redemption tarring roof scene - analysis

What is editing?
Editing is the process in which separate clips are combined together into sequences, once the clips are in a sequence they are then altered to produce a longer piece of media.
In the past when every single film was filmed onto film, the editing process was a strenuous and incredibly delicate process of cutting and sicking separate pieces of film together. This is where the term 'cut' comes from, due to the fact that the pieces of film were literally cut apart and then stuck together to form the sequence. Editing these sequences was a hard process as they had to be tampered with on the piece of film, so being careful was key, due to the fact that one small slip up and that shot could be ruined instantly.
Modern technology has enabled filmmakers to have an easier and less stressful time during the editing process. Films are now edited on computers which means that the clips can be edited by the click of a button, this has a much lower risk to it as the footage can not be physically damaged whilst being edited. Modern technology also opens up new options when editing, this is due to the fact that effects and transitions can be put in with ease. An extremely good example of a film shot on digital using transitions alot to benefit it is Star Wars 3 The clip below showcases the use of one transition the 'wipe' and how it works really well in the movie.




The 'wipe' is used in this movie to help leave one piece of action and go straight to another piece on one smooth transition, which is extremely effective in this movie.

 However there are many more transition effects which can be implemented into movies, such as:

What is continuity?:
Continuity is the prominent form of editing in video and film media, this is done in the post production process, so that everything that is put together flows correctly and runs smoothly so that the viewer believes that they are watching a story that runs smoothly to their eye. It establishes a 'logical coherence' between shots that keeps it flowing correctly.

Establishing shots: An establishing shot is a set-up in part of a show or movie that establishes the plot and context for the viewer, this often features the main characters and or important objects in the movie, this is used to set the tone for the rest of the scene in which the viewer is about to watch. There are many great examples of establishing shots in media, however the one I have gone for is Spider-man, due to the fact that it fits the definition perfectly from panning to the building to Peter Parker (the main character) walking through the door.
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The 180 degree rule:
The 180 degree rule is key when showing an on screen spatial relationship between either a character and another character or a character and an on screen object,this is key in giving the viewer a sense of the scale of the items and characters that they are watching, this can be significant in showing a figures authority with how they are depicted next to other characters and objects. It is vital that the 180 degree rule isn't broken, due to the fact that if it is it can cause the whole of the virtual reality's  realism to fade and the viewer can realize that what they are watching is indeed fake and lose interest in the plot completely, a prime example of the 180 degree rule being broken is in this mikado advert: In this advert it is clear that the 'jousters' have switched positions, meaning that any realism created by the scene has disappeared in a very easy to fix manner


However, there are examples of the 180 degree rule being executed well in cinematography in which
the viewer will not even notice that the shot has changed as what they've seen is so instant, a great example of this done well is: In this scene from The Wolf Of Wall Street, as it keeps the conversation between the two characters flowing whilst changing from 180 degrees each time the other character speaks


Shot Reverse Shot: A shot reverse shot is a technique in which a character is shown to be looking at another character, the other character often being depicted of screen, this will then cut to the other character 'looking back' who will also be looking at something off screen, this paints the illusion to show that the two characters are looking at each other, this is also often used when two characters are having a conversation with one and another to keep it flowing successfully, an example of a shot reverse shot being used successfully is in: Spiderman also, it is used during the conversation, even though the actors are talking off screen as it's the same actor, it is still depicted as if they are having a conversation with each other at that very same point.

Match on action shots: Is a technique in which the editor cuts from one shot to another shot in which matches the action in the first shot, these shots may be shot hours from each other, however, they paint the illusion of continuous time when the viewer is watching the fully edited final film. This is used to create a 'visual bridge' this makes the viewer less likely to notice the cutting or any tiny continuity errors which may occur between the shots. A good example of this being used is in the first Matrix movie (1999) it can be viewed here:

Eye-line cuts: Eye-line cuts are a fantastic way of engaging the viewer, it is used so that they can see what the character is seeing, this not only helps to develop the movies plot in more detail, but it is also helps for the viewer to feel closer to the character and feel as though they are experiencing the same things. A good example of this is in Voyager (1942) it can be viewed here:


Cut: A cut is the most common transition, it is an instant change from one shot to the next shot the majority of all transitions are cuts. For examples of where cuts are effective click here. These clips show different ways in which they can be effective, 0:54- 1:00 is a great example of where a cut can be used to make a fight scene into a more dramatic scenario. They are also a great way switching to a different time zone or different location, a great example of this is between the times of 3:55 - 4:05. Cuts are great ways of keeping the audience engaged, they do so by going straight to the next scene or piece of action instantly, these are generally seen as the best way of keeping the viewer engaged, this is why they have kept their popularity with filmmakers ever since the creation of films.

Dissolve: A dissolve has a more relaxed feel than a cut as it gradually fades from one shot to the next shot, these can also be used to convey a sense of time passing or a location change. Dissolves are commonly used in film and television media, they can be great to show time passing or a location change, a great example of this is the first 5 seconds of this here it is used to signify a change of location, to the top of the building which is pictured at the start of the scene. Dissolves keep the audience engaged by making them believe that a long time has passed in the scene therefore giving them a different scenario. They are also used to keep the audience engaged with location changes, this is due to the fact that a new location will be fresh in the viewers mind, therefore making them intrigued as to what will happen at the new location.
                                          
Fade: These fade the shot to one singular colour, usually being a solid black or white, these are known as: 'fades to black' or 'fades to white' these are usually used to signal the beginning or ending of a scene. An example of fades being used in a media text can be viewed here. This is how fades are generally used, they are used to signify the end of a scene or the very end of a movie. These are used as they slowly fade to black to show that what was on the screen is no more and that the experience is over, or has changed. A fade can keep the viewer on the edge of their seats, this is due to the fact that one part of the film will of ended and they will have to be ready for the next part of the action. These are also effective for bringing the viewer out of the state of viewing the movie at the very end, as the movie ends and slowly fades out, they slowly come back into the real world and therefore come out of the viewing experience they have been engrossed in.

Techniques to identify with the main characters:

screen time: The more screen time one of the characters gets, generally the higher the importance they have is, due to the fact that if they spend a while on screen the audience are able to develop an opinion on the character and see whether they have a bond with the character. Also, any character that spends the majority of the film on screen is either the protagonist or the antagonist, as screen time is given to people depending on how important they are to the movie as a whole.

POV shot: The POV shot is used to show something from either a character or objects perspective, this is used to give the viewer a unique view on what's happening, this can be great when trying to see from a different perspective, exactly what is in the view of the character or object, this is also a great way for the audience to feel more involved with the character as they are placed in their shoes for a second when a POV shot is used. A great example of this is the many occasions it happens in the television series: Better Call Saul -
Better Call Saul // Point of View from Jaume R. Lloret on Vimeo.


Close ups: Close ups in film making are used to tightly frame a person or object this can be used to show a persons facial expression or to pick out an object which will be hard to see at first glance, when showing a characters face this is used so that the audience are able to see the emotions in which the character is experiencing, this is important so that the viewer can know what the character is experiencing and whether they should be concerned for them in the scene in which is about to happen. A good example of this being used in a media context is in 'The Breakfast Club' which can be viewed here:
 

Reaction shots: Reaction shots are used to show one of the characters reactions to what is happening on screen, their emotions are often used to show how serious/light a situation is, these are vital in giving the viewer an insight into what the characters are feeling during a certain part of the text, these can also be used to affect the viewers emotions, due to the fact that they can share the emotions of the character if they are engrossed with what is happening on screen. These can be fantastic ways of changing the mood in a scene very quickly, a light hearted situation can be turned in an instant to a serious situation with the use of a simple close-up of someones facial expression changing. A good example of reaction shots being used would be:



What piece of media am I analyzing?

I am going to be analyzing the roof tarring scene which can be viewed here:





What editing techniques are used in this extract to keep the viewer engaged?

Transitions:


Cut: A cut i used at 20 seconds to change the action from the prison wardens to the mop tarring the roof, this is done to change the action instantly, the editor kept this going smoothly by keeping the wardens conversation going on during both shots, this kept everything flowing without cutting away from the action. It could also be argued that it cuts to the mop tarring the roof to show the gulf in authority between the two sets of characters, this is due to the fact that he wardens are having a conversation regarding $35,000 whilst the prisoners are tarring a roof in one of their most 'free' moments in the whole film. There are many more examples of cuts in this scene due to the fact that they are the most commonly used transitions, to support this fact here are all the cuts used in the very first 2 minutes of this scene: 0:32 cuts from the prisoners back to the wardens, 0:52 cuts back from the wardens to the prisoners, 0:56 cuts from the prisoners to a close up of Andy's face, 1:00 then cuts from the close up of Andy's face to a medium range shot of him and the other inmates, 1:07 then cuts away from the inmates' conversation straight to the wardens, 1:13 cuts back to Andy whilst he's working, 1:18 then cuts back to the wardens' conversation, 1:23 then cuts to Andy as he makes his decision to confront the warden about how he can keep his money, 1:33 then cuts to a medium shot of Andy approaching the warden from behind him, 1:37 cuts back to the reactions of Andy's fellow inmates despair as the wardens turn their guns to him, 1:39 then cuts back to the action, 1:44 cuts to the warden making the decision to attack Andy, 1:50 then cuts to Andy trying to support his argument, 1:54 cuts to the wardens decision to harm Andy,  finally, 1:57 cuts to the Warden attempting to throw him off of the roof before at 1:59 it cuts to the inmates reaction to this happening.

Shot variation:


Close up: Between 0:57-1:00 there is a close up of Andy's face, this is to show that he is listening closely to what the warden is saying, this is important, as it shows that he is listening closer to the wardens conversation than the others who are simply laughing at his expense, whereas the close up of Andy's face shows that he is taken in by the conversation and wants his own input.
Other instances  throughout this scene of this shot are:

 1:40-1:43 when a gun is pointed to Andy's head and he asks the warden whether he trusts his wife, you can tell by the look on Andy's face here that he didn't mean it maliciously and that is perhaps why this shot was used.

1:53-1:56 a close up of the wardens face is used to portray his sheer rage about what Andy just said about his wife.

Over the shoulder shot: The over the shoulder shot is used between 1:43-1:50 this shows the reaction of the warden after Andy's comment, it is clear that he isn't happy, there is also another technique used in this shot, as the camera zooms in slowly as the warden steps towards Andy to get closer to the action.
Other examples of the over the shoulder shot being used are:

At 2:03, an over the shot is used when the warden is holding Andy over the edge, this shot is used to show that Andy is indeed one slip from falling to his death, this puts the viewer on edge knowing that Andy is on thin ice.

Reaction shots: Reaction shots are used effectively in this scene to help the audience relate to not only Andy and the Warden(s) but also his fellow inmates, these can also be used here to help the audience decide what emotions they are supposed to be feeling in this instance, the first example of reaction shots being used is at: 0:57 when the shot cuts to a close up of Andy's reaction to the warden revealing that he is about to inherit $35,000. This intruiges the audience as they don't know what is going through Andy's mind, all the audience knows at this point is that Andy has taken an interest into the conversation in which the prison wardens are having.

 

Reaction shots are also used to show the inmates' reactions to when Andy is approaching the guards. This is used between: 1:24-1:32, this is used to show that the inmates are scared about what Andy is doing, the audience can then infer from this that this is an extremely careless and stupid thing to do, and that Andy is going to endanger himself, this puts the viewer in a state of wondering what is going to happen and find out just what Andy has been thinking about whilst listening to their conversation, however the reaction of the inmates should then be passed on to the audience and they should also feel worried about what is to happen next.

   

The same shot of the inmates reaction is used again, this time between the time at 1:58, this time it is used in a much more serious way, as this time Andy's life is genuinely at a more serious and immediate threat as he is seconds away from being thrown off of the roof, this is used so that the audience go on the edge of their seat, and will help to raise the tension and shock of the situation and the seriousness of what is about to happen.

Birds eye view shot: There is an example of a birds eye view shot in this scene, at the time of 2:06, this is used to show how close to the edge of the roof Andy is and how far the drop is in itself. This is once again used to keep the viewer engaged in the action and helps them to notice the sheer magnitude of what one wrong word could mean for Andy.

Low angle shot: There are also examples of low angle shots, an example of this is when the inmates are seen drinking their beer at 3:36, this is used to give them some authority, this is due to the fact that Red is saying how they could of been cleaning their own roofs, and that they were the lords of all creation. Meaning that for the first time he felt normal and wasn't underneath everyone as a criminal, the low angle shot gives the inmates authority and shows that they can have some normality left and that they for once felt powerful at this point. This has a connection with the audience as they will now realize that even though they are criminals, they are still normal human beings deep down.
In this scene, lighting is also used in a very smart way, it is shone on the faces of the inmates which helps to paint the image of happiness as the shone will signify happiness and draws the viewers attention to them.

Tracking shot: There is an example of a tracking shot used at: 4:00, the shot tracks and slowly gets closer to Red's face as he discusses how he feels free, the shot then continues to track just past his face and whilst he is discussing being 'free' the camera picks up the policeman in the background, this is a very effective shot, this is due to the fact that the viewer will realize that however 'free' they may feel, they are still prisoners and freedom is the exact opposite to what they have, it is a powerful shot that plays with the viewers emotions, however much they may like the characters they have still been found guilty as criminals by a court of law.

Continuity:

180 degree rule: The 180 degree rule is followed excellently in this scene, I can not find one example of it being broken, this is important so that what the viewer is witnessing is made more believable, if they were to be witnessing something that suddenly changes direction in the next shot then the mirage that has been painted throughout the movie will suddenly disappear and the viewer will sub consciously pay less attention and be less engrossed by the story in which they are witnessing.

Shot-reverse-shot: A shot reverse shot is a technique in which one character is shown looking in the direction of another character is shown to be looking in the direction of another character, the camera then cuts to the face of the other character looking back in the corresponding direction, this helps to create the image that both characters are staring at eachother, there is an example of this in the scene at: 1:51, when Andy and the prison warden are facing off. A shot reverse shot can help the viewer to understand what is going on and help them realise that two characters are staring at eachother.

Match on action shots: A match on action is an editing technique in which the film is edited so two separate clips of action are used from two different views, this can show different angles of the same scenario, giving the viewer a greater insight to what's happening in the movie,


Establishing shot: The start of the scene has a good example of an establishing shot, an establishing shot is generally a long/longer shot at the start of the scene to set the tone and show the audience where the scene is and what the characters are doing. In this scene, the establishing shot lasts from 0:00 to 0:20, it sets the scene perfectly, due to the fact that the bucket of tar is followed up onto the roof of the men tarring the roof being guarded by the police, this sets the scene immediately, as there are no questions on the audiences mind, they will know exactly what is happening, which is important here, so they realise exactly what is happening.

Does this scene keep the audience engaged?

The Shawshank Redemption is famous for being one of the best movies ever created, this is due to scenes like this one keeping the audience engaged throughout, this scene keeps the audience engaged with great shot variation and use of lighting.

The pace of the scene flows in exactly the right way to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, as it picks up in when Andy approaches the warden about his Wife, Shot reverse shots are used here to keep the viewer engaged on both of the scenes key characters as the tension builds as Andy says everything he shouldn't.
The shot reverse shots keep the viewer guessing as they wonder how Andy is going to get himself out of the situation he has found himself in, and how he can get the warden to calm down.
Following on from the shot reverse shots, an over the shoulder shot is then used as another way of showing the conversation between Andy and the warden from another angle, this time from a much more precarious situation for Andy and this is shown from the over the shoulder shot, as the rage and anger on the Wardens face engages the audience as they know that Andy is in a lot of danger, and one slip could cause him to be thrown off of the roof.

The shot variation used in the scene was vital in keeping the scene with its tense scenario, a good example of this is the cutaways to the inmates reactions every time Andy finds himself in danger. For example between 1:55- 2:00. This is a way of showing how the events on screen have affected over characters and not just the protagonist this is vital when keeping the scene going and flowing accurately, therefore it's a prime example of shot variation done correctly.

An example of a type of shot variation that is not used in this text is a montage. A montage is generally used to put selected shorter clips together to make one longer clip to create a piece of film that shows progression and or a time frame change, these are used in many movies, mainly consisting of the protagonist learning or training for something that will be happening to them later in the film, however, there are some instances in which the antagonist can also be a feature of a montage, although these are much rarer instances. A great example of a montage featuring the protagonist is in Team America, this is supposed to be a comedic montage, however, it is a prime example of a montage done well. 

Another technique in which is missing from my text was instances of providing and withholding information. Providing information is used so that the viewer sees everything in which has occurred so no questions can be asked. This is commonly used in horrors/thrillers so that the viewer can see the events happening in their entirety for example someone stabbing someone and actually seeing the knife enter the victim, there are many examples of this being used in media texts, a prime example of this is: In the Movie setup.

Alternatively, the filmmaker can decide to withhold information, this is where the viewer is left to question what happens as just before it happens it cuts to something else, this is also common in horrors/thrillers however, this time the violence generally happens off screen, a great example of this is in Hitchcock's Psycho, in the famous stabbing scene, the viewer does not once witness the knife actually enter the victim.  

Another instance of an editing technique in which is missing from the text that I selected it cutting to soundtrack, this is due to the fact that it had no soundtrack, however, cutting to soundtrack is very common, it is generally used to increase/slow the  pace of the scene,with the cuts to different shots happening to the speed of the soundtrack. A prime example of this happening in film media is the famous scene in jaws with the famous soundtrack in which when Jaws gets gradually closer to its victims the music increases and the shots gets shorter, this is used to keep the viewers heart rate going and going quicker as the danger becomes more apparent.

On the other hand, an editing technique in which is used in this scene is cutaways, these are used to cutaway from what is happening with the protagonist/antagonist and take attention to something else in which is occurring, a prime example of this happening in the scene is hen Andy is about to be 'thrown of the roof' and the scene cuts away to the reactions of his fellow inmates.

                                 

For a better and more common example of cutaways in media, the TV series 'Family Guy' is renound for its use of cutaways from its action, however, this are much more sporadic than when used in movies and in this instance is used very commonly and for comedic action, this being used can be viewed here:

Another example of a technique missing from this scene is the use of jump-cuts, jumps-cuts are used to show time moving forward, they are generally the exact same shot, however they are taken at completely different times, these are now scene as violations of 'classic' continuity editing, however, they are used commonly in movies nowadays, they are used to show time progression and development of a scene, generally happening in action type of movies and not in dramas. A good example of this happening in a film would be: 

Cross cutting also does not feature in the piece of 'The Shawshank Redemption in which I chose to analyse. Cross-cutting is used to go forwards and backwards in time, this is used so that the clips are not in a linear fashion which can become stale and boring very quickly, however, cross-cutting can be used to show the exact moment something important happened in the past through the means of a flashback or flash-forward this is a way of moving drama forward and can break up action to enhance tension of the narrative. A good example of cross-cutting being used is in: Inception and can be viewed here: