Sound-Image Relational Analysis: The Shawshank

Within the Shawshank Redemption, about fifty percent of the score is made up of straight parallel sound-image, which reinforces the realism of the filmed digenesis from the soundtrack.  This parallel sound refers to the sound that matches the accompanying images, using the technique known  as cross-cutting. As well, the ambiguous diegetic and non-diegetic sound throughout the story play a significant role in establishing mood to the audience. For instance, the opening scene is an example of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound setting the tone. The opening titles of the film display non-diegetic sound as we hear the song “If I Didn’t Care” by the Ink Spots, without an accompanying image to support where it’s coming from, the sound is ambiguous and non-diegetic in nature. The sound then turns into diegetic as the camera shot of Andy’s radio comes into view, this shows the source of the sound and marks it as diegetic. Both non-diegetic and diegetic sounds can create an ambience and feeling of tension, although cheerfully sounding, the lyrics of the song tell more then the melody. Many scenes involved this ironic contrasts between the tone and the surroundings. On several occasions the background music is cheerful and upbeat while the physical settings and scenery are dark, dreary and depressing, particularly within the prison settings.

The Shawshank redemption, being a narrative film, has a narrative film soundtrack. This means the sounds create a particular structure allowing the viewer to identify with characters, objects, and themes that are in the center and in the peripheral of the narrative. Throughout the movie, the sound runs parallel to the storyline of the movie, accentuating certain points of interest when necessary. During these points of interest, the sound is more often than not, defining the picture, to relay the themes of hope and despair upon the audience. Composer, Thomas Newman manages to strategically balance the grim tones of prison life within the walls of Shawshank with the inspirational influences of hope. This mixture of sounds affecting mood, builds upon the plays dramatic elements of tension and empowerment, enhancing the audiences understanding of the story. Overall, the movie uses sounds that both leads and synergizes with the images.

The major synergistic, leading, and paradoxical elements at play within the Shawshank Redemption are that of voiceovers and the soundtrack music itself. For starters, the voice-over effects are well placed and really help deliver the emotion the narration is trying to convey to the audience. Perhaps the most effective voiceover occurs during the narration of Brooks letter to Andy. The background music during the narration is made up of a piano beat, adding a sympathetic and sorrowful tone to the narration, further supporting the theme of lost hope through its synergy. Similar to Brooks narration, is that of Red’s upon his release from prison. The same background music is apparent, with the thematic piano beat, emphasizing the theme of hope or loss of it. This voiceover narration has the same synergetic component as the other one, only it also introduce the element of a paradox, because the mood of sorrow is introduce, only to later be contradicted by a cheerful and positive mood and outcome. This change in mood marks Red’s restored hope of a life outside Shawshank. Lastly, the voiceover of Andy when Red is reading the letter he left for him, instructing him to come to Mexico is another example. The voiceover narration synergizes with the diegetic sounds of Red’s surroundings, such as birds chirping, giving the impression Red is hearing Andy speaking the words of the letter in his head.

The music throughout the film plays an important role in contributing to the movies overall themes and moods. Composer, Thomas Neman uses a lot of orchestrated pieces of music in this film, particularly piano and string instrumentation. The most well recognized piece is the “Stoic Theme”, which highlights the scenes describing Andy’s entrance into Shawshank and the prison itself. This theme is a repetitive four-note motif performed by bass string and cello that seems to rise and fall, establishing a sense of wavering hope in relation to the image of the prison. This theme synergizes with the images, both working to complement the mood of one another. The second instance of music contributing to the film, and creating a sense of synergy, is the music that plays in the background when Andy escapes from prison. The music works hand in hand with the scene, because it plays on the notion of hope and Andy’s pursuit of freedom. The music has a monumental build to it, with the eventual climax coming when he rips his shirt off in the rain. Thus, this music works to fuel the theme of hope, and what can be achieved if one never gives up on it.