In the iconic film The Shawshank Redemption, there is a memorable scene where Andy (played by Tim Robbins) visits the library to start working as Brooks' assistant. During this scene, Brooks' pet crow, Jake, is squawking loudly in the background.
To ensure that Robbins’ line, "Hey, Jake. Where's Brooks?" was delivered clearly and without being drowned out by the crow’s squawks, Robbins had to carefully calculate time. Since the bird could not be trained to squawk on cue, Robbins studied its patterns and adapted his performance accordingly. He watched the crow closely, waiting for it to squawk before delivering his line, demonstrating impressive improvisation and timing.
This careful adjustment allowed his dialogue to come through clearly despite the noisy environment. Writer and Director Frank Darabont praised Robbins for his skillful improvisation and attention to detail in this scene. Robbins’ ability to adapt on the spot highlights his professionalism and dedication to delivering a natural performance, even in unpredictable circumstances like working with an untrained bird.
