 The close up of Andys hands loading the revolver in the opening  scenes are actually the hands of Frank Darabont (qv). Later in the  film while Andy carves his name into his cell wall (seen twice in  the film), Darabonts hands are used as well in the insert shot.  These close ups were inserts that were filmed during post  production, notably because Darabont felt that only he could do  exactly what he wanted in the close ups.