Forrest Gump
Codes and Conventions
Creation of Enigma
- In the beginning of the film we are able identify a signifier which is a feather floating around the city through the use of long shots and tracking camera movement. This creates enigma towards the audience because they have no idea what it’s significance is yet. However, it connotes innocence with the white feather as we stereotypically associate it with angels. This is also accompanied by a non-diegetic and diegetic sound in order to creates a sense of realism for the audience to understand that it will be something can relate to. The classical music (non diegetic) is played with a soft piano with strings accompanied which creates a sense of peacefulness, calm and happy mood. Near the character, he has a small suit case and a gift this creates enigma as we questions what it’s purpose.
Introduction to Characters
- We are introduced to a character through a close up shot of his legs and then camera tracks it towards his face as he picks up the feather. In the mise en scene we are able to distinguish that his costume such as his shoes are very muddy and this connotes that he has come a long way and we are able to also see how worn out it is. This then signifies his experience as a character as the feather landed on him. This character is also introduced at a city near a bus stop sitting in a very strict position. As we get a close up of his face, he has a neutral facial expression which is kind of unconventional as he seems unfamiliar of the place (setting) because we stereotypically get characters to be in a middle of an act in their daily routine whilst they’re being introduced whereas, the character in this is plainly sitting at a park bench and waiting for the bus ‘supposedly’. As he has a suitcase with him this connotes that he has been on quite a journey as we can distinguish he has multiple socks and shirts in his suitcase. He has have a children's book which is quite and unusual as to why and this could suggest that he has a son or this could reflect his personality.
Setting up the plot
- In the beginning, we are introduced to a feather being followed by the camera through a tracking camera movement. Through the use of non-diegetic music played by an orchestra and as the piano is prominent we can get a sense of an ‘adventurous’ theme in the beginning as it the feather lands on a specific person after it travelled quite a long way from the sky. Therefore, the audience could will form an expectation that it must be the main character and has a link with the feather.
Pace and Rhythm
- In this film opening no edits have been used except the use of camera movement tracking the main signifier which is the weather through the cities. In the mise en scene, we can identify a stereotypical setting such as the city and the bench in the ‘romantic comedy’. Moreover, as there is only one editing, it connotes that the narrative will have a reflection onto the whole narrative which means that this character will have a journey to tell.
Mood and Tone
- The mood and the tone of the film opening has a very calm, and tranquil mood. It also gives a sense of ‘drama’ and ‘fantasy’ because it is accompanied with a natural and high key lighting. This is reinforced through the use of non-diegetic sound which is played by an orchestra. We usually associate this type of sound to have an ‘adventurous’ and an ‘inspiring theme. The non-diegetic sound is also accompanied with a diegetic sound to create a sense of realism to introduced the narrative which means it will be relatable.
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