Forrest Gump Essay Plan
Question:
Robert Zemeckis’ film, Forrest Gump, poses the philosophical debate of destiny versus chance.
Explain how this shown through filmic techniques in the key scenes of the film.
Introduction:
• Broad but interesting opening statement about the film (try not to be too opinionated)
• Include title and director
• Describe main character and state actor
• State other main characters
• State key scenes (if you haven’t already done so)
Paragraph 1:
This is a set-up paragraph. Try to briefly explain the themes of destiny and chance using the quotations to help you:
• Forrest: “I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze”
• Mrs Gump: “Life was like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get.”
Paragraph 2: Opening Scene - Feather
How does this scene coincide with either destiny or chance?
Use the quotation, questions and the headings to help you:
• Tom Hanks: “Our destiny is only defined by how we deal with the chance elements to our lives?”
• What happens in this scene?
• How does it establish Forrest as the main character?
• When does it take place?
• Filming, crane, camera shot, bench, real feather, symbolism, blue screen, framing narrative and flashback.
Paragraph 3: Make Me a Bird
How does this scene coincide with either destiny or chance?
Use the quotation and the headings to help you:
• Young Jenny: “Dear God, make me a bird. So I could fly far. Far far away from here.”
• Jenny’s father, praying, symbolism of the bird, Jenny’s future, innocence and freedom.
Paragraph 4: Run Forrest Run - Parts 1 & 2
How do these scenes coincide with either destiny or chance?
Use the quotation and the heading to help you:
Forrest: “My momma told me that miracles happen everyday. Some people don't think so, but they do.”
1: Slow motion, leg braces, miracle, Listening to Jenny, symbolism of “running away”, road, freedom, close up on Jenny and non-diegetic sound.
2: Compositing, stunt man, panning, mirroring scene, American football, All-Star team, camera shots.
Paragraph 5: Vietnam
How do these scenes coincide with either destiny or chance?
Think about Bubba and Forrest saving his fellow soldiers.
Use the quotations and the heading to help you:
• Lieutenant Dan: “We all have a destiny. Nothing just happens. It's all part of a plan!”
• Bubba: “Hey, Forrest. Forrest, why did this happen?”
• Setting Helicopters, Lt Dan, rotoscoping, , music, CGI, missing home, crane, death, dummies, gunfire, casualties.
Paragraph 6: OPTIONAL
This is optional, but if you wish to write another paragraph choose any remaining key scene/event.
Some examples:
• Running across America
• Bubba Gump Shrimping
• John Lennon Interview
• “I know what love is”
Conclusion:
• Briefly describe the closing scenes
• Discuss Little Forrest, loss and the feather
• Finish by giving your opinion on destiny and chance
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Helpful Links:
• Visual Effects:
www.tomhanks-online.com/media/video/detail/89/forrest-gump-visual-effects• Forrest Gump: Making Of... Feather sequence:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ2SWXwoYwQ• Film Education Resources:
www.filmeducation.org/resources/film_library/getfilm.php?film=1494More helpful vocabulary:
• Degrading
• Morphing
• Coincidence
• Characterisation
• Historical
• White
• Irony
- Lyrics