Opening sequence of Forrest Gump

The opening sequence of Forrest Gump follows a feather floating around the town. Wide shots are used in the opening sequence to show the feather travelling all around the town. The camera pans and tilts according to the movement of the feather. The feather is the main prop used in the mise en scene of the opening scene, as it is the main focus. The feather is a white colour which connotes with innocence and purity. It can also represent fate and freedom because it can land anywhere, in this case near the character’s feet. Other props are used to emphasise the scene e.g. Forrest’s suitcase, where is contains things like children’s books. Which can also resemble innocence but also a new life. There is a close up on Forrest Gump dirty shoes, with the feather near his right shoe. This is juxtaposes with the tidy suitcase, that contains toothpaste, clothes etc.

Lighting used is natural and no artificial lighting is used to make the dull, cloudy sky evident, as there is no sun rising or appearing, which indicates a sad atmosphere. However, as the music starts the light gets brighter which indicates hope. The natural light links in to the idea that the opening sequence is set in an ordinary place in a typical town.
The whole opening sequence is one single shot meaning that the camera angle doesn't change much till the bus arrives at the bus stop. The feather has been edited in and out of the scene, as the  feather that was followed by the camera is different from the feather that landed on Forrest's foot. This editing allows audience to focus on the representation of the feather in this scene. The genre is likely to be a romance, due to the soft, romantic music used.