"A Macguffin is a specific goal deemed important by the characters early on but that turns out to be irrelevant or worthless to the larger cause" - Lesson 17, Create tangible objects of desire (101 Things I Learned in Film School)
At the core, A Macguffin is simply a device used that can be a desired object, goal, etc... whose main purpose serves to propel the narrative onwards. According to my research, the director can enhance it's importance to the narrative as much or as little as he/she wants.
Forrest Gump - Timeline of Opening Sequence
1/10 - Opening shots show blue sky and feather. First titles that appear- production company "Paramount", the use of the backdrop of sky reflected the company logo without having to show it. Music fades in, quiet twinkling piano which reflects the lightness of the feather in shot (MacGuffin). MacGuffin reflects innocence the idea of a fairytale and the feather's journey documented through the tracking shot which runs throughout the first 2 minutes, which could be reflecting the journey of Forrest Gump throughout the narrative of the film.
2/10 - Start to see a definitive landscape here- urban area, however not a big city. Immediately tells us film is set in fairly modern period of time (1950's onwards). First titles continue- lead actor's name appears (Tom Hanks). Music continues, thicker texture than in the opening ten seconds, music on feather becomes more dominant. Light and "pretty" music connotes to fairytale.
3/10 - Tracking shot continues and shows more of the landscape as it travels with the feather- which is being carried by the wind, travels up +down etc... Music crescendos and layer of strings are added- texture builds.
4-6/10 - Titles continue to fade gently in and time period becomes apparent through subtle hints in landscape e.g. old cars. Involvement of church in shot- could be symbolising something? Dynamics of music subtly grow and fall with the movement of the feather.
1 minute into film
1/20 - The first time we see our protagonist is vaguely through the leaves of trees. We thought this could possibly reflect that perhaps he's overlooked by the rest of the world. Same musical motifs continue. Camera then moves to focus on a different man through following the feather- business man, looks more important- probable protagonist? Feather rests on man's shoulder then resumes it's travels. Flute and strings still evident, quiet bass. Different instrument use with inclusion of possible protagonist in shot.
2/20 - Feather drops slightly towards the ground and falters with the wind due to the gust of wind created by a car but resumes its natural course this time higher than before- could reflect how the bad things in life can make you stronger as a person. String segment grows louder during this sequence of shots, full orchestra heard now. Shot of bus driving past with the year "1981", melody changes every so often.
3/20 - (final twenty seconds) First impressions of Forrest Gump- homeless? The first shot is off his muddy trainers and the feather settling by his feet. Could reflect how he's been places, come a long way, has a story to tell. His first instinct is to pick up the feather which shows an act of compassion- shows he's a kind character. We see he has a gift for someone? Perhaps he's going to meet someone? Interesting compilation of objects in his briefcase- places the feather onto a similar background to that initially introduced- blue sky and clouds. Music calms and slows, hear twinkling of piano- music fades to just strings and high pitched notes.
Information gained from opening
- Current setting is in an urban space- a town of some sort, not a big city
- A man is sitting on a bench in a park looking like he's waiting for someone, yet he has a briefcase with him- containing strange compilation of objects. He comes across as a truly individual character- he wears a brightly coloured suit and muddy trainers suggesting he's been places and has a story to tell.
- The scene takes place in the year 1981
How this opening creates Enigma
- Audience wants to find out more about this character-
- Is he waiting for someone?
- What's his personality like- what's his story?- I think the strange combination
of a brightly coloured suit and trainers stimulate this question, as first appearances
play an important part in first impressions of a character.
- What are the objects in his suitcase and why are they there?
- Who is the gift for? Is it a gift?
- The travelling of the feather also stimulates enigma before it settles because you want to know where it's going to end up and why- the reasoning for the use of the Macguffin of a feather I assume will become clearer to those who already know the narrative and can make parallels between the two.
As I haven't yet watched this movie, it is difficult to pin point exactly what has been given away about the narrative throughout the first two minutes. However, most of the questions listed above are what went through my mind when watching this opening.
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