Forrest Gump

AMC World Premire

09.16.12 | B. Phillhower

Treatment: Form + Content

Overview

Forrest Gump is a story about a simple man with a lower than average I.Q. and the adventures he embarks on throughout his existence. Forrest is presented with various obstacles in his lifetime, such as going to war, falling in love, and dealing with death in the family. While Forrest overcomes each difficulty that is thrown his way, he never fully grasps the significance or magnitude of situation at hand. It is this sense of naivety and innocence that makes Forrest such a lovable character; Gump deals with each situation one by one with a sense of humor and wit. Gump learns a valuable lesson from each life experience. It is as if Forrest is overcomes each obstacle that life throws his way. The purpose for this piece is to capture the growth and maturity that Gump gains from each situation that he encounters. This piece highlights the theme of overcoming adversity throughout his life. The aim of this piece is to highlight a memorable part of the storyline that serves as a metaphor for the entire movie. This animation will depict a pair of legs in braces (resembling the leg braces Forrest wore as a kid in the movie). Trapped and held back from real movement, walking or running, the legs will act out several movements in which they seem to be stuck or held back by the leg braces. After an assortment of different cuts showing a struggle, the braces break and fall off, allowing the legs to run off free. This animation will not only depict Forrest overcoming an actual event in his life that was portrayed in the movie, it will symbolize all of the obstacles that Forrest overcomes throughout the movie as a whole.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This piece is simple, numerous cuts from different angles all focused on a pair of legs and the braces that are causing the legs to not function properly. The cuts will be edited together to focus on the struggle between the master of the legs and the restraints of the leg braces. The composition is going to be quite simple, an all white backdrop will force all of the focus to be put on the legs. Cuts from different vantage points will create a more dynamic portrayal of the struggle for freedom. Once the legs are free from the restraints, the legs will walk or run away from the braces (leaving the composition) and leave them laying on the ground, this is when the titles will appear describing the time and network that the movie will be premiering on. One approach that could add humor to the piece would be making the braced legs do an assortment of dance moves, as if they do not care about being constrained the piece could also end with the braces falling off and the

WHAT DOES IT MOVE LIKE?

The camera will be staying still throughout the piece but there will be numerous hard cuts from different angles and vantage points. The braced legs will be moving and struggling to do so in a variety of fast jerky movements, until the braces finally break free which allows the legs to move freely and smoothly. The type will then be animated over a blank canvas, with the remains of the braces on the ground.

WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?

Sound is going to play a very important role in this piece, mirroring the exact movements of the legs and brace mechanisms struggling to move. Each jerk and pull on the braces will need to have a memorable sound attached to it. Once the legs break free of the constraints, a song will start playing as they freely walk off of the composition and the titles animate on to the screen.

Reference: Style

Breakdown: Concept

Keywords

Innocence Live-Shot Simplicity Free spirited Brightness Hopeful Unpretentious Contrasting

Optimistic Focus Trusting Struggle Overcoming Sincerity Conquering Loving

Grace Clean Inner-monologue Honesty Friendship Practice Vantage point Careless

Theme

Pick one single idea that you think encapsulates the piece.

Overcoming
A focused, real life depiction of a young mans struggle to overcome and conquer adversity in hopes of living life to its fullest.

Thesis

This is a one-liner that sums up the entire piece

Storyboard: Animated Piece

Opening part of the compositon, focused close to the knee of the leg, then camera pulls out to reveal the rest of the leg.

First movements of the leg, the legs show signs of struggling to move due to the braces.

numerous cuts from different vantage pionts showing the legs wrestleing with the braces.

The pair of legs conquers the restraints and walks out of the frame fully as the braces fall to the ground.

The type animats on to the screen with the detailed information sliding out from behind the amc network logo.

Final scene only focuses on the logo of the network.a