'Catch Me if You Can' Title Sequence Evaluation

Dreamworks Pictures Presents
A Kemp Company and Splendid Pictures Production
A Parkes/Macdonald production
A Steven Spielberg film
Leonardo Di Caprio
Tom Hanks
Catch Me if You Can
Christopher Walker
Martin Sheen
Nathalie Baye
Amy Adams
James Brolin
Brian Have
Frank John Hughes
Steve Easton
Chris Ellis
John Finn
Casting By Debra Zane
Casting Associate Terri Taylor
Co Producer Devorah Moss-Hankin
Based upon the book by Frank W. Abagnale
With Stan Redding
Titles by Kuntzel Deygas
Music by John Williams
Costume Designer Marj Zophnes
Editor Michael Kahn, ACE
Production Designer Jeannine Oppewall
Director of Photography Janisz Icaninski
Co-Executive Producer Daniel Lupi
Executive Producer Barry Kemp Laurie Macdonald
Michael Shane Ray Ronald
Produced by Steven Spielberg
Walter F Parkes
Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson
Directed by Steven Spielberg
The final film title sequence that I have chosen to evaluate is ‘Catch Me if you Can’ famously directed by Steven Spielberg. This opening sequence is very different from the conventional or typical introductory sequence because it is purely animation, contrasting to the remainder of the film, which is in a real life setting. The sequence is in the style of famous graphic designer Saul Bass (cutout silhouette style) who was famous for creating titles, movie posters in the sixties/seventies. Throughout the sequence the titles are integrated into the animation so the names appear seamless on screen. For example the ‘L’ Nathalie Baye is extended to create the shape of a straw with two people having a conversation. This is consistent throughout and works very effectively to create a flowing effect. The typeface is a bold sans serif font which is a very neutral font. The font itself (Helvetica Bold) expresses no real emotion and is used in the real world for everyday signs as it is very neutral. This makes it clear and easy for the viewer to read, which is essential when there is so much else going on in the frame. Finally, The transitions between the titles are built into the animation. Rather than popping up randomly next to an image (like most title sequences). This way of introducing peoples names is built into the objects of the animation. Such as the thin parts of the letters extend to create road markings, ladders, straws and ropes and lights. By building the names into the animation gives the feeling of who is behind the scenes of the film.