Pre-Production: Inspiration

As part of the creative process in pre-production, I wanted to explore how elements of other films could help influence the work of ours. I'm taking inspiration from the awkward first date scene in the 2014 movie Blended starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Although Blended and Missing Eva have different themes and tones, there are specific moments in the Blended scene that I can apply to the awkwardness of two strangers meeting for the first time in our film.

The Awkward First Date Scene in the Film Blended (2014)

In Blended, the first date between Adam Sandler's and Drew Barrymore's characters is extremely awkward. It takes place in a restaurant where they're trying to lighten the tension of a first date. This scene also shows the cultural clash between the two main characters, which can be applied in our film. Sandler's character is shown as rude and impolite, compared to Barrymore's character which is shown as polished and proper. We can take inspiration from this when telling our actors what to wear and subtle actions to use when filming to show the contrast between Eva and the stalker. The awkward silences, laughter, and physical gestures show that the characters don't know how too interact with each other. This moment in the film shows that it's very important for us as filmmakers to understand the nature of awkward encounters between strangers. In our film, Missing Eva, we're filming a scene where two strangers meet for the first time with completely different context—the tension of meeting someone you've only spoken to online. 

The Difference in Tone: Blended vs. Missing Eva

Though the tone of blended is more comedic and lighthearted, the tone of Missing Eva couldn't be more different. In our film, Eva meets a guy she's only talked to online. This could be seen as a romantic encounter, but the atmosphere is completely changed because we're quickly shifting from an awkward first meeting to an unsettling situation. Instead of a casual dinner, Eva and her date meet at the top of a parking garage, setting the tone for the danger that will follow.

In Missing Eva, Eva is excited, but there's also clear hesitation. Her excitement includes unease, which will build throughout the scene. In contrast, the characters in Blended still have humor to fall back on, so their awkwardness isn't as tense. Eva's awkwardness has a different approach. She doesn't have the same humor, which makes the situation filled with uncertainty. She doesn't know if this guy looked different than he described or if he is the person she thinks he is at all. 

Building on the Awkwardness:

The moment Eva meets the stalker has a lot of discomfort to it. She's trying to be polite, but there's an undertone of unease. This mirrors the awkwardness in Blended, but in a darker more unsettling context. The beginning of the conversation goes like this:

Stalker: Eva?
Eva: Hi!
Eva and the stalker hug
Stalker: It is so nice to see your face in person.
Eva: Yours too. Honestly, you look different than you described.
Stalker: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Eva: A good thing.
Eva: So, what are we doing?
Stalker: If you're down, I know a good ice cream shop down the road.
Eva: Okay, I can meet you there!
Stalker: No, no, let me take you there, it’s not far.
Eva: Alright (there’s hesitation, but she still seems excited).

This dialogue shows the subtle discomfort of meeting someone without knowing exactly what they look like or what to expect. The dynamic of tension mixed with uncertainty is what we want to capture, building on the awkwardness of Blended but using it to set up a much darker narrative.