Pre-Production: "Missing Eva"

As pre-production continues, one exciting decision is how we will introduce the title "Missing Eva" at the beginning of our film. The way we present the title sets the tone for the entire movie to follow, so we put a lot of thought into how we want it to appear. After watching the title sequence in Catch Me If You Can (2002), we were inspired to create something visually bold and fitting for the story we're telling. 

The Title Scene From Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002)

This opening title sequence is a great example of how we want to incorporate the films title into the action going on. The credits slide onto the frame in a smooth way which align with the films tone. The movement of titles matches the fast pace of the visuals which can make the opening scene engaging with the audience. We were drawn to the idea of sliding titles, but not static and hard to read text. The Catch Me If You Can sequence made us think about how we could use movement to introduce our own title, "Missing Eva", in a way that would enhance the weight of the moment (Eva being taken). This is especially important in our film, where tension is key.

Our Idea:

The opening scene includes a shot where Eva is last seen, being driven away by the stalker. We want the title sequence to appear as the car drives off with her, building a sense of urgency from the start. The car pulling away reflects the idea of Eva becoming "missing", while the motion of the title sliding behind the car symbolizes the her vanishing.

How we plan to execute this:

• The Setup: The camera will be stationary on the side of the road using a tripod to give the shot a steady look. This will enhance the idea that the audience is just watching from a distance, just like the stalker or an unseen person.

•The Car in Motion: As the stalker's car drives off with Eva inside, the camera will be still, maintaining a focus on the car as it crosses the screen. We'll make sure that the movement of the car feels slow which will allow the audience to read the title while also enhancing the suspense.

•Sliding the Title: As the car drives away, the title "Missing Eva" will slide behind the car in a smooth transition. The letters will travel across the screen from one side to the other, staying in sync with the car's motion. After the car is gone and the title is sitting across the screen, it will begin slowly fading out and becoming less visible, symbolizing Eva's gradual disappearance. This representation will show the theme of her being taken, as the audience is left with the idea she is slowly being erased. 

The title's gradual fading behind the car matches the theme of the film—Eva's abduction and her leaving to the unknown. The idea that her name is literally "fading" out of the shot symbolizes her being taken away and will give a sense of fear. One potential challenge with this idea is making sure that the title feels natural and doesn't distract from the tension of the scene. We want the title to enhance the moment, not overpower it. To ensure this, we plan on keeping the title simple and straightforward, using a clean font that matches the tone of the film. We'll also need to focus on the timing of the title's movement to ensure it looks fluid and doesn't distract from the car driving away.