Catch Me If You Can Title Sequence Designer

The Catch Me If You Can Title Sequence

Typography That Shows a Story

Since its initial release in 2002, the opening sequence of Catch Me If You Can has become an icon within the film industry. Designed by Florence Deygas and Oliver Kuntzel, the main title (which can be viewed below) includes Ray Larabie's Coolvetica typeface with hyperextended glyphs, forming the objects and credits throughout the sequence. The lines move in and out of view as they draw attention to the appearance and disappearance of the typography. The continuous moving lines act as a representation of the ongoing game of cat-and-mouse between Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Detective Hanratty (Tom Hanks) throughout the film, and are used as entrances and exits for the characters while becoming interactive as they form straws, ladders, and laneways.

Title Sequence for Catch Me If You Can

Stamps, Stamps, and More Stamps!

Before Deygas and Kuntzel touched pen to paper, Steven Spielberg knew that he wanted to create the charm of a "human hand" in the final production of the sequence to reflect the feeling of the sixties era. Instead of resorting to the use of high-end technology, Deygas and Kuntzel went back to basics by imagining the characters in stamp form, made from the same cutters as those used in the film by con artist, Frank Abagnale Jr; they wanted to preserve that crudeness to reflect the overall tone of the film. Over four months, the pair hand-carved stamps of each character's body, which were then pressed hundreds of times onto paper, cut out with no real precision in mind, and scanned to move along a computer-animated backdrop. The original stamps that were created are those that exist in the final product; characters with sixties haircuts, clothes, and postures, set the tone for the film's time period, and the music by John Williams brought the feeling of the sixties to life!

But Why This Piece?

I chose this piece because I found it very interesting to watch a sequence where the images and typography interact to tell a story. Although kinetic typography has now become a staple within the film industry, it's not uncommon to see title sequences where type is in motion, but doesn't necessarily interact with the imagery to create an engaging narrative. When watching movies in theatres, I always find myself dreading the opening credits, and fast-forwarding through them when watching a movie at home. It's not very often that there's a sequence I genuinely want to watch. The opening credits of Catch Me If You Can almost act as a preface to the rest of the movie, giving me a little taste of what's to come, and leaving me wanting more! I was entertained and invested in the storyline of the film before the first character even stepped onto the screen, which I thought was a very clever way for the film creators to use this often dull time-slot, to their advantage.

Title Sequence for Spider-Man (2002)
Example of opening credits that use kinetic typography, but don't tell a story

The Art of Storytelling

Although not apparent at-first-watch, after digging a little deeper, I can see how this sequence acts as a symbol for the art of design and the process for creating strong advertisements. Design rule 101: all creative elements must complement each other in order to create a cohesive piece. Specifically in the advertising industry, the typographic and visual elements of an advertisement must interact to tell a story to consumers in order to cause some sort of response. The Catch Me If You Can title sequence is an untraditional example of the effectiveness of this interaction; the typographic elements interact directly with the visual elements to tell a story, which then causes a response from the audience: they become engaged in the storyline before the movie even starts.

Harley Davidson Print Ad
*Example of an advertisement that uses storytelling*

*Storytelling in the Catch Me If You Can title sequence*

A Unique Movie-Viewing Experience

I think the most notable impact that this sequence has on the audience, is its ability to build interest before the movie even begins, and its ability to tell a story without the use of dialogue; relying only on the interaction between type and imagery. This is significant to the audience because it allows them to engage with the plot in a unique way. It allows them to ask questions, make predictions, it creates a sense of wonder, and leaves them wanting more. The Catch Me If You Can title sequence creates a more engaging movie-viewing experience for the audience, and is a prime example of why it's effective to use every element of the movie to push the storyline.

I have a message for all the movie producers who may be reading this: if you can find a way to engage the audience in the story during the opening credits of the movie (a time when most viewers still haven't put down their phones), don't hesitate to do it!!!! – Sincerely, all movie-lovers.

Sources:

https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/catch-me-if-you-can/ https://fontsinuse.com/uses/7747/catch-me-if-you-can-2002-title-sequence