Research Task - Catch Me If You Can - Dilys

Catch me if you can has an extraordinary opening for the credits, a cartoon of the main character Frank in mini stories of him escaping and tricking characters. It is very effective as an opening as it is fast paced and entertaining it also helps set the theme of the film as it suggests it'll be action packed.

• The opening sequence for Catch Me If You Can is very interesting, it opens on a lively chat show with, laughter and fun music in the background, this contrasts with the rest of the film which is following the journey of quick-witted and clever Frank, so as an opening for a thriller it immediately sparks curiosity in the audience. Simplistic medium close up shots of the characters faces help introduce the character Frank. The three characters who are being interviewed are dressed in pilot uniform which suggests that they are well educated and middle class men.

• The camera then cuts to a completely contrasting place, there is a group of men dressed in black stood outside a prison. As the men are dressed in long black raincoats it suggests that they important they are also wearing black hats which has connotations of something spooky and evil. The heavy rain helps create the mood for the scene, perhaps it something miserable and gloomy, creating pathetic fallacy and is symbolic for a classic thriller opening. All the men are speaking quickly and over each other, implying that there is some urgency and excitement. The date stated on the screen is Christmas eve, this implies that what they are doing is very important, also as its outside a prison the audience can presume that there will be an element of crime within the film. The music although not fast it helps to build tension as its dramatic but not overly emphasized, which makes it enjoyable and the audience wanting to hear more.

• The medium long shot taken of inside the prison is very informative as we can see how the prison is cold and harsh through the dull painted walls and big metal doors, this again helps define an atmosphere and suggests a creepy element through the choice of colour. The first shot of Frank is taken through a small latch in his prison cell, the framing of Frank here is very significant as it is rectangular and he sits in it crouched over, implying that he is always trapped as a character and is weak and vulnerable. 

• A few shots later as Frank tries to run away through the prison, he is followed by a tracking shot at a high angle this again suggests that he is weak but also as the shot if taken from Tom Hank's characters point of view he is the one with the power and we can predetermine that the film have something to with him trying to catch Frank. As Frank runs through the prison the other prisoners bash their cups against the wire mess, this is very noisy and disturbing, it also helps to build suspense as the audience will want Frank to run. Frank is grubby and seems ill in the prison shots suggesting that his character although hero also has a bad side to him and seeks danger and thriller.