Evaluation- Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? In my film exchange the main concept is character development throughout the film, the characters (Tomos ) emotional state will change and adapt to the eerie and perverse world of ‘Exchange’ in which a British family groom him into their dead son. Donnie Darko is strong influence for the cinematography and pace of plot of my film, Jake Gyllenhall portrays a similar malleability to our German teenager. (a)

Sound in a thriller opening is key to enhance the logistics of this genre, you can intensify a situation just by adding the correct sound effects or track. The aim for our thriller was to ease the viewer in with a slow European sounding track and then later create a tense off-putting ambience to make to viewer feel awkward and unsure what could occur. Our two soundtracks suggest this European feel we are aiming for, and also suggest a possibility of isolation, misery and something wrong surrounding the characters and location. Hallam Foe an independent film four film starring Jamie Bell had very complimentary soundtrack, that became so demanded a cd release was made. It featured many alternative tracks that wouldn’t be obvious choices, I believe our film would have this certain quality to enhance emotion and setting. For example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duZ4rj5-fpY this trailer depicts the sort of sound we would aim for in this case upbeat ‘orange juice’ is used although the film is partially dark.

The titles of a thriller genre are there to inform but also be incredibly suggestive about the tone and style of the film. Our choice is a fairly modern (almost pop art style), abstract, bold white font that shows the film is not in your face about it genre but subtle and indices you into a mystery that presents our contemporary and art house side of the audience. Our choice of positioning is simple, understated and present what needs to inform about our cast. Gus van Sant’s ‘Paranoid park’ uses incredibly simple yet effective font and style, a rounded white font. They appear fairly slowly a merge from one into another, this is the effect we I want to achieve as ‘Exchange’ is art house/Thriller and is not loud and in your face. The effect of subtle titles, shows that there is something unnerving in the future about to happen, it leaves the viewer guessing and asking questions. (b)

Our narrative structure for our opening is very simple and open for interpretation, we hope the audience picks up on the fact Tomos is in an unfamiliar environment and that he is alone and bewildered. We create this by medium scale opening shot including both main character and locations; Tomos and London. We use close ups to present the characters emotion. Skewed shots also have been used to make the viewer uncertain and slightly offput. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKUyjej2PKg ‘Mysterious skin’ has a nice smooth style of editing, slow and painfully allows the viewer into the controversial subject it is based around (bi-sexuality and prostitution), I believe my film tackles the issue of crazed domestic violence and it has to be tastefully done, otherwise it will look inappropriate or just crude.

Camerawork is entirely important to a thriller, especially a psychological thriller, ‘Blow Up’ Michelangelo Antonioni’s mod thriller is very clean yet abstract, this camerawork technique is very effective for the art house/ psychological thriller vibe we are aiming for. Including the character at awkward angles and having long close ups will add to the tension a thriller so very needs. The camerawork around locations also inspires ‘Exchange’ as it takes in both location and situation of character which is vitally important for a thriller revolved around a singular person- although my film differs a great deal in sound, editing and plot the style is appropriate and adds an element realism to the film. (c) (d) (d) (c) (b) (a)

BJH