eXistenZ notes

1) narrative
- how does the story progress through time? straight through so
far...this may change if we get to see into the game... of course at
the end of the movie you realize that the storyline starts before we
being watching and we're really alreayd halfway into the story.
- how are the main characters revealed? When in the storyline? allegra
is introduced almost immediately, with a small bit of background. ted
was not given a name until after the main confrontation, with only a
job title as background. the background we think we have on them is
actually not about them at all, which is an intersting twist at the
end.
- what genre is the film? does it stay true to its genre or does it
break conventions? vaugely sci-fi, getting more so as the film oves
forward. it also uses elements of mystery and film noir.
- have you seen this storyline before? where? elements of the matrix -
bioports, virtual worlds, etc.

2) use of camera angles and perspective
- how does the director use camera angles to control point of view?
the use of basic shots is probably to make us feel like a part of the
game, which is supposed to seem more real than real life, so there
wouldn't be any bizarre angles.
- does the director use a predominate angle through out the film or a
variety? wide variety of shots - wide, close, panning, etc. a few
quick changes, but mostly standard shots.

3) content
- what are the main colors in the film? mostly dark, but things are
lit mostly in yellow with greys, blues, browns, and greens. dull
colors - nothing bright or too saturated. im assuming that we get to
see into the game the colors will shift into a brighter palate,
similar to the matrix. moving through the film we get more color in
the daylight - lots of green.
- how does the use of color effect the mood? the dark colors obviously
put the viewer in a dark state of mind. the brighter scenes contrast
with the dark music and mood to create an odd sense of 'safety' vs.
danger.
- how realistic or surreal is the environment? how does this play a
role in the narrative? the use of super-technology in a rustic/grungy
setting was definitely surrealistic.
- how does the film use or break stereotypes? very stereotypical in
the overuse of plot twists (actually all the same twist over and over
again)
- is the film beautiful or sublime? a combination of both
- what era of technology is the film? does this change during the
film? seems to be modern day but is shown to be more futuristic.
bizarre inventions (tooth gun). the settings themselves are more
rustic, in a contrast with the technology.


other notes:
- dramatic soundtrack even in intro credits
- country gas station...nice. chinese restaurant.
- male/female role reversal
- gas was far too suspicious when intorduced...his character being
revealed as a "bad guy" was unsuprising.
- vocab/language..."friendly"
- into game...location change, but not color/lighting change that i
expected...however, there are added colors in the movies - brighter,
more saturated accent colors (blue, red, etc)
- characters aware of themselves and their "characters" in game
- games within games...or not? traditional plot "twists"...are they
still in the game or not?
- repetition of characters being shot from behind before they can
shoot allegra... & repetition of lines/situations from game to
non-game/still in game or not?
- end twists still somewhat predictable...but the unresolved ending
was interesting.
- nice use of existentialism and transcendentalism...