Talk:Changeling (film)

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[edit] Verifiable sources for this movie

Much of the available information about this movie comes from sources that are not verifiable. For instance there appears to be no confirmed source for the name currently listed in this article for Angelina Jolie's character. The cast listing in the IMDb is also suspect. I believe we should be careful in updating this article and use information from reliable sources such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times and other newspapers of record.

We should also be careful about spoiling the movie for potential viewers. This movie is based upon actual tragic events in Los Angeles that were front page news for nearly three years. Since this film will not be released until the end of 2008, we do not know to what degree the film will correspond to the actual case. For instance, character names may not correspond to the real people who were involved.--Dan Dassow (talk) 17:51, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Changeling_(film)#_note-LA_Weekly_20071219 indicates the names of the characters are based on the names of the real people. Note: Many of the cast members listed in the IMDb have no other source. As this information becomes available in the press, citations should be added.--Dan Dassow (talk) 11:58, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Page should be moved to Changeling (film)

This film is not called "The Changeling", even though the IMDb incorretly says so at the moment. It will simply be called "Changeling", so I suggest to move this article to Changeling (film). Sources for the correct title: "Changeling" correction, Clint Eastwood: The Set Whisperer. EnemyOfTheState (talk) 16:43, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

The correct title for this film is Changeling (2008) as EnemyOfTheState points out. This is the title mentioned in the original Variety article (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960798.html?categoryid=13&cs=1) announcing the production and the Universal Pictures website (http://www.universalpictures.com/). However, there is another film mentioned in the IMDb with the title Changeling (2008) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462225/). Unfortunately, the IMDb and the Hollywood press have also referred to the Straczynski-Eastwood-Jolie film as the The Changeling. We need to keep this in mind when correcting the title to reduce confusion.--Dan Dassow (talk) 17:32, 18 January 2008 (UTC)
The manual of style for films reckons that "In the rare case that multiple films of the same name are produced in the same year, include additional information such as the country of origin like Film Title (2007 US film) or a descriptive adjective such as Film Title (2007 animated film). Considering they're both US films, something along the lines of the latter would be OK, I guess. Probably more appropriate for the other Changling film to go to Changling (2008 fantasy film) or some such, considering this is a straight-up drama. Best regards, Steve T • C 18:26, 18 January 2008 (UTC)
Sorry, I forgot about the comment I made here. Anyway, if I understand your responses correctly, you are both in favor of moving this page to represent the correct title Changeling? So we could either go with Changeling (2008 drama film), or keeping it simpler Changeling (film), since the other film mentioned above doesn't have its own article at the moment and might never have one, as it seems to be a rather low-profile independent film, from its IMDb entry. Should the other film ever get its own page, we could still move this article to a more descriptive title. I'm fine with either solution. EnemyOfTheState (talk) 00:54, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
Oh yeah, forgot about this too. Done now. All the best, Steve T • C 00:59, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Spoilers moved to article Wineville Chicken Murders

Since this film will not debut until October or November of 2008, I thought it best to move spoilers about the plot of the film to seperate article, Wineville Chicken Murders, a kidnapping and murder case that received wide publicity between 1928 and 1930.--Dan Dassow (talk) 05:17, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia has a policy of publishing spoilers, and someone may feel that your changes go against this policy. But I think the changes are OK for now, because 1) the incident is notable enough to warrant its own article, and 2) until the film is released and the plot becomes known, we don't know what the makers are doing with it. Still, it's worth noting that should bona fide information become available about the film, attempts to keep the article spoiler-free will probably fail. All the best, Steve T • C 09:40, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Templates

I suggest the templates be changed from {{cite web}} to {{cite news}} -- sources like Variety and the rest are news-reporting sources. Nice revision, though! :) —Erik (talk • contrib) - 13:48, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! I'll get on with your suggestion now. Steve T • C 13:54, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Headlines

A few headlines that I had in my Google Alerts. —Erik (talk • contrib) - 17:04, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

  • PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: Mauritius — A Threepenny Opera Jason Butler Harner is now heading for the West Coast to do a movie, "The Changeling," with Clint Eastwood directing. ... "It's got a bunch of good actors in it" [by his definition, New York stage actors: Reed Birney, Denis O'Hare, Frank Wood, Amy Ryan]. It's going to be made in Los Angeles, and I play a horrible, horrible, wonderful person." Note: Playbill has the title wrong.
  • Amy Ryan Checks In

Who do you play in The Changeling?
I befriend [a character played by] Angelina Jolie. Both characters end up in really dire situations. And I kind of teach her how to survive. I help her through her darkest hour because I've been there a little longer than she has. But if I tell you where, it gives away a plot point.

You play a woman of the night?
Yeah, that's right. It's set in 1928. They were actually called soiled doves, which is nicer than saying [in her best Boston accent] She's a hook-ah!

--Dan Dassow (talk) 22:16, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

I've struck out those used so far. Thanks, Steve T • C 09:46, 30 January 2008 (UTC)
OK, they're all struck now, but I'd like some opinions on whether Harner's mention in the Playbill cite of Reed Birney, Denis O'Hare and Frank Wood is considered strong enough to add these names to the article. Thanks, Steve T • C 11:48, 30 January 2008 (UTC)
Of the three actors mentioned, Frank Wood (actor) is the only actor listed in the IMDb Changeling's credits and his role is not listed. His Wikipedia article is marginal and should be fleshed out since he won the Tony Award in 1999 for Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for Side Man. Regardless, the roles for Reed Birney, Denis O'Hare and Frank Wood (actor) are likely to be minor with only Amy Ryan having a major role. I believe this is quotation is more of an indication that Jason Butler Harner prefers stage acting. From doing the research the Jason Butler Harner article, I know that Jason Butler Harner has worked with Amy Ryan on at least two stage productions. I mentioned the article primarily because of the phrase "I play a horrible, horrible, wonderful person."--Dan Dassow (talk) 13:20, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Notorious pedophile dies in prison
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
In the News: Forensic phychology, criminology, and psychology-law
Dr. Karen Franklin, Ph.D., forensic psychologist in Northern California and an adjunct professor at Alliant International University

(A little stream of consciousness here - I was just over at San Quentin this morning, and happened to observe filming of an upcoming Clint Eastwood movie, "The Changeling," about the bizarre events surrounding a man sentenced to hang for the murder-rape-kidnaps of little boys back in the 1920s. Very cool vintage taxi they had driving up and down by the main prison gate; I believe star Angelina Jolie will be riding in it in the movie, although neither she nor Eastwood were in evidence at the prison today.)
--Dan Dassow (talk) 18:02, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Blogs are not usually considered reliable sources by Wikipedia, though there are occasional exceptions. My inclination is therefore to reluctantly leave this source to one side, but if anyone else is reading this, guidance on the usability of this source would be welcome. Steve T • C 23:37, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Steve, it looks like the link to reference 21 Changeling_(film)#_note-10 got corrupted. I could only find the article in the Los Angeles Times archive. I hesitated to do a copy edit since the link is extremely long.
SCRIPTLAND; The big name gets distracted; J. Michael Straczynski's `Changeling' caught Ron Howard's eye, but then another project pulled Howard's focus.
[HOME EDITION]
Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles, Calif.
Author: Jay A. Fernandez
Date: Oct 11, 2006
Start Page: E.2
Section: Calendar; Part E; Calendar Desk
Text Word Count: 966

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1143501161.html?dids=1143501161:1143501161&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+11%2C+2006&author=Jay+A.+Fernandez&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=E.2&desc=SCRIPTLAND%3B+The+big+name+gets+distracted%3B+J.+Michael+Straczynski%27s+%60Changeling%27+caught+Ron+Howard%27s+eye%2C+but+then+another+project+pulled+Howard%27s+focus.
--Dan Dassow (talk) 11:40, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

Ah, thanks for checking that out; I don't know what happened. I've amended the link accordingly to point to the pay version, which is still verifiable and considered a good source. Though if anyone has the means of obtaining the full text, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction. Nice work getting rid of those redlinks on Harner and Cox, btw. Steve T • C 11:49, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13119
The Comic Wire
Posted: February 24, 2008
WONDERCON: SPOTLIGHT ON STRACZYNSKI
by Erik Amaya, Contributing Writer

On the film front, his first major film just wrapped. "The Changeling" is directed by Clint Eastwood and produced by Ron Howard, starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich. Straczynski said, "they shot the first draft; no changes." It is due out in November.

I am not certain whether "The Comic Wire" would be considered a reliable source or if the article should mention that "they shot the first draft [of the script]; no changes."--Dan Dassow (talk) 01:00, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3366&Itemid=99
IESB.net - The Movie Reporter
Interview: Amy Ryan Joins Eastwood’s The Changeling!
Written by Rachel Howard
Friday, 28 September 2007
Amy Ryan will join Angelina Jolie in the upcoming film The Changeling directed by Clint Eastwood.

Q: Can you give us any story information?

AMY: I don’t think I’m allowed to . . .

Q: Not even your character?

AMY: Her name’s Carol.

Dan Dassow (talk) 11:55, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Origin of Title

The title is based on the European folklore and folk belief that a changeling is the offspring of a fairy, troll, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child.

I was not certain whether this should be included in the lead paragraph. I also have not been able to find a citation to support this, although this is consistent with the story line.

Also, does the following template still apply? {{film needs cast section}} It seems that the article now has sufficient information about the cast and the crew, discussing the "behind the scenes" aspects of the production process to justify removing this template.--Dan Dassow (talk) 12:43, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Devon Gearhart

Devon Gearhart does not appear have a major role in Changeling. He also does not have a sufficient acting resume or is otherwise notable to justify an article about him. As such, it would be inappropriate at this time to include him as one of the major cast members. --Dan Dassow (talk) 11:40, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

Indeed not, which is why I removed it after failing to find a source. However, they do need a kid for the picture, so it might not be complete rubbish... Steve T • C 11:46, 28 March 2008 (UTC)
The IMDB lists three actors with the first name Devon and one with the first name Devin: Devon Conti (Arthur Hutching, Jr.), Devon Gearhart (Jeffrey), Devon Sobieray (Shock Therapy Nurse) and Devin Brochu (Neighborhood Boy 1). Of the four, Devon Conti is the only one who has a major role. He is the boy shown with Angelina Jolie in the publicity photo at the train station.--Dan Dassow (talk) 12:11, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Screening Times at Cannes Film Festival

Posted on Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) website: (http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en.html)
Horaire des projections / Screenings Guide (http://www.festival-cannes.fr/assets/Pdf/General/pdf-9141.pdf)

MAR/TUE 20

8:30 am, 12:00 pm, 7:30 pm, WED 21 11:30 am
CHANGELING 2h21
(L’Échange) de Clint Eastwood

4:00 pm
DELTA 1h32
de Kornél Mundruczó

--Dan Dassow (talk) 17:04, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Clintwood Interview in LE MONDE 2

http://www.lemonde.fr/le-monde-2/article/2008/05/16/clint-eastwood-dans-les-tenebres-de-los-angeles_1045803_1004868.html
LE MONDE 2 | 16.05.08 | 11h37 • Mis à jour le 16.05.08 | 12h06
Clint Eastwood, dans les ténèbres de Los Angeles

Translation from French to English:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemonde.fr%2Fle-monde-2%2Farticle%2F2008%2F05%2F16%2Fclint-eastwood-dans-les-tenebres-de-los-angeles_1045803_1004868.html&sl=fr&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Clint Eastwood, in the darkness of Los Angeles
THE WORLD 2 | May 16, 2008 | 11:37 • Modified May 16, 2008 | 12:06

The article reveals how J. Michael Straczynski found out about the story, why Eastwood has an affinity for the story, why Eastwood believes the case was forgotten, Eastwood's tour of the Riverside farm, and that Eastwood was still working on the film in early May. --Dan Dassow (talk) 21:57, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Title being changed from "Changeling" to "The Exchange"

According to sites AFP and Screen Daily the title of the Clint Eastwood's film is being changed to "The Exchange". Here's an article from the site Screen Daily:

[[1]] Clint Eastwood's Changeling changes name Mike Goodridge in Cannes 19 May 2008 06:14

Clint Eastwood’s Changeling has undergone a transformation of its own, with the director changing the film’s title on the eve of its competition screening in Cannes. It will now be called The Exchange.The film, about a woman in 1920s Los Angeles whose son is kidnapped, has always been dubbed L’Echange in France and evidently Eastwood liked that title better.

[[2]] Here is the article from AFP:

CANNES, France (AFP) — Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie admitted they were unsure of the title of their new film which was due for its red-carpet premiere at Cannes later Tuesday. The picture was listed in the festival catalogue as "Changeling" but reporters received a press release from Universal Pictures Monday saying that the title had been altered to "The Exchange".

(talk) 14:12, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

It is not clear at this point whether or not the English title for this film has in fact be changed. During the Cannes press conference, Eastwood remained cryptic about that:
A reporter asked if the title Changeling been changed to The Exchange, which is the translation of the French title L'echange.
"That's news to us," Jolie said.
Told it was in writing, Eastwood smiled back, "It might be in writing. But is it the truth?" [3]
So for now, it's probably best to keep the title as it is. EnemyOfTheState (talk) 04:40, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Interview With Changeling Screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski

Cannes Film Festival - Interview With Changeling Screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski

Posted by Clayton Neuman May 20, 2008 12:45pm

J. Michael Straczynski has penned superhero comics, created a critically acclaimed SciFi series (Babylon 5) and written for Murder She Wrote. Now his brainchild, Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie, is in competition for the top prize at Cannes. Straczynski spoke with AMCtv.com about his detective work in writing the script, the film's political relevance, and how it feels to have a fan in Clint Eastwood.

...

This is an interesting interview with J. Michael Straczynski. Unfortunately, it is a blog so it may not be useable. The interview also includes a newspaper clipping showing the real Christine Collins.

--Dan Dassow (talk) 22:21, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

No, I think it's usable. It's not a blog in the sense of being self-published. Some official sites just title web pages like these "blogs" to sound hip. Another example is the MTV Movies Blog, which really isn't. Both of them have prominent publishers in AMC and MTV, respectively. —Erik (talk • contrib) - 00:08, 22 May 2008 (UTC)
Used, with thanks. Steve T • C 08:27, 23 May 2008 (UTC)