Changes

Initial Changes

When we came to film, we could not get hold of an old typewriter as we had planned so we changed the idea of the typewriter to Myra handwriting a plan. We thought this would be more interesting as there is a wider variety of shots we could use for this section and we thought then when editing, we could fade two different angles so the audience could almost see two hands writing. This meant that instead of using a close up of the typed writing on the paper of the typewriter for some of the credits, we would have to superimpose all of them.

As we were filming, we decided that the section where Myra puts the box into the car was confusing and unnecessary so we will replace this section with the new ideas that we came up with when we were filming. In the car section there was a jump shot, so we still wanted to use a jump shot in the replacement. For this, we filmed April skipping in a graveyard, holding the burnt teddy bear and would used the technique of a jump shot to show 3 cuts of her getting further and further away. We filmed the graveyard section a few different ways; one where the camera was behind the metal fence so it was visible in shot which emphasises that Myra is following the child. Another shot was where the camera followed April and another where the camera was stationary as she skipped along the graveyard. We also decided to film running around a large tree, (with the use of a wobbly camera without using a tri-pod to emphasise the following and create suspense) and then zooming in to a close up of the burnt teddy bear hidden in the tree. When we were filming in the attic we thought of another idea. To film a close up of a picture of April but with the lights off so at first, it looks like a black screen, then Myra strikes a match in front of the camera which lights up the picture to reveal the image of the innocent victim.

Also, when we were watching the footage in order that we would use it, we decided that it would be wise to rearrange the order at the end of the sequence. Originally we thought that seeing the box burning and then going back in time to see Myra hanging the girls dress on her wardrobe would be effective, but after we realized that it added extra, unnecessary confusion to the piece. Therefore, we changed it so it carried on in order of chronology, with the wardrobe bit before the box burning.

Major Changes

When we began editing, we immediately noticed that the huge array of different sections in the sequence could be very confusing. Also, that the quick flashes of images and shots cut very short did not achieve the desired effect. Instead of looking mysterious and intriguing, the sequence seemed very confusing and the editing therefore looked like it was rushed and was not portraying what we wanted. After audience feedback, the responses supported our opinion which led us to the decision to simplify the plot of the opening sequence. We wanted to stick with some of the footage so we decided to keep the teddy bear and swing section. We then decided that it would make more sense if the audience saw the girl and her brother during the piece; as it would make it more obvious that she had gone missing and therefore create a high level of emotion within the opening. First of all we made sure that we could find somebody to take part in the opening sequence to play the part of the brother. We asked Olly as he is studying theatre studies so we thought he would be ideal to portray the intense emotion within the piece. Next we planned a new shooting script;

· Long shot of swing with close up of teddy bear in foreground, (same as original but edited so it is in slow motion).

· Over the shoulder shot of Myra taking a Polaroid picture, showing a mid shot of the girl on the swing. In black and white.

· Long shot of swing with close up of half teddy bear in foreground from a low angle (same as in original opening sequence)

· Same shot as previous, but with the girl disappeared from the swing (low angle)

· A variety of different long shots of the girl’s brother in the park devastated that the girl has disappeared.

· A variety of close ups of the brothers face to show his emotion.

· From then, we will use black and white shots to show Myra watching the child in the past and colour shots to show the brothers devastation in the present.

· Black and white over the shoulder shot of Myra, showing a long shot of the girl swinging.

·A point of view shot from the brothers perspective to show his frantic state.

·A close up of the brothers eyes which changes to a close up of Myras eyes when he blinks.

·A long shot of the girl swinging which is obstructed by a close up of the foreground of leaves to show that she is hidden.

· A mid shot from a high angle of the brother in a heap on the ground shouting up to the Camera.

· Panning from the brother holding his head in his hands to show the burnt teddy bear on the ground.

· A shot from over his shoulder to show him picking up the burnt teddy bear.

· A gradual zoom out from the long shot of the brother on the floor in the park to reveal the girls dress hanging in a bush and the developed Polaroid picture which has been burning hanging in front of the dress.

The simplistic plot enables the audience to understand clearer that a child has been snatched. Although the piece won’t be jumpy as we had planned, the zoom out at the end with the girls dress lying on the ground still demonstrates the psychopathic ways of Myra. This synopsis keeps Myra more of a mystery which intrigues the audience after the opening sequence to continue to watch the film as they are desperate to know what will happen to the girl. We will not need to record and additional sound as we already have the sufficient recordings but we will have to go back to the same location of the park to film more footage. Also, the fact that the sequence takes place in the same location makes it less confusing and therefore easier for the audience to follow. If we had stuck with our original idea, the audience would be completely confused by the end of the opening sequence, which initially we thought would intrigue them. But after audience feedback, we understood that the level of confusing elements would do the opposite as they learn so much throughout the opening sequence they would not be intrigued to watch the rest as they feel it would be boring, knowing the amount they do already about the piece.

In the original piece we didn't have any dialogue but we decided that there should be some shouting from the brother to create a level of worry and create tension. Therefore we needed to give the little girl a character name. We decided upon the name "Lucy". We also decided that the title for the piece was too simplistic and boring, so instead of using the title of Myra, we decided on a more interesting title of "Innocence".