Editing the beginning of our film:

We properly began to edit our Thriller today.
We started it chronologically using different transitions and trying out different effects so it sustains the thriller atmosphere throughout.
We had difficulty cutting the film at the beginning as we wanted the young girl to appear closer as she walked down a long road. We used a merging transition and wanted three of equal length, however, this was difficult judging the length of the road and shot length. However, we managed to suss the problem and it does now look effective, especially when we have added music and changed the colouring to sepia or something similar.
We added in many different angles to the section where the girl is walking home, to interest the audience and as symbolic triggers, such as when the girl walks swiftly past the poster of a 'missing girl'. We wanted this shot to be obvious however not too long so that its only a suggestion to our audience.
We then had long shots, close-ups and mid shots, one being where the girl walks from behind the camera into the shot.
We are going to add an effect whereby we convert the shot so that we can slow it down when the girl walks towards her house. This is a good suggestion that the girl is walking towards danger, as though she is initiating it, this is quite ironic as it is her who happily talks to the paedophile over MSN showing her vulnerability.
After the short close-up as the girl opens her front door and slams it behind, we purposely fastened up the pace to portray her daily routine. We cut it short as there is a close-up as she slams her keys on the side, then a low angle shot of her taking her shoes off and throwing her bag down in a carefree manner.
We then cut it to her walking into her kitchen and the shot then changes to a mid shot from another angle tracking her as she walks across to turn the kettle on.
The next shot in my opinion is effective as it is in darkness for a split section and we filmed from inside the cupboard. The girl takes out a mug and slams the door on the camera. This is quite symbolic as it conveys at this point she is in control, not just over the situation in a familiar place but over our viewing. This helps to contrast later when she is grave danger.

Here is someones step by step introduction to slow motion shots which helped when editing the opening section of our film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrmin3hLawM