Symbolism

In Act 2 of our film we want to show that the mother feels trapped and enclosed by the responsibility of having to look after her autistic daughter, this could be shown not just through the acting but through the use of camerawork and framing. For example in using the corridor connecting the hallway and kitchen. This corridor has high ceilings that loom over the character, it quite dark and therefore has a sort of 'light at the end of the tunnel' effect. This could be used towards the end of the film when the mother has changed and is going to leave out the front door. She leaves the house to escape from her responsibilities, without the audience knowing if she is leaving temporarily or for good, the 'light at the end of the tunnel' symbolism works well in this situation as that is exactly what she is thinking, and this can be emphasized through the camerawork.

We could also have a shot in the film right after she has managed to calm her daughter down and she is on her way to change, where she pauses in this corridor and leans against the wall as she sighs. She could also then glance over at the door before she goes upstairs. to change.

Whilst we will use the cereal boxes to show that the daughter also feels imprisoned due to her condition which holds her back, we can also show this in other ways too. For example a moment when Amelie stops on the stairs and looks out through the bars of the banister. This is done in the film Casablanca when the wicker shades over the market are used to look like prison bars over Bogart and Bergmann.

The exterior location out the front of the house, where the film ends with Emma standing outside having a cigarette with the photo from when she was younger, can also be used to symbolize how Emma feels trapped.

Filmed at a low angle and using the front gate to fill the edges of the frame the composition of the shot is very symmetrical and well-considered. The lines of the pathway that lead up to the door create a heavy sense of perspective and help to stretch the depth of field. If Emma was to come outside, close the door behind her and lean with her back against the door I feel this would create a very nice long shot that could be used for a reasonably lengthy time as it show the whole of what Emma is doing. Her leaning with her back against the door would also symbolize her turning her back on her responsibilities. This next shot shows how it would also even be possible to film through the plants to create the 'imprisoned' look with lines cutting across in front of the character.

tb