Film - Storyline

Overview:

The beginning part of the flim showcases five teenaged girls getting ready for what seems to be an ordinary day. The audience is unaware of what the characters are getting ready for until the end where it is clear that the characters are arriving at a funeral. The film will include very short scenes cutting from one character to the next, this is the best way we believe that we can show each individual character's personality. We were inspired to do this type of film opening by three films. The Devil Wears Prada, Freaky Friday and Hot Fuzz.

Part 1:
Before the 5 characters are introduced, a flashback is shown. In the flashback is Nancy, a troubled teenager who decides to commit suicide by overdosing of prescription drugs with alcohol. we see Inez banging crazily on the door to try and find out what Nancy is doing. Finally Inez bursts in to find Nancy on the floor. Inez immediately calls 999 which is where the flashback ends. It will only be through the film that the audience becomes aware of Nancy's death. This is symbolised throughout the costumes that are worn. (Black outfits).

 The film will start by introducing the five characters to the viewers. The character Inez will be the first character introduced. Inez is the calm and more sensible character of the group. Inez will be asleep and the audience will get to see Inez and her room through a long shot. Then suddenly her alarm clock will go off with a quick, sharp close up shot of the clock. The audience will see Inez get up with different shots of her getting ready e.g putting make up on, getting dressed brushing her teeth. Throughout Inez's scene fast non-diagetic music will be played. The music corresponds with the fact that Inez is in a slight, fast rush to get somewhere. ( The viewers are unaware of what all the characters are getting ready for).

The next character that is introduced is Becky. Becky is at her Boyfriends house. Both characters are asleep. Becky then receives a call on her phone and wakes up starting to get ready in a fluster and a bit of a rush. The audience will see a clash in Becky and her boyfriends personalities. The camera will flick between the two showing Becky in a panicky mood trying to find her clothes and her boyfriend looking relaxed, lying in bed smoking. This scene will use mostly medium shots as its important for the audience to see some of the background so they can compare and contrast the different backgrounds and personalties of the characters in the film.

The next character introduced to the audience is Libby. Unlike the other characters that have been discussed, Libby is already up out of bed and is sitting at a table reading through her school work. Libby portrays a more mature, organised character than perhaps Becky, who is a bit more over the place and unbalanced. Libby , whilst in the middle of reading over her work receives a phone call from Jess. After a brief chat on the phone, Libby picks up her coat and leaves the house. Again the main camera shot in this scene is a medium shot, to show the difference in backgrounds with each character.

The fourth character shown in the film is Lottie. Unlike all the other girls that have been introduced Lottie is outside walking around streets looking like a bit of a mess. We show Lottie as quite a vulnerable and anxious character through the medium/close up shots of her. This allows the audience to see the emotion on her face. Throughout the scene, fast non-diagetic sound will be added to compliment her hasty paced walking.

The final character introduced is Hatty. Hatty is the most un-organised out of all the characters. She is asleep in bed surrounded and covered with photos, postcards and tissues. The camera then zooms to show the audience the photos. On the photos are pictures of the 5 girls and most importantly, Nancy. The tissues imply that Hatty has been crying, also implying that Nancy has in fact died.

Part 2:

The second part of the film shows the 5 characters leaving their houses all ready to go to the funeral. (The audience are still unaware of where the girls are going). The characters will not be shown in a specific order, instead we will use lots of fast cuts flicking between them. The fast cuts will create a sense of haste and panic and will also compliment the fast paced non diagetic sound that will be added to the scene. We will use quite a few close up shots in this to allow the audience to see the facial expression and emotion of the girls faces.

Part 3:

The third and final part to our film opening is set at the outside Christ Church Cathedral. The mood of this scene will die down and the mood will completely change. The 5 girls will all meet at the centre of the courtyard just outside the Cathedral. During this scene the music will slow down and become more somber. We will choose an appropriate soundtrack to match the more gloomy and glum setting. We hope to show a range of camera shots in this scene. It will start with an extreme long shot to show the beautiful setting that the final part of the film is in. In this shot the audience will be able to see the 5 girls next to the pond, all hugging and embracing eachother. By this part of the film it will become more obvious that the characters are attending the funeral of Nancy - the character that commited succide in the flashback. We will then get a close up of all the girls faces walking up the stairs into the funeral. The close up shot will show the troubled, heartbroken faces of all the girls. This is the first time we see all of the girls together sharing their pain of the loss of the best friend. The final scene will show the funeral booklet with a picture of Nancy on.