Plot/Storyline:

Based on the results of my questionnaire, and also my own personal ideas, I have put together a story-line which, in my opinion, covers many different areas of social realism - domestic issues, broken family dynamics, alcoholism, eating disorders, and elements of peer pressure. I chose to avoid the idea of 'drugs and alcohol', as it is quite a common topic in social realist films; therefore, my production could very easily slip into the 'cliché' category. I have listed numerous topics that I would place my opening sequence under; however, if I could choose to class my opening sequence as one thing, it would probably be 'domestic issues', as each part of the story-line links back to domestic issues in some way.


My plot is centered around three girls called Flo, Amy and Daisy. These girls share a very close friendship, and spend a large majority of their time together; however, there is something else that they all share - a secret.


With Flo being the main character, a huge amount of the film focuses on her - her life, and her secret. Amy and Daisy also play a huge part in the film; however, they're stories aren't focused on in as much depth. Throughout the duration of the film, the girls' lives are focused on separately, starting with Flo, then Amy, then Daisy, then back to Flo, and so on. As I mentioned in the plot synopsis, the girls each have secrets that are starting to take over their lives, so these secrets will be unraveled as the film goes on.


Towards the end of the film, things get considerably worse. As Flo's health deteriorates, she is taken into hospital; however, her friends are still completely and utterly clueless. They start to wonder where Flo has disappeared to, so they decide to take matters into their own hands, putting their own secrets on hold until they figure out the truth about Flo. 


They visit Flo's grandmother, who tells the girls everything - convinced that they were already aware. When the girls tell Flo's grandmother that they never knew, the girls have a serious think about who they are, and what they want to be. They go to see Flo, and are stunned to silence when they see just how ill Flo has become. Their first reaction is anger, as they are confused as to why Flo never told the truth; however, when Flo tells them that she didn't want to hurt them, they take back every ounce of anger they ever felt towards Flo. Suddenly, the three girls confess everything, and after many long hours of tears and upset, they start to act in the way that they love and miss.


The next day, Amy receives a call from Flo's grandmother, asking her and Daisy to get to the Hospital as quickly as they can, saying "she needs to see you". The girls arrive at the Hospital, to see Flo looking even worse than the previous day. She has become frailer, paler, and can hardly find the energy to even say hello. As Daisy starts to cry, Amy tells her that they need to be optimistic, and make the most of their friendship whilst they can. They begin to talk about the old times, and discuss all the things that Flo has ever done to help them. Although the two girls try their hardest to stay happy, they cannot help but shed tears for their dear friend Flo, who is slowly slipping away before their eyes. 


Amy grabs hold of Flo's hand, and says "why did you need to see us today?". To her amazement, Flo manages to reply, and whispers (at a very slow pace) "girls, you just know when it's your time to go. I know today is my day, and I have come to terms with it. I just needed to see you two before I take my trip to the good place. After all, I could never leave my best friends behind without one last handshake". As Flo says this, she holds out her thin, trembling hands to the girls, who gently grab hold of one each, and start their lengthy, immature handshake - something they have been doing for many, many years. Flo smiles, but it is obvious that the handshake has taken every last bit of energy she possessed. Daisy says "here's to Flo", (hence the title of the film) as she places her hand on Flo's. The two girls wipe away the tears, kiss their friend goodbye, and shortly after her Grandmother says her final farewell, Flo passes away.


The film follows the three girls as they fight to keep their individual secrets under wraps. Although it's a case of betrayal and dishonesty, it also proves just how far friends are willing to go to keep their best friends happy. Each of the girls lives are explored in greater depth in the duration of the film, as well as watching Flo's health gradually deteriorate. Will the girls open their hearts to one another and confess what they've been hiding before it's too late? Or will matters be kept behind closed doors?


Opening sequence
My opening sequence isn't going to reveal too much information about the story-line; however, there will be subtle hints for the audience, in order to raise enigma codes. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I will be displaying the titles in a way that is similar to the opening sequence of Napoleon Dynamite (shown on everyday objects e.g. plates of food, phone screens, notepads, etc.), which I think is quite a unique approach to the task.


The results of my questionnaire clearly concluded that the characters should definitely be introduced in the first two minutes of the film; therefore, I will be doing this, which means that the location won't be a shown in too much detail. Parts of the location will be shown; however, I'd just really like to focus on introducing the three main characters. My opening sequence will show the everyday, morning rituals that the girls carry out before they meet one another for school. It will also invite the audience into the girls' lives, providing information about their home issues, personality, class, etc.