The Opening Sequence

Music starts playing- 'Can't Take My Eyes off of You', the rendition by John Barrowman.. The title of the film will appear: 'Love has arrived', one of the lyrics to the song. It will begin at Jo's house on a school day morning. She is getting ready for school, the radio is playing the title song.  On her desk is a good luck card which she glances to and sighs. Also on the desk is a letter on which has a school emblem on it or an image of the school. The letter shows the formality of the upper class school. She puts it on top of some tatty books, glancing over it and she slips it into her bag, which has holes and patches on. She's dressed in baggy jeans and shirt. Her hair has no style and is kept in a ponytail. She moves down the stairs to see her father, eating toast as he heads to the car. He's dressed in dirty clothes (he's a manual worker), as he passes her he kissed her cheek as he steps out of the house. Her mother walks over to her and also hugs her, ensuring her that her first day will be OK. Jo slowly steps out, showing tatty boots/trainers.She walks to school, during which the credits will role. Showing the director, producer, the two main actors and the music. As the titles run, the music becomes louder. Then, she appears at the school, which is a very middle class school. She sighs and she moves to the building.

Film Synopsis

Jo Timbers is a working class girl in the twenty first century. She transfers to a middle class school as her grades excel and she wants a challenge. Unfortunately, the only challenge she faces is the students, who see her as inferior to themselves because of her social standing. Only one boy speaks to her, Jude Carmichael, a popular middle class boy at the school. They met in class, where Jo was put next to Jude but they really become friends when Jude finds her into a 'secret place.' They spend every lunch time together there and one lunch time they get particularly close and Jude kisses Jo. He goes home to tell his parents about his new girlfriend. His father recognises her surname as the surname of one of his employees. He demands that Jude breaks up with Jo to prevent a scandal. Unable to face Jo, Jude stops visiting her 'secret place' and avoids her in lessons. Jo, meanwhile, worries that there is something wrong with Jude. She goes to find him, only to see he has a new girlfriend, Cassandra, another middle class girl and Head Girl. Heart broken, she could only last a couple of weeks at the school before she pulls out, returning to her former, working class school. Jude has inner conflict, not sure whether to follow his heart or his head. After approx. a week, he breaks it off with Cassandra and goes to Jo's house. He proclaims his love for her, promising not to let his parents or anyone else get in the way of their relationship. She forgives him and they become an item, although Jo still goes to the working class school.

Vladmir Propp - Character Functions // Narrative Structure

Vladmir Propp - Character Functions
Heroine:  Jo Timbers


The Donor: New School


The Blocker: Cassandra, The students of the school


The Helper:  Her mum, Jude



The Object of the Quest: To fit in/ be happy.


The Narrative Structure

As displayed in my diagram, the story revolves around Jo Timbers, as Romance films generally give more attention to the female. Her life changes when she moves school, therefore the agent of the change is when she moves. This conducts the problem as she is unaccepted by the students who are of a higher class. Her 'Quest' is to fit in or be happy. This is resolved by returning to her old school but she gets a boyfriend, Jude, who could also be considered as an 'agent of change' within the story. He helps her complete her quest as he makes her happy and feel less lonely.

The Narrative I chose is...

I've decided to use my third narrative idea. I feel that is has the more qualities that adhere to the Romance genre and is more original than the other ideas. The idea of 'class' is not as profound in British society anymore so this film would bring that idea back to the forefront. It follows qualities from two infamous Romance films and targets the correct audience.The idea of conflict is very prominent, which is essential for every film, not just Romance films. The 'forbidden love' idea keeps the audience on edge, similar to a 'will they won't they?' idea.

The Characters:


Main Girl                                                                           Main Boy              
Name: Jo(anna) Timbers                                           Name: Jude Carmichael
Age: 16/17                                                               Age: 16/17 
Parents: Dad- Mechanic                             Parents: Dad- Business manager
             Mum- Cleaner                                 Mum-Teacher of a Private School
Clothes: No brand, simple t-shirt                  Clothes: Shirt/Jeans; designer labels.
             and jeans. dirty/second hand
             trainers. 


Other Girl
Name: Cassandra Jennings
Age: 16/17
Parents: Dad - Business Man
             Mum - Secretary
Clothes: Fashionable, designer clothes.
             Dresses. 

Film Idea 4

This film idea also conveys an image of 'forbidden love', it involves a modern theme (the Iraq war) and it advertises acceptance despite of race and how love can live forever.

Film Idea 3

 

This narrative follows the Romance convention as it follows a similar idea to the infamous 'Romeo and Juliet' - the family standing in the way of their relationship. It uses the idea of 'Social Class' which is seen in 'The Titanic', another infamous love story. The idea of trying to 'fit in' is recognised by the target audience.

Film idea 2

This conforms to the Romance genre as it goes to 'the Florence Nightingale' effect. The obstacles are their personalities. It is not too dissimilar to Pride and Prejudice, as they both oppose each other.

Film Idea 1

This follows the Romance genre as there are obstacles : Her work and her pride. The  film follows how they become an item and how they are happy together. It targets my audience as they are teenagers, so the audience can relate to them and it is set in a familiar environment, School.