Story-telling Unit - Idea Development

I wanted to post an update on how my Pre-Writing is coming along. Over the weekend I sat down and timelined the story so I would be able to have a rough idea of what I wanted to happen when and where. I feel like I really know my characters now so for me getting the plot write is the main thing that needs work. 

Here is an outline of the plot:

The story starts with Leah reacting to something she has just been told by her best friend Sophie. She isn't happy.

It becomes clear to the audience that Sophie has just told Leah about her sexuality. 

Leah feels betrayed by Sophie for not telling her sooner. She feels that Sophie hasn't trusted Leah enough to tell her. Sophie is upset that Leah isn't being supportive and understanding. Leah is saying things like "I feel like I don't even know you anymore" and "I feel like our whole friendship has been a lie. I tell you everything and now it's obvious that we're not even on the same level" 

After discussing what's left of their friendship, Sophie receives a text informing her that her date "can't do this anymore, it's wrong" (something that links in with the world) 

Sophie is Clearly upset by this, Leah asks what's wrong and when she is told she immediately gets up and grabs her coat to leave. Sophie asks her where she is going. Leah replies "To kick his ass. Nobody treats my friend like shit!". She then storms out through the front door. 

One of the main things of my script is to slowly reveal the world to the audience so I've been brainstorming ideas to help show this. The ideas that I think i'm going to use are:

• Sophie can look through the window and see a "straight person's house defaced" Leah can join her looking and tell her it's the 3rd time this week? Possibly switch it so Leah see's first. As it is Sophie's house. 
• A wedding photo of Sophie's gay parents on the mantle piece.
• Have the radio on - Gaydio station
• A news report comes on informing us of the current "straight rights rally" in London - possibly have it turned into riots - similar to the London riots
• A newspaper article about "breeding season" or a positive article about the gay community 
• In my timeline I have fitted these ideas into the plot where I think they will keep the audience hooked and move the story forward. 

Here is my completed timeline:

I think my pre-writing is almost finished now and I'll hopefully have finished my first draft of the script over the weekend all being well. I'm pleased with how the story is coming together and I like the growth of Leah's character in the story. Originally i was going to have her change only after hearing about the text but when I thought about it, it was unrealistic. Her character has to grow throughout and reach the point of no return way before that moment. Although she might not be happy with what she's been told, after seeing the way straight people are being treated (who could quite easily one day be Sophie) her view on the situation changes. She might not be approving but she still cares for her friend and always will and that's the realisation she needs to come to in the script. I like the idea that although the story is about sexuality and coming out, an underlying issue is that Leah is also scared she will lose her best friend when she moves away for university. I'll have to work this into the script maybe have subtle things like Leah hinting at this but never being able to say it. Sophie would probably end up pointing it out if anything. 

 Now to tie up these lose ends before I start my first draft. 

Stay safe,

Helen