Opus D6

Opus by Max Rousseau & Manny Garay

Revised 09-05-09 Polite Productions 14251 NW 22nd Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 954.579.2441

1

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 1

ANNIKA LAWRENCE, age 17 dressed sharp but modestly walks to a 9 foot concert grand piano in the center of a huge stage. The room has FIVE FACULTY MEMBERS seated in the front row. Annika sits down in front of the piano. She puts her right foot at the ready on the pedal and extends her hands to the keys. She takes a deep breath then plays the first note of Fantaisie Impromptu by Chopin. The song continues through the next scene. 2

INT.

SCIENCE CLASSROOM - DAY

2

A SCIENCE TEACHER holds up a Hallway Pass with Annika’s name on the top signed Mr. Ponti. She lowers it to reveal Annika, smiling innocently. The Science Teacher reluctantly lets her leave the class. 3

INT. MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

3

Annika walks into the classroom. TEN STUDENTS are congregating in the back of the class, clearly off-task. MR. PONTI, age 39 humble but stern, sits at his desk grading papers. Annika pulls up a chair. Mr. Ponti notices her. MR. PONTI Shouldn’t you be in class? ANNIKA Shouldn’t you be teaching your class? Mr. Ponti looks at her and to his students.

He smirks.

MR. PONTI Did you practice? 4

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - PRACTICE ROOM - LATER

4

Annika is furiously playing Fantaisie Impromptu by Chopin. Mr. Ponti is moved and mesmerized by Annika’s playing. 5

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

5

Annika and Mr. Ponti are sitting at a table in the cafeteria eating and laughing.

2. ANNIKA Alright Ponti, what’s on your mind? Mr. Ponti smiles, digs into his bag and produces an envelope with the official seal of the ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY. Annika takes it in shock. MR. PONTI Every year they invite 20 pianists nationwide to play for them in New York. Of those 20, they select three to study in Russia. ANNIKA You honestly think I can make it? Mr. Ponti smirks. MR. PONTI Take this home and fill it out. 6

INT.

SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY

Mr. Ponti and Annika are walking side by side. MR. PONTI You need to select three pieces and they have to be chosen carefully. (Beat) We’ll need to meet every other day. (He stops) You have a piano at home right?

Yea.

ANNIKA (Reluctantly)

MR. PONTI We’ll meet there. Mr. Ponti leads Annika to a giant shelf filled with sheet music. Mr. Ponti shifts through the different sections: Albeniz, Brahms, Debussy, Chopin. He takes some of the Chopin sheet music and piles them into Annika’s hands. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) With the first piece you must befriend the audience. Some ChopinANNIKA The Fantaisie? Mr. Ponti stops to ponder.

6

3. MR. PONTI Good. The second piece is the passion, something boldBeethoven?

ANNIKA

MR. PONTI No, everybody plays Beethoven. Mr. Ponti shuffles through: Liszt, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff. Mr. Ponti grabs the Rachmaninoff sheet music. Mr. Ponti examines Annika’s hand. He then gives her a stack of Rachmaninoff sheet music. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) Let’s see how you do with this. (Beat) Then finally, the consequence. You have to leave a lasting impression. Something movingMr. Ponti moves back to Chopin. He pulls out the Chopin Preludes. He shuffles through and stops at number 15. He hands it back to Annika. ANNIKA But that’s such a simple pieceMR. PONTI Exactly! There’s beauty in simplicity and that’s what you’ll leave them with. 7

EXT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - EVENING

7

Mr. Ponti walks up the driveway to Annika’s Up-Scale house. 8

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - EVENING

Annika is sitting at the head of the table with her MOTHER and FATHER on opposite ends, all eating take-out. Annika’s Parents are dressed in business attire. Nobody speaks or makes eye contact. Annika’s father simply reads the newspaper. The door bell rings.

Annika gets up from the table.

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4. 9

INT. ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

9

Annika is practicing a section of the Impromptu with Mr. Ponti; lit intimately by only a reading lamp. MR. PONTI Me and this piece have a lot of history. How so?

ANNIKA

MR. PONTI At the first concert I ever attended. The pianist spoke so clearly to me with her music. From then on I knew. This is what I want. Annika stares at him. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) You have to be ready to give up everything for your music Annika. ANNIKA (Snickers) That won’t be a problem. Annika’s Father walks from his study. ANNIKA’S FATHER I’m sorry, but it’s getting lateMR. PONTI It’s ok, we were just finishing. Mr. Ponti packs his things and heads the to the front door. Annika’s Father remains very conservative giving Ponti a halfsmile as he leaves. Annika looks disheartened when he leaves and the Father closes the door after Ponti. Annika’s Father and Annika share an awkward moment where none of them say anything to each other or move. After a few beats Annika’s Father walks back into his study and Annika walks away from the piano. 10

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL - MUSIC HALLWAY - DAY

Annika walks up to the double doors leading to Mr. Ponti’s class. She can hear the sounds of yelling.

10

5. Annika sees Mr. Ponti and MR. GORDON, the Assistant Principal in a heated discussion. Annika quickly makes a U-turn to leave. The doors open behind her. MR. GORDON And where are you supposed to be Ms. Lawrence? Annika stops. 11

INT.

She sighs deeply.

MR. GORDON’S OFFICE - DAY

Annika is sitting across the desk from Mr. Gordon. The contents of Annika’s bag are on his desk. Mr. Gordon is holding a fresh hallway pass booklet. GORDON You’ve been forging hallway passes. ANNIKA You have no right to go through my stuffGORDON Wrong. (Beat) I’ve spoken to your teachers. They tell me that you’re a very smart girl but you’re rarely in class. Do you wish to repeat another year? (Beat) You will serve two weeks detention. Starting this afternoon. I’ve already phoned your parents. Gordon takes the sheet music books from her bag. GORDON (CONT’D) And you won’t be needing this anymore. ANNIKA Give that back. GORDON This is school property. (Beat) Now get going.

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6. 12

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

12

Annika is angrily sitting in front of the piano. There is a C-clamp lock on it closing the keyboard cover. Mr. Ponti is standing at the door talking to Annika’s Father. ANNIKA FATHER Not for at least three weeks. Mr. Ponti and Annika exchange glances. MR. PONTI Well I must be off. Annika heads to the back. 13

EXT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Mr. Ponti is putting his stuff in his car. the side.

13 Annika comes from

ANNIKA I’m sorry about all that. MR. PONTI No its my fault. ANNIKA What do we do now? MR. PONTI I don’t know. We can’t meet at school either. ANNIKA Well we can’t just give up. The audition’s in two months. And I selected the second piece. She reveals the sheet music for Rachmaninoff’s Moment Musicaux No. 4. Mr. Ponti flips through the crowded pages. ANNIKA (CONT’D) Is that bold enough? Mr. Ponti doesn’t say anything. music. 14

INT.

He just looks at the sheet

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 14

Annika begins to play Rachmaninoff’s Moment Musicaux No. 4. The following scenes are a montage to the Moment Musicaux.

7. MR. PONTI (O.S.) - Stop, stop15

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY STOP!

15

MR. PONTI

Annika looks up at him from the piano. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) I didn’t feel a second of that. You’re just hitting the keys. You’re not playing. You’re not telling me a story. ANNIKA What would you like me to change? MR. PONTI Change EVERYTHING! Annika remains quiet. and looks away. Again. 16

INT.

Mr. Ponti sits back in his arm chair

MR. PONTI (CONT’D)

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Annika is playing again.

16

Mr. Ponti is pacing.

MR. PONTI Everything you do affects the way play. The way you sit, your posture, the way you breath. 17

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

Mr. Ponti is pacing around Annika again as she plays. MR. PONTI You need to develope the muscle memory. Play from the heart and trust your hands to do what they need to do.

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8. 18

INT. ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DAY Annika watches her father leave for work. piano begins to try and pick the lock.

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18 She goes to the

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

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Annika is playing a very intense part of the piece. MR. PONTI These chords are monstrous! (Beat) Stop using your wrist! Let the power come from your shoulders and down into the keys. He demonstrates. 20

INT.

DETENTION ROOM - DAY

20

Annika is hiding sheet music under her biology book making numerous notes on it. Mr. Gordon notices and takes them away from Annika. Annika lets out a deep sigh in defeat. 21

EXT.

FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

21

Annika jumps the fence with her backpack and jogs away from the school. 22

INT.

DETENTION ROOM - DAY

22

Annika is the only person in the room seated in the middle of a sea of desks. She has her head on the desk and is practicing fingering with her right hand, we only hear the right hand playing. Mr. Gordon lowers his newspaper to watch in awe. 23

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DAY

23

Annika finally picks the piano lock. She opens the keyboard cover and begins to play. 24

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - ANNIKA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

24

Montage of Annika waking up tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Sheet music is scattered all over her bed and floor. There are quick flashes of her playing.

9. 25

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

25

Annika is playing a difficult part of the Moment Musicaux. She looks as though she hasn’t slept in weeks. MR. PONTI There are two melodies fighting to be heard! You musn’t neglect either of them. I want to hear every note speak it’s mind. Annika tackles the most difficult part of the piece where each hand has separate melodies that intertwine beautifully. 26

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 26

Annika is playing the same song explosively on the piano. 27

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

27

Mr. Ponti sits on his arm chair with his eyes closed, deeply moved by the music, almost in a trance. 28

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

28

Annika rides her bike over to the house with a folder bulging with sheet music. Annika hears Mr. Ponti playing excerpts of Jeux D’Eau by Ravel. She walks to the source: the living room window. As she gets close the playing stops. Mr. Ponti opens the front door. 29

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

29

Annika finishes up Raindrop Prelude by Chopin. She looks frustrated. ANNIKA That was terrible. (Beat) Notes?

I’m sorry.

Mr. Ponti isn’t maintaining eye contact, and seems somewhat distant throughout. Annika picks up on this more and more. MR. PONTI It was fine. ANNIKA What? You can’t be serious.

10.

Well, Yes.

MR. PONTI

ANNIKA You don’t have any notes? MR. PONTI It sounded good. ANNIKA No it didn’t. I could tell, I was playing it. There was no feeling, it was over-pedaled and muddyMR. PONTI Chopin’s supposed to have long pedal pointsANNIKA I’m going to start from the top. MR. PONTI Annika, take it easyANNIKA (Hysterical) Take it easy!? The recital is in two weeks! If I play like that, I’m going to get laughed at. She begins to cry, overwhelmed.

Ponti approaches her.

MR. PONTI Ok, that’s enough for today. You need a break. He grabs her arm before she can sit back down at the keys. Annika slowly moves into his arms as she calms down. Mr. Ponti’s gaze changes from fatherly to lustful. Annika notices this. She wipes the tears from her cheek and looks up at Ponti. ANNIKA (Laughs) What? After a few moments, Mr. Ponti moves in for a kiss. Annika pushes back, flabbergasted. Mr. Ponti freezes, contemplating what he just did. Annika ferociously moves in for a kiss.

11. 30

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 30

Annika stops playing. or can’t continue. 31

INT.

Almost as if she’s forgotten the notes

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - ANNIKA’S BEDROOM

31

Annika sits on the side of her bed, extremely pensive. She looks over at the folder for the St. Petersburg conservatory. 32

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

32

Annika walks up to Ponti’s house. She is disheveled. She knocks on the door. There’s no answer. She knocks even louder. Annika moves to the living room window. Mr. Ponti opens up the front door.

She knocks there.

PONTI Annika it’s late. ANNIKA Can I come in? PONTI You need to go home. ANNIKA We need to talk. Ponti reluctantly lets her in and cautiously looks out to the street as he closes the door. 33

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Mr. Ponti walks in and sits next to the piano. remains standing.

33 Annika

ANNIKA I’m having trouble with this one section of the prelude. Annika is behaving nervously, constantly fixing her hair and not making eye contact. Mr. Ponti notices this. ANNIKA (CONT’D) It’s the middle sectionAnnika takes out the sheet music and drops it by accident.

12. MR. PONTI Annika, what are you doing? ANNIKA What am I doing? two weeks?

The recital’s in

MR. PONTI We can’t do this anymore. to stop.

This has

Annika looks like she just got slapped in the face. ANNIKA What to you mean? need you.

Ponti, I still

MR. PONTI You don’t need anybody. (Beat) Annika, You’re going to be great. ANNIKA Not without you. Annika moves in dangerously close to him, with fire in her eyes. She touches his shoulders. Mr. Ponti looks at her, almost as if a part of him wants this. He snaps out of it and quickly backs away from her, disgusted. MR. PONTI NO, NO, ANNIKA. NO! Annika is frozen in grief as if she is about to cry. is a long silence.

There

MR. PONTI (CONT’D) This is wrong! You can’t see me anymore. (Long Beat) Please go. Annika gathers her stuff and leaves. 34

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

34

Annika is in a daze at the recital. She’s not playing, just staring. One of the judges taps the glass for her to continue. Annika repositions herself. Her eyes are watery but resolute. She continues to play Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude in D flat.

13. 35

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

35

Annika walks from the house in tears. Mr. Ponti looks out the window at her riding away, stricken with guilt. 36

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

Annika continues to play the piece. Every note speaks its mind. CREDITS roll over her playing. FADE OUT:

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