Opus Draft 2

Opus by Max Rousseau & Manny Garay

Polite Productions 14251 NW 22nd Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 954.579.2441

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

ANNIKA, age 18 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 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: 2

INT. MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

2

Annika walks into the classroom. TEN STUDENTS are congregating in the back of the class, clearly off-task and SEVEN DILIGENT STUDENTS are practicing scales in total cacophony. A BOY from across the class smiles at her and flirtatiously waves. Annika smiles. MR. PONTI, age 52 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 Have you been practicing? 3

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - PRACTICE ROOM - LATER

Annika is furiously playing Scarlatti’s Sonata K. 449. Ponti is moved and mesmerized by Annika’s playing. 4

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

3 Mr.

4

Annika and Mr. Ponti are sitting at a table in the cafeteria eating and laughing. ANNIKA Alright Ponti, what’s on your mind? Mr. Ponti smirks. He digs into his bag and produces a envelope with the official seal of the ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY. Annika takes it in shock.

2. MR. PONTI Every year they invite 20 pianists nationwide to play for them in New York. Of those 20, they select threeANNIKA You honestly think I can make it? MR. PONTI Take this home and fill it out. Annika becomes estatic and runs around the table to give him a huge hug, cheering. 5

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - EVENING

5

Annika is sitting at the head of the table with her MOTHER and FATHER on opposite ends. Nobody speaks or makes eye contact. Annika’s Father simply reads the newspaper. Annika’s mother gets up and takes Annika’s Father’s plate. Annika’s father gets up with his newspaper, leaving Annika alone eating. The sink turns on in the background. 6

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

6

Annika is playing Nocturne Op. 27. No. 1 By Chopin. Annika’s Father simply closes his study. Annika’s mother walks into the bedroom and shuts the door behind her. Annika stops playing and hears the faint sounds of a Late Night TV show in the background. INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

Annika plays the agitated middle section of the Nocturne. 8

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

8

Annika is playing the same song. 9

INT.

ANNIKA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Annika takes out the long application and begins to fill it out. MONTAGE: Cuts back and forth between the Conservatory, Annika’s living room and Annika’s bedroom as she fills out the application, tension rises as the Nocturne’s tension rises.

9

3. 10

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

10

Annika’s Father walks out of his study. ANNIKA’S FATHER Annika, can you keep it down? Annika stops playing, breathing somewhat heavily. 11

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

11

Annika walks up to Mr. Ponti, who looks somewhat disheveled. ANNIKA Hey Ponti! (Notices his expression) Are you ok? MR. PONTI Annika, I need to be alone right now. Annika studies him for a moment. ANNIKA Is everything ok? MR. PONTI Yes, yea, we’ll talk after school. 12

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

12

Annika opens a folder of sheet music. ANNIKA I selected a few pieces for the recital. MR. PONTI Really, what are they? Administrator Gordon walks into the room. slightly worried when he sees Gordon. GORDON I hope I’m not interrupting anything. MR. PONTI No of course not.

Mr. Ponti looks

4. GORDON You mind taking a walk with me to my office, I need to discuss something you. Annika looks confused. MR. PONTI Go home Annika. We’ll continue tomorrow. Annika packs up her things. Administrator Gordon holds the door for Annika to exit. Once Annika exits, Administrator Gordon gives Mr. Ponti a scathing look. Annika walks the opposite way as Mr. Ponti and Gordon walk towards the office. INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

Annika plays the slow part of the Nocturne Op. 27 again. 14

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

14

Annika turns the corner and sees ADMINISTRATOR GORDON holding the door open for LESLIE CAMPBELL and her MOTHER. Leslie’s eyes are bloodshot. Annika makes eye contact briefly with Gordon who closes the door to the office. 15

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

15

Annika walks into the classroom. All the Students are seated at the electric keyboards and are practicing scales uniformly. There is a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER in place of MR. PONTI. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER Can I help you? Annika shakes her head and turns back. 16

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE - DAY

Annika is nervously waiting next to a door. the door and motions her to come in. 17

INT.

MR. GORDON’S OFFICE - DAY

Annika walks into Mr. Gordon’s office.

16 Mr. Gordon opens

17

5. MR. GORDON What can I do for you? ANNIKA Where’s Mr. Ponti? Mr. Gordon gives her a look, then sighs. ANNIKA (CONT’D) What’s going on with him? MR. GORDON Listen, Annika, I’ve looked into your file and I’ve spoken to your teachers. They tell me that you’re a very smart girl but you’re rarely in class, and if you are- you day dream and you don’t participate. If you keep this up, you’re not going to graduate. (Beat) If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about Mr. Ponti18

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

18

Annika is practicing parts from Rachmaninoff’s Etude-Tableaux in E flat Minor. Annika gives up after a few measures. 19

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

19

Annika flips through the phone book and searches under “P” and finds - Michael Ponti. She picks up the phone and dials. Hello.

MR. PONTI (OVER PHONE)

ANNIKA Ponti- it’s me, Annika. Hello? The line goes dead. without an answer. 20

INT.

Annika dials again.

This time it rings

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

Mr. Ponti is sitting in his arm chair, torn - listening to the rings.

20

6. 21

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

21

The Answering machine kicks in: “This party is not excepting messages at this time”. Annika puts down the phone. 22

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

22

Annika is eating dinner with her Mother and Father, again no interaction. The Phone rings. Annika’s mother gets up and answers. Hello.

ANNIKA’S MOTHER

Annika’s mother hands the phone to Annika. ANNIKA’S MOTHER (CONT’D) It’s for you. Annika takes it. Hello.

ANNIKA

Annika’s eyes widen with excitement, she runs away from the table. Annika’s parents both look up at each other. 23

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

Mr. Ponti stands by the window looking out Annika who is walking up to the house. ANNIKA (O.S.) Ponti, I really need your help. I’m having a hard time with some of these pieces. Mr. Ponti’s yard is unkept and looks somewhat condemned. MR. PONTI (O.S.) You can come to my house tomorrow. Under one condition. We talk about the piano and only the piano. Nothing else. Sure.

ANNIKA (O.S.)

Annika rings the door bell.

23

7. 24

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

24

Mr. Ponti walks to the door and takes a deep breath. INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

Annika prepares for another song. She begins to play Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5. MR. PONTI (O.S.) - Stop, stop26

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY STOP!

26

MR. PONTI

Annika looks up at him from the piano, the obedient student. 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.

Mr. Ponti sits back in his arm chair

MR. PONTI (CONT’D)

Annika continues to play. 27

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

Annika is playing again.

Mr. Ponti is pacing.

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

27

8. 28

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

28

Annika is playing a very intense part of the piece. MR. PONTI These chords are monstrous! You’re using your wrist! Let the power come from your shoulders and down into the keys. He demonstrates. 29

INT.

SCIENCE CLASS ROOM - DAY

29

Annika has drawn fake keys on notebook paper and is pretending to play in class. The same BOY who hit on her in the beginning is smiling at her. 30

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY MR. PONTI You will play the Ravel to show your impressionism and the atmospheric quality of your playing. You will play the Rachmaninoff to show your virtuosity and then some Chopin to show your command of the melody. ANNIKA I wanted to play the Polanaise by Chopin. MR. PONTI No, you will play Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude. ANNIKA But that’s such a simple piece. MR. PONTI Exactly. There’s beauty in simplicity. They will know your virtuosity from the Ravel and the Rachmaninoff and but there’s nothing like touching the human soul. And that’s what you will leave them with.

30

9. 31

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

31

Annika is playing a difficult part of Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableaux. 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. INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

Annika is playing the same song explosively on the piano. 33

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

33

Mr. Ponti sits on his arm chair with his eyes closed, deeply moved by the music, almost in a trance. 34

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

34

Annika walks through the hallway and receiving weird glances from students. 35

INT.

SCIENCE CLASS ROOM - DAY

35

Annika looks rather self-conscious as she sees students whispering about her behind her back. She turns to the Boy who always flirts with her. He doesn’t even pay her any attention. Annika turns back, taken aback. 36

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

36

Annika finishes up Jeux D’Eau by Ravel. ANNIKA What do you think? Mr. Ponti isn’t maintaining eye contact, and seems somewhat distant throughout. Annika picks up on this more and more. PONTI You need to work on creating an atmosphere with this piece. (MORE)

10. PONTI (CONT'D) The name “Jeux D’Eau” is french for playing water. So it needs to flow and sound like water. But overall it’s getting better. ANNIKA

Ok.

A few awkward moments pass by. maintaining eye contact.

Mr. Ponti is still not

PONTI That’s enough for today. Ponti holds the door for her as she slowly walks out and closes the door behind her. 37

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - EVENING

37

Annika walks out of the house. She exchanges glances with a NEIGHBOR down the street who is watching her, awkwardly. Annika feels uncomfortable. 38

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

A Janitor is cleaning the classroom. and says something in-audible. 39

INT.

38 Annika walks up to him

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

39

Annika walks in. She looks in Ponti’s office, most of his stuff has been cleared out. Annika is leaving the class and sees the pictures of past choir recitals. Annika recognizes one of the girls from the Choir pictures - It’s Leslie. 40

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

40

Leslie is sitting under a tree far from anybody, eating her lunch in quiet. Annika approaches her. Hey. Sure. Annika sits.

ANNIKA You mind if I sit? LESLIE

Leslie’s face looks pain-striken.

11. ANNIKA I’m Annika. Leslie-

LESLIE

ANNIKA You knew Mr. Ponti. Leslie doesn’t say anything, just nods.

Annika gets closer.

ANNIKA (CONT’D) What happened? I need to know. (Beat) Please. Leslie looks at Annika, eyes filled with tears and face striken with horror at the memories she’s holding. INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD

Annika is in a daze at the recital. She stops playing and simply stares. One of the judges taps the glass for her to continue. Annika repositions herself. 42

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Annika walks up to Ponti’s house. knocks on the door.

She is disheveled.

42 She

Ponti opens up. PONTI Annika it’s late. ANNIKA Can I come in? Sure43

INT.

PONTI

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

Annika is in tears.

Mr. Ponti just stares.

ANNIKA I spoke to Leslie today. MR. PONTI Leslie who?

43

12.

LESLIE (Beat) CAMPBELL!

ANNIKA

Mr. Ponti sits down at his armchair.

Annika stands.

ANNIKA (CONT’D) She told me everything. Tension builds as they all remain quiet. Not even looking at each other. ANNIKA (CONT’D) Is it true? Mr. Ponti remains quiet. ANNIKA (CONT’D) Everybody at school looks at me differently, teachers. There are rumors being spread. (Beat) I need to hear this from you. Mr. Ponti’s eyes tear up.

Annika begins to cry herself.

ANNIKA (CONT’D) Jesus, You’re all I have. Annika and Mr. Ponti cry for a few moments. Annika gets up and walks to him. Mr. Ponti looks into her eyes. ANNIKA (CONT’D) You’re the greatest man I know and I love you. But after knowing this, I can never see you again. (Beat) You can’t even look at me? You can’t even tell me the truth. MR. PONTI There are many things I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. And you’re right, you should never see me again. (Beat) You’re going to be great. That’s all I’ll need. Annika gets her stuff and turns to leave.

13. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) I’d like to ask you one last favor. (Beat) Can you play for me? Annika looks at him for a few beats and moves to the piano. She plays Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude. Mr. Ponti closes his eyes and enjoys the final performance. 44

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

Annika is playing the same song. CREDITS ROLE OVER HER PLAYING. FADE OUT:

44