Opus Draft 3

Opus by Max Rousseau & Manny Garay

Revised 06-28-09 Polite Productions 14251 NW 22nd Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 954.579.2441

1

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 1

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 and bumps into LESLIE CAMPBELL, a disheveled 16-year-old blonde girl. Annika thinks nothing of it. TEN STUDENTS are congregating in the back of the class, clearly off-task and SEVEN DILIGENT STUDENTS are practicing scales in total cacophony. 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

3

Annika is furiously playing Jeux D’Eau by Ravel. Mr. Ponti is moved and mesmerized by Annika’s playing. Annika finishes. Mr. Ponti doesn’t say anything, he goes to his desk and opens the drawer. He returns with 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 threeANNIKA You honestly think I can make it?

2. MR. PONTI Take this home and fill it out. ADMINISTRATOR GORDON walks into the room. slightly worried when he sees Gordon.

Mr. Ponti looks

GORDON I hope I’m not interrupting anything. MR. PONTI No of course not. GORDON You mind taking a walk with me to my office, I need to discuss something with you. Annika looks confused. MR. PONTI Go home Annika. We’ll continue tomorrow. Annika packs 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. 4

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - EVENING

4

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. 5

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

5

Annika is playing Raindrop Prelude by Chopin. Annika’s Father walks out of his study. ANNIKA’S FATHER Annika, can you keep it down? Annika stops playing, she can hear the sounds of a late night TV Show in the background. Once the door closes, she continues to play loudest, most passionate part of the song defiantly.

3. 6

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

6

Annika turns the corner and sees Administrator Gordon holding the door open for Leslie Campbell and her MOTHER. Leslie’s eyes are bloodshot. A DETECTIVE walks out of the office as well and shakes Gordon’s hand. Annika makes eye contact briefly with Gordon who closes the door to the office. 7

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

7

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. 8

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE - DAY

Annika is nervously waiting next to a door. the door and motions her to come in. 9

INT.

8 Mr. Gordon opens

MR. GORDON’S OFFICE - DAY

Annika walks into Mr. Gordon’s office. MR. GORDON What can I do for you? ANNIKA Where’s Mr. Ponti? Mr. Gordon studies her for a moment 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) (MORE)

9

4. MR. GORDON (CONT'D) If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about Mr. Ponti10

EXT.

BASEBALL DUGOUT - DAY

10

Annika and her two friends, MILES and AIDEN, each 17, with unkept hair and dressed grunge are sitting in the baseball dug out passing a joint of weed - clearly outcasts. MILES So what’s going on, Anni - you don’t sit with us anymoreANNIKA I’m sorry, I’ve just been practicing with Ponti. AIDEN Ponti? (Beat) That guy isn’t coming back. ANNIKA (Clearly Concerned) What do you mean? AIDEN Alls I know is that I heard some shit(Beat) Like something bad - with this blonde girl, LeslieANNIKA It’s probably bullshit. Annika look off to the side, concerned. 11

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

11

Annika is practicing parts from Rachmaninoff’s Etude-Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5. Annika gives up after a few measures. 12

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

12

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)

5. ANNIKA Ponti- it’s me, Annika. Hello? The line goes dead. without an answer. 13

INT.

Annika dials again.

This time it rings

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

13

The Answering machine kicks in: “This party is not excepting messages at this time”. Annika puts down the phone. 14

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

14

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. 15

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

Mr. Ponti stands by the window looking at Annika who is walking up to the house. ANNIKA (O.S.) Ponti, I need you. (Beat, Laughs pleading) I’m a wreck. Mr. Ponti’s yard is unkept and looks somewhat condemned. Annika notices a broken window in the front of the house. MR. PONTI (O.S.) Fine. (Beat) You can come to my house tomorrow. Under one condition. (MORE)

15

6. MR. PONTI (O.S.) (CONT'D) We talk about the piano and only the piano. Nothing else. Yea.

ANNIKA (O.S.) Sure.

Annika rings the door bell. 16

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 16

Annika prepares for another song. She begins to play Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5. MR. PONTI (O.S.) - Stop, stop17

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY STOP!

17

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. 18

INT.

Mr. Ponti sits back in his arm chair

MR. PONTI (CONT’D)

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.

18

7. 19

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

19

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

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

20

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. 21

INT.

SCIENCE CLASS ROOM - DAY

21

Annika has her head on the desk and is practicing fingering with her right hand, we only hear the right hand playing. 22

INT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY Annika sees Leslie sitting by herself under a tree. gives her a resentful look.

23

INT.

22 Annika

BASEBALL DUGOUT - DAY

23

Annika passes the blunt from Miles to Aiden without smoking she is making numerous notes on the sheet music. MR. PONTI (O.S.) You will play the Ravel to show your impressionism. You will play the Rachmaninoff to show your virtuosity and Raindrop Prelude by Chopin to show your command of the melody. 24

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

Annika is still at the piano, playing as Ponti lectures.

24

8. ANNIKA But that’s such a simple piece. MR. PONTI Exactly. There’s beauty in simplicity. And that’s what you will leave them with. 25

INT. ANNIKA’S HOUSE - NIGHT

25

Annika has her head planted on the keys of the piano knocked out completely. Annika’s Father nudges her to wake her up. 26

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

26

Annika is walking against a CROWD of High School students. She looks like she hasn’t slept in weeks. Students who see her are whispering to each other - Annika seems somewhat paranoid, focusing in on everybody’s whispers. 27

INT.

ANNIKA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

27

Montage of Annika waking up tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Sheet music is scattered all over her bed and floor. QUICK Flashes of her Playing. 28

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

28

Annika is playing a difficult part of the 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. 29

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 29

Annika is playing the same song explosively on the piano. 30

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

30

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

9. 31

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

31

Annika rides her bike over to the house with a folder bulging with sheet music. Mr. Ponti is angrily scrubbing a giant red “X” that was spray painted on his door. Hey Ponti-

ANNIKA

Mr. Ponti is startled, but calms once he sees Annika. MR. PONTI Go inside, I’ll be right in32

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

32

Annika finishes up Jeux D’Eau by Ravel. 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. 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, flat finger playing, it was overpedaled and muddyMR. PONTI Ravel’s supposed to have long pedal pointsANNIKA I’m going to start from the top.

10. MR. PONTI Annika, take it easyANNIKA (Hysterical) Take it easy!? The recital is in two weeks! If I play like that, the judges are going to laugh me out of the place! She begins to cry, overwhelmed.

Ponti approaches her.

PONTI Ok, That’s enough for today. You need a break. Annika sucks it up and begins to play again. awkwardly. 33

INT.

Ponti stands by

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - EVENING

33

Annika walks out of the house. She exchanges glances with a NEIGHBOR down the street who is watching her, awkwardly. Annika just turns the opposite way and gets on her bike. 34

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

34

Leslie is sitting under a tree far from anybody, eating her lunch in quiet. Annika approaches her. ANNIKA You mind if I sit? Sure. Annika sits.

LESLIE

Leslie’s face looks pain-striken.

ANNIKA I’m Annika. LESLIE I know who you are. ANNIKA You knew Mr. Ponti. Leslie doesn’t say anything, just nods.

Annika gets closer.

11. ANNIKA (CONT’D) What happened? I need to know. (Beat) Please. Leslie looks at Annika, eyes filled with tears and face stricken with horror at the memories she’s holding. 35

EXT.

FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

35

Annika walks away spooked from Leslie who is sobbing by the tree. We see quick flashes of: Leslie sitting by the piano with Ponti leaning over discussing sheet music in the practice room. Leslie is obviously a beginner, Mr. Ponti positions her hands. They keep making eye contact. 36

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - ANNIKA’S BEDROOM

Annika walks into her room in anger. The sheet music the sheet music flying off kiss. Leslie soon becomes Ponti. 37

INT.

36

and throws everything off her bed flies of the bed and fades into: the piano as Leslie and Mr. Ponti uncomfortable and tries to stop

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - ANNIKA’S BEDROOM

37

Annika sits on the side of her bed, extremely pensive. There are quick flashes of Mr. Ponti forcing himself on Leslie and Leslie trying to push him off. Annika looks over at the folder for the St. Petersburg conservatory. 38

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Annika walks up to Ponti’s house. She is disheveled. knocks on the door. Ponti opens up.

38 She

PONTI Annika it’s late. ANNIKA Can I come in? Sure-

PONTI

Ponti lets her in and cautiously looks out to the street as he closes the door.

12. 39

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

39

Wide shot of the house: Annika is playing the end of Rachmaninov’s Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5 40

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

40

Annika is playing the piece in the background. Mr. Ponti walks over to the sink with the kettle in hand. He pours water into the kettle. Mr. Ponti stops filling the kettle, leaving the sink running. Stop.

MR. PONTI Stop!

Annika stops playing.

He scoffs to himself.

MR. PONTI (CONT’D) I can’t even listen to musicAnnika stops playing and studies him. ANNIKA Ponti, you need to stop worrying. It’s gunna be fine. Listen, I’ve heard everything and I even talked to Leslie, you know what? It’s all bullshitMr. Ponti looks at Annika in horror. MR. PONTI Everything you heard is true. Annika is quiet, crumbled.

There is a long pause.

MR. PONTI (CONT’D) (With Great Difficulty) Annika, I’m a monster. Annika sits deep in thought for a moment then gets up moving closer to him. ANNIKA No you’re not. Listen, what we’re going here is more important. (Beat) I need you. MR. PONTI You don’t need anybody. (Beat) Annika, You’re going to be great.

13. ANNIKA Ponti. Look at me. (Beat) You’re all I have. MR. PONTI Annika, I’m capable of horrible things Annika moves in dangerously close to him, with fire in her eyes. She grabs his shoulders. ANNIKA I can be that. (Beat) I can be that for you. Mr. Ponti looks at her, almost as if a part of him wants this. He snaps out of it and violently shakes her once then quickly backs away from her, disgusted. MR. PONTI NO, NO, NO, ANNIKA. NO! Annika cries, almost ashamed of what she just said. a long silence.

There is

MR. PONTI (CONT’D) You can no longer see me. (Long Beat) Please go. Annika gathers her stuff and walks out, rock bottom. 41

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

41

Annika walks from the house in tears. Mr. Ponti looks out the window at her riding away - in tears as well. 42

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

42

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. Her eyes are watery but resolute. She begins to play Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude in D flat. Everynote speaks its mind. FADE OUT: