Opus Draft 4

Opus by Max Rousseau & Manny Garay

Revised 07-24-09 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 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 Jeux D’Eau by Ravel. The song continues through the next scene. 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. 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 Did you practice? 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 Russia? 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. (Beat) Go home Annika. We’ll continue tomorrow. 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 the slow part of Jeux D’Eau. Annika’s father walks out of his study. ANNIKA’S FATHER Annika, can you keep it down? 6

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

6

Annika plays a very pensive part of Jeux D’Eau. 7

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

7

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.

3. 8

INT.

MR. PONTI’S CLASS - DAY

8

Annika walks into the classroom. All the students are seated at the electric keyboards and are practicing scales uniformly. There is a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER Can I help you? Annika shakes her head and turns back. 9

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY

9

Annika tries to open a classroom door. It’s locked. She knocks on it. Annika puts a hallway pass on the door window. ANNIKA Come on, I have a pass. (Beat) Where do you want me to go? Administrator Gordon turns the corner. GORDON And where are you supposed to be, Ms. Campbell? Annika sighs. 10

INT.

MR. GORDON’S OFFICE - DAY

10

Annika is sitting across the desk from Administrator Gordon. The contents of Annika’s bag is on his desk. Administrator 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? ANNIKA Where’s Mr. Ponti?

4. GORDON You will serve two weeks detention. Starting this afternoon. I’ve already phoned your parents. (Beat) If I were you I wouldn’t worry about Mr. Ponti. 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. 11

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

11

Annika is angrily sitting in front of the piano. C-clamp lock on it closing the keyboard cover. 12

INT.

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

There is a

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)

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 accepting messages at this time”. Annika puts down the phone.

5. 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. 15

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

15

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. We talk about the piano and only the piano. Nothing else. Yea. 16

INT.

ANNIKA (O.S.) Sure.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

Annika finishes up Jeux D’Eau.

16

At the final note we cut to:

6. 17

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

17

Annika rings the door bell. 18

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - FLASHFORWARD 18

Annika prepares for another song. She begins to play Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5. MR. PONTI (O.S.) - Stop, stop19

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY STOP!

19

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.

Mr. Ponti sits back in his arm chair

MR. PONTI (CONT’D)

The following scenes are a montage to the Etude Tableaux. 20

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.

20

7. 21

INT. MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY - LATER

21

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. 22

INT.

SCIENCE CLASS ROOM - DAY

22

Annika 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. 23

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - DAY

23

Annika is still at the piano, playing as Ponti lectures. 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. 24

INT.

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. Annika begins to make notes on the sheet music. There are quick flashes of her playing. 25

INT.

DETENTION ROOM - DAY

25

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.

8. 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. Annika walks past a section of lockers and sees a piece of sheet music taped to her locker with scribbled out in red marker. Annika rips it off angrily and realizes the locker as been broken into with all her sheet music ripped up. 27

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

27

Annika is sitting in isolation making rapid notes on the sheet music. She sees Leslie sitting by herself under a tree. Annika gives her a resentful look. 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. 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

9. 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, it was over-pedaled and muddyMR. PONTI Ravel’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, the judges are going to laugh me out of the place!

10. 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 as she takes out the trash. Annika just turns the opposite way and gets on her bike. 34

INT.

HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

34

Annika is wiping off “HOAR” written in red from her locker. A few GUYS walk by jeering. Annika glares. 35

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

35

Annika is playing Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28 No. 15. Fragments of the following scene appear as she plays. 35A

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY - FLASHBACK

35A

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

LESLIE

Annika’s playing becomes more intense. ANNIKA You knew Mr. Ponti. Leslie looks at Annika, eyes filled with tears and face stricken with horror at the memories she’s holding.

11. 35B

INT. PRACTICE ROOM - FLASHBACK

35B

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. Leslie is trying to pry Ponti off as he forces himself on her. 35C

EXT.

HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY - FLASHBACK

35C

ANNIKA That’s a lie. What?

LESLIE

ANNIKA That’s a lie. Annika stops playing. or can’t continue. 36

INT.

Almost as if she’s forgotten the notes

ANNIKA’S HOUSE - ANNIKA’S BEDROOM

36

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. 37

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

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

37 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. 38

INT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

38

Annika is playing Rachmaninov’s Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5 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 sits deep in thought. MR. PONTI (CONT’D) Everybody is watching me. Legally, you’re not even supposed to be here. Annika gets up and begins to walk towards him. ANNIKA But I still need you. MR. PONTI You don’t need anybody. (Beat) Annika, You’re going to be great. ANNIKA Not without you. MR. PONTI Annika, I’m capable of horrible things -

13. 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 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 leaves. 39

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

39

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. 40

EXT.

MR. PONTI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

40

Annika walks from the house in tears. Mr. Ponti looks out the window at her riding away - in tears as well. Annika looks over at the same Neighbor who was watching her directing Two POLICE CARS to Mr. Ponti’s lawn. Annika remains frozen. Mr. Ponti stays by the window, awaiting his comeuppance. 41

INT.

ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL - DAY

Annika continues to play the piece. Every note speaks its mind. FADE OUT:

41