Film Opening: Final Screenplay | Moonlight Sonata

  

Here we have the final screenplay for our film opening which is written and edited by Maxi.

Moonlight Sonata

Screenplay by

Maximilian Gehlen

SCREEN BLACK 

NON-DIEGETIC Piano music starts to play softly in background (Liebestraume, By FRANZ LISZT)

OPENING CREDITS ROLL FOR THE FIRST 15 SECONDS

FADE IN:

HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 13 YEARS AGO

SCENE IS SHOWN AS IF TAKEN FROM THE FOOTAGE OF A HANDHELD VIDEO RECORDING, TAKEN BY THE MOM.

HAZEL is playing the piano joyfully as his MOM gives positive remarks. 

MOM

Keep going! You’re doing great!

HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 9 YEARS AGO

FADE TRANSITION: 

HAZEL continues to play the piano, still with a smile on his face, now with 4 TROPHIES on his shelf and a picture of him with his mother, as HAZEL holds up his first trophy.

HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 6 YEARS AGO

FADE TRANSITION:

HAZEL continues to play the piano, it can be seen he's lost his bright smile. There are now 10 TROPHIES on his shelf, with the picture of him and his mom now showing them holding a trophy together.

HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - PRESENT

HAZEL is still playing the piano. Dozens of trophies on his shelf, with the picture of him and his mom now showing only his mom holding the trophy. He is now on the verge of tears as his mother berates him for his lousy playing. 

MOM

Do better! I know you can do better! Play faster or I'll get the ruler Hazel!

CUT TO POV SHOT OF HAZEL FROM THE POV OF A PIANO KEY. 

HAZEL begins to tear up as his eyes turn red. However, he continues to play the piano.

MUSIC CLUB CLASSROOM - DAY

NON-DIEGETIC piano music stops. Replaced by HAZEL’S diegetic playing.

MATCH CUT IS USED TO SHOW HAZEL FROM THE SAME POV AS BEFORE, ONLY AT A DIFFERENT SETTING - HIS SCHOOLS MUSIC ROOM.

HAZEL is now playing on his school’s music clubs’ piano - continuing where the song left off in the previous scene. Tears are gone, only a sad expression is left on his face.

CUT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP FROM THE SIDE

HAZEL continues to play as his clubs’ teacher tells him to stop - HAZEL is too focussed in to hear it.

(TEACHERS voice starts faded and gets clearer)

TEACHER

Hazel. Hazel [louder]. 

CUT TO OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF TEACHER.

(Voice is now fully clear)

TEACHER

Hazel [yelling]!

FAST CUT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF HAZELS UPPER BODY FROM PREVIOUS POV SHOT - FROM THE POV OF THE PIANO KEYS.

HAZEL’S eyes focus in and he jumps in his seat out of shock. He looks around in a confused daze, and then looks to his teacher.

CUT TO OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF TEACHER FROM HAZELS POV.

TEACHER

Get back to your seat, Hazel.

CUT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP FROM THE SIDE OF HAZEL STANDING UP

CUT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF HAZEL SITTING DOWN AT HIS DESK.

HAZEL puts his bag on the ground, sits down, and lays his chin on his palm, as he stares off blankly into the distance.

CUT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF TEACHER STANDING IN THE FRONT OF THE CLASS.

TEACHER begins to introduce the music club's newest member.

TEACHER

Good afternoon everyone! Today we have a new student joining us today in our music club!

TEACHER waves her hand in a “come in” motion towards HARMONY.

NON-DIEGETIC PIANO MUSIC FADES BACK IN QUIETLY. BUILDS UP THROUGHOUT THE SCENE.

 

CUT TO CLOSE UP OF DOOR SWINGING OPEN AND HARMONY’S FEET WALKING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CLASS.

HARMONY enters the classroom.

CUT TO CLOSE UP OF HARMONY’S NECK AND MOUTH. FACE NOT SHOWN.

HARMONY is in the front of the class, about to introduce herself.

HARMONY

Hello everyone! My name is Harmony! It's a pleasure to meet you all! I'm 16 years old and I just moved here a couple days ago. 

CUT TO CLOSE UP OF HAZEl.

HAZEL is in the same position as before. Not paying attention to HARMONY, still staring blankly with his hand covering his mouth. Appears to be in deep thought.

HARMONY CONTINUES TO SPEAK AS THIS SHOT OF HAZEL IS SHOWN.

HARMONY

Some things I like to do are... to read books, go out to parks, and uhm… [pause]

CUT BACK TO CLOSE UP OF HARMONY’S NECK AND MOUTH.

A slight smile is brought to HARMONY’S face as she says her next words.

HARMONY:

I love playing piano!

CUT TO EXTREME CLOSE UP OF HAZEL’S EYES

Piano music from earlier reaches its crescendo and is at its fastest pace.

HAZELS pupils swing widely towards HARMONY’S direction, in the front of the class.

CUT TO BLACK.

TEXT DISPLAYED: MOONLIGHT SONATA. ZOOMS IN SLOWLY FOR THE NEXT FEW SECONDS.