This blog post (Written by me, Maxi) features the final screenplay for Moonlight Sonata's opening credits.
MOONLIGHT SONATA
BY MAXIMILIAN GEHLEN
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:
INT. HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 13 YEARS AGO
HAZEL is playing the piano joyfully as his MOM gives positive remarks while recording him with a camcorder.
MOM
(enthusiastically)
Keep going! You’re doing great!
FADE TO:
INT. HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 9 YEARS AGO
MEDIUM SHOT FROM BEHIND
HAZEL continues to play the piano, turning to his mother while smiling, as he now has 4 TROPHIES on his shelf and a picture of him with his mother, which shows Hazel holding a trophy.
FADE TO:
INT. HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - 6 YEARS AGO
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.
CUT TO:
INT. HAZEL’S ROOM - DAY - PRESENT
DOLLY of HAZEL still playing the piano. Dozens of trophies on his shelf can now be seen, 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.
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP of MOTHER shouting at HAZEL
MOM
(yelling)
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 the piano keys he is playing on.
HAZEL begins to tear up while his eyes turn red. However, he continues to play the piano.
CUT TO:
INT. MUSIC CLUB CLASSROOM - DAY
NON-DIEGETIC piano music stops. Replaced by HAZEL’S diegetic playing.
MATCH CUT of HAZEL 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:
CLOSE UP of HAZEL’S hands, playing the piano from the side.
HAZEL continues to play, while his clubs’ teacher tells him to stop - however HAZEL is too focussed on playing to hear it.
[TEACHERS voice starts faded and gets clearer as he speaks]
TEACHER(O/S)
(With increasing volume)
Hazel. Hazel.
CUT TO:
OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of TEACHER
[Voice is now fully clear]
TEACHER
(shouting)
Hazel!
BACK TO:
POV SHOT of HAZEL 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:
CLOSE UP of TEACHER.
TEACHER
Get back to your seat, Hazel.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF HAZEL, as he stands up from the piano chair.
CUT TO:
HAZEL walks to his desk, 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:
TEACHER stands at the front of the class as he begins to introduce the music club's newest member.
TEACHER
Good afternoon everyone! Today we have a new student joining us in our music club!
TEACHER waves his hand in a “come here” motion towards HARMONY.
NON-DIEGETIC PIANO MUSIC FADES BACK IN QUIETLY. BUILDS UP THROUGHOUT THE SCENE.
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP DOLLY OF HARMONY’S FEET AS SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND WALKS TO THE CENTER OF THE CLASSROOM
CUT TO:
CLOSE UP of HARMONY’S mouth and neck. [FULL 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.
BACK TO:
HAZEL 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(O/S)
Some things I like to do are to read books, go out to parks, and uhm… (pause)
BACK TO:
HARMONY SPEAKING
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.
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