Firebird

FADE IN

INT. COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC HALLWAY – DAY

Various close-up shots of musicians in practice rooms: wooden mallets banging on a vibraphone, an embouchure wrapping around an oboe mouthpiece, the horse hairs of a bow striking downward over a faded violin.

College girl REI shyly walks down the lively hall, carrying a modest folder. She enters an empty room. A single upright Clavinova piano rests in the corner. She sits and places her right foot on a pedal. Perfect reach. She places sheet music on the music stand and sits tall, inhaling deeply. She begins to play a Chopin etude.

Rei’s fingers glide across the keys in a wave-like motion. She is ecstasy as she freely plays. She moves with the music, swaying gently. Suddenly, her phone rings. Her arms and hands are frozen in place over the keys of an incomplete chord. She checks her messages and hurriedly gathers her things, rushing out of the practice room. She collides into NADYA, sending their sheet music all over the floor.

REI

Sorry!

NADYA

Ugh. Great!

Nadya glares at Rei, then at the scattered pages. Rei quickly gathers everything and catches the site of Nadya's music. Lines of multiple black notes move along each page, blending together like ants, rising and falling like mountains. Rei gawks, mouth ajar.

REI

Wow... I love Shostakovich. Have you-

NADYA

I’m late for my recital.

Nadya grabs her things from Rei and storms down the hall, her tamed, perfect brown curls bouncing after her. Rei follows.

INT. CONCERT HALL - CONTINUOUS

Rei enters the dark theater, occupied by students and teachers. A cellist was performing Cinema Paradiso. Rei sits in the back row next to her friend, BRIGETTE, a flutist.

BRIGETTE

Hey! Thanks again for the coffee this morning. Best brew yet. Were you squeezing in a last-minute practice sesh?

REI

Yeah, somewhat. I got off late and only had a minute to warm up.

BRIGETTE

What're you gonna play?

REI

You'll see! It's one of my favorites.

One after another, students perform solos of varying levels of mastery: A clarinet etude, followed by an opera excerpt. The next performer was Nadya. Loud applause erupts the hall as she takes center stage. She raises one arm and gives a lavish bow with a plastic smile, her freshly pressed gown glistening under the stage lights.

She plays Franz Liszt’s La Campanella, one of the most difficult piano pieces in existence. She plays with total control over the motion and precision of where she plants her fingers on each key. Her fingers fly across the keyboard. Flawless.

Everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves, except for Rei. Her shoulders are tensely raised, her right leg shakes violently, hands tightly grasping the armrests. Nadya slays her performance while Rei silently panics, breathing short breaths and sweating profusely. Brigette pats her hand.

BRIGETTE

Don’t worry, you got this. Just play like you make coffee.

Rei grips her sheet music tightly and makes her way backstage. Her hands are shaking uncontrollably. Nadya ends the piece gracefully, stands up, and bows. Rei glances at the exit. She takes a breath and forces a step into the spotlight. Applause welcomes her. She bows.

REI

H-hello. I'm Rei and uh, today I'll be playing Nocturne Opus 9 Number 2 in... E flat major... By Frederic Chopin.

She gazes at the sea of people. The eerie quietness of the hall fills the air. She turns around and realizes she is completely alone.

She takes a seat at the piano and adjusts the bench. The stool gets stuck, it is far too high, but she bashfully moves on. Shakily, she props her music on the piano stand. Her music slides and falls off the stage; a classmate retrieves it for her. She manages to strike the first note.

Her arms move like waves, but her hands are stiff. She glances out at the audience, feeling dozens of eyes watching her every move. Her body trembles fiercely.

Suddenly, she hits a wrong note, the sour sound echoing through the hall. She keeps going but hits another wrong note. She stops playing for a second and frantically searches the music. She resumes and plays the next phrase successfully.

She scans the music toward the finale, except there is no last page. She spots Nadya by the curtain, holding her music with a smirk. She strikes incorrect chords and plays a harmony that doesn't match. She stops again, frantically trying to remember what comes next...

Playing resumes, then stops again. She backtracks and reiterates the last passage, stops, then plays from the introduction. Her hands are out of control, her body shaking vigorously. She plays a mangled mess; the music is off-beat that sounds like barking dogs.

All of a sudden, she completely stops, the piece unfinished. Rei sheepishly gets up and gives a timid bow, avoiding eye contact. Students look at each other with puzzled expressions, yet offer quiet applause. Rei grabs her music and scrambles offstage in tears.

Brigette waits behind the curtain with her flute.

BRIGETTE

Hey, good job, Rei. It's not easy getting up there, but you did it.

Rei gasps for air.

REI

It was horrible!! I was missing a page and-

BRIGETTE

Hey hey, it's ok! You got through it.

Nadya appears behind the curtain.

NADYA

Oops, must've grabbed this by mistake. Here's your, um, "music."

Nadya chuckles. She flings the page to Rei as if it had bacteria and exits.

INT. COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC STUDIO– AFTERNOON

Rei sits on a stool behind a grand piano in a cramped studio, watching her professor DR. HILDY practice a concerto. Powerful hands play with grace, music fit for a king. Hildy enthusiastically ends the piece and scribbles marks in her score, before finally turning her attention to Rei.

HILDY

I don't expect you to play perfectly. More importantly, I want you to learn from and improve with every wrong note.

REI

But Hildy, it's only the second week of school and there are kids already at concert-level. I've been practicing every day over the summer, but I'm still no good.

HILDY

Well, they do have more performance experience. Don't compare yourself. You'll get there, sweetheart.

REI

Yeah, but they didn't mess up as badly as I did.

HILDY

One sure way to get better is to practice in front of people. Whether it's one person or thirty, you'll gradually become more comfortable on stage.

Hildy gets up and motions for Rei to take her spot.

HILDY

Another trick is to pretend I'm not here. Imagine you are alone, playing your most favorite piece. Try it.

Rei plays an unknown tune, her arms climbing over and under each other, as she moves up and down the keys playing a lush, elaborate scale that shapes a beautiful, romantic melody. Hildy's expression hardens and softens as the music intensifies and releases. Rei ends with an embellished, delicate high note.

HILDY

Oh, my stars. I have never heard such a thing. What was that?

Rei blushes and shrugs.

REI

I wrote it, but I don't have a name for it, yet.

HILDY

THAT is how I want you to play during recitals. You know, there's a showcase held every spring for musicians to perform their best work. I highly recommend you play one of your compositions. The judges love original work and award prizes.

REI

Oh, I don't know... It's only my first semester in the program, I don't think I'm good enough.

The door opens. In walks Nadya, her brown curls gathered in a perfect high ponytail, not a strand of hair out of place.

NADYA

I'm ready for my lesson.

HILDY

Oh, Nadya, GREAT job on your performance yesterday. I was very impressed by how quickly you fixed those phrases. Well-done.

Rei slumps in her seat and avoids Nadya's glare. Hildy hands Rei a piano book.

HILDY

Practice pages four through nine without the pedal, some sections sounded a little "muddy".

NADYA (TO HERSELF)

That's not the only thing she should practice...

HILDY

I hope you sign up for the recital, though. Nadya will be in it!

Nadya bites her lip, her eyebrow raises subtly.

REI

I'll think about it, I'm not sure if I can request the day off from work.

HILDY

I don't think you'd want to miss out, though. An opportunity to study under Dimitri Gliakovskaya this summer is awarded to the winner.

Rei and Nadya both gasp.

REI

Dimitri Gliadkovskaya? Composer and pianist Dimitri Gliadkovskaya??

NADYA

Professor... The recital is reserved for serious musicians, it sounds like Rei needs the money more than she'd want to miss a shift.

HILDY

She has what it takes alright. I wouldn't be recommending her if I didn't think so.

Rei smiles at Hildy before leaving. She stops to look at her compositions and hurries into a practice room.

INT. PRACTICE ROOMS - DAY

MONTAGE

- Rei gets ready for the day at 5:00 a.m. and heads out with a dirty apron and books.

- Rei is in a practice room, repeatedly playing the same scale. She frequently messes up and starts over.

- Rei carefully decorates a latte and delivers it to a customer.

- Rei steps out of her practice room, stretching with an apron in hand. She spots Nadya performing in front of students in the concert hall and peaks inside. Nadya confidently plays. Rei scurries off when everyone claps.

BACK TO SCENE

Rei meditates at a piano in an empty piano lab. She looks at the keys for a beat and plays a sonata. Her gestures are more confident, gradually transforming the piece into an improvised composition, making it her own.

Unbeknownst to her, Nadya is peering through the door from behind, fuming. Nadya gazes at Rei making magic so effortlessly. She could be the next greatest film composer if she wanted to. Nadya envied her gift.

Rei comes to a gradual halt. Nadya scurries away. Rei exhales slowly and jots down notes.

INT. CONCERT HALL - LATE AFTERNOON

Rei waits backstage with Brigette, taking deep breaths and rubs her hands with chalk powder. They peer out into the crowd. The oboist is putting the students to sleep with his solo.

BRIGETTE

Break a leg, Rei. You're gonna do great.

The oboist ends his piece. The crowd wakes up to applaud. Rei takes center stage and bows.

REI

Today I will be performing Mendelssohn's Song Without Words.

Rei sits and confidently adjusts the bench. She spots Nadya in the crowd. Nadya whispers something to her friends, laughing out loud. Rei wipes her hands on her dress, smoothing out the black fabric. She focuses on the keys and begins.

The tune comes out with ease. Some students smile, while others start laughing. A professor addresses the disruption. The commotion distracts Rei, who makes eye contact with Nadya.

Rei snaps back to reality and looks at her peers, the empty stage, and the many keys. Her hands begin to sweat and she takes quicker short breaths. She plays incorrect passages, repeating the same mistakes.

The class starts whispering among themselves. The faculty jots down notes, not looking too pleased. Rei ends the piece as best she can, gets up, and bows.

PROFESSOR 2

Rei... Um. Good job, but we were hoping you would have come more prepared since your last performance. What happened?

REI

I got a little distracted and couldn't find my spot in the sheet music.

PROFESSOR 3

It's important that your music is memorized. What can you do to get better? If you don't perform up to par, we're going to reassign you to another class.

Rei gasps for breath and bolts offstage in tears. She hides in the shadows, where Nadya waits.

REI

Why couldn't you stay quiet?? I was doing so well, now I'm gonna kicked out of Applied Music!

Nadya just shrugs with a pleased grin.

NADYA

Maybe you're just not cut out for this kinda thing. Ever thought of changing majors?

REI

I don't get it. I stay out of your way, why are you still a jerk?

NADYA

I'm not a composer. I can't pull something out of my ass like you can.

REI

So? You don't have stage fright and can play in front of people just fine, am I missing something?

Nadya steps forward, her face inches from Rei's.

NADYA

I'm gonna win that mentorship and be famous, but more importantly, a way better composer than you. I already own the stage, this spotlight is MINE.

Nadya whips around and emerges from the wings. She confidently owns center stage and bows gracefully.

NADYA

Hi everybody! Today I have for you a piece you may all have heard before. Enjoy.

She winks at Rei and takes a seat. Out comes Mendelssohn's Song Without Words. At first, she plays Rei's solo, but then adds the embellished orchestral accompaniment transcribed for solo piano. She decorates the piece with rich harmonies.

She ends with a bang. The crowd goes wild. Nadya receives a standing ovation while Rei runs off, trashing her music.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - LATE MORNING

Rei sits at a table staring at a cup of coffee. Bridgette enters and spots Rei, immediately joining her lonely table.

BRIGETTE

Hey, Rei. You haven't been replying to my messages.

REI

I've been working and writing research papers.

BRIGETTE

Research papers? We don't have to write papers in any of our classes. Did you mean a concert report?

REI

No. A RESEARCH paper, APA style, 7,000 words.

BRIGETTE

The recital is coming up and you're focusing on a term paper? I thought you were doing it?

REI

I WAS. But I changed my mind... and my major. Communications is more for me anyway. I'm a poor excuse for a musician who can't play ONE good song in front of other people.

BRIDGETTE

Rei... All musicians get nervous, even Yo-Yo Ma. You've accomplished so much, you can't give up now.

REI

I already canceled all my piano lessons... and my last performance. I gotta go, break time's over.

Rei gets up and trashes her coffee.

BRIGETTE

It's not about performing something perfect you know. It's about playing a song that you love and want to share. Don't you want to share what you've written? You have a beautiful dream. Don't throw it away just because of a few stumbles.

HILDY

She's absolutely on the money.

Hildy appears behind Brigette.

HILDY

You were coming along so well, I had high hopes for you. Won't you give it another shot? The recital could use a composer.

Rei is silent for a moment. The cafe is starting to get busy.

REI

No, I can't. I'd rather write term papers than have to play in front of another jury again.

HILDY

Please, Rei. I know you want to write music, not essays.

REI

Even if I do play, Nadya won't let me play in peace.

HILDY

I gave her a little chat. Don't worry about Nadya. There's still time to prep, but you'll have to do double time if you want to be ready. Here, you'll need these.

She hands Rei a stack of music.

REI

My music!

HILDY

See you tomorrow bright and early.

INT. PRACTICE ROOMS - NIGHT

MONTAGE

- Rei practices nonstop over the course of the next few days. She rises early and retires late.

- Hildy counts rhythmically as Rei plays. Hildy shakes her head,

then nods as Rei formulates a new chord.

- Rei clocks out and leaves the cafe with a stack of music.

- Rei performs in the concert hall in front of Brigette and a few other classmates. Rei finishes with a pleased smile.

END OF MONTAGE

INT. CONCERT HALL - LATE AFTERNOON

Rei waits backstage. Parents, students, and faculty fill the theater. The judges sit in the balcony with DIMITRI GLIADKOVSKAYA, nodding in approval of Nadya's rendition of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major.

HILDY

Remember. No one is out there. Imagine a wall in front of everybody. You are playing for yourself.

REI

Thanks, Hildy.

The crowd applauds and Nadya exits to the opposite wing. She turns around and is startled when Rei takes the stage. Nadya crosses her arms with a pout. Rei gives a graceful bow.

REI

Hi everyone. Today I will be playing a special piece that I composed just for you. It's an original work I call "Firebird".

She tucks the music stand into the piano and opens the lid higher. Her eyes close for a moment, then she unleashes her fingers.

Not a single person was watching; rather, everyone was listening intently, eyes closed, and moving with the music. Rei commands the keys just as strongly as her presence commands attention. The judges' hardened expressions have softened. Professor Hildy and Brigette smile proudly, Nadya scoffs.

Rei has summoned magic. The climax tugs at the heartstrings with powerful harmonic progression. A twinkle in the right-hand ends the masterpiece. She pauses and lifts her hands in closure, the crowd remains silent. Then, gradual applause builds to a frenzy. Rei gets up, smiling from ear to ear and bows.

CUT TO:

INT. CONCERT HALL - LATER

Dimitri awards the winners: Nadya receives a bronze medal, while Rei is bestowed with a bouquet and a gold plaque. The crowd gives one final applaud, requesting an encore from Rei. Hildy gives Rei a nod, who plays Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in E-Flat Major.