FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDIO - 10:30
PETER is playing the guitar.
PETER (V.O.): Last night, I went to bed early and slept well.
We hear the chord progression of the song "Yesterday".
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The melody came to Paul McCartney in a dream.
Playing the chords... Dm C Bb...
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I don't know about the others, but this part resonates with me.
We hear Peter playing the outro chords: Dm G7 Bb F.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I like to create anything simple and powerful too.
Act 2
INT. A CLUBHOUSE - 13:30
A private party. Over buffet, Peter talks to his NEPHEW.
PETER: What was your graduation work?
NEPHEW: I did an 18-minute film. It's a love drama.
PETER: A safe genre. The film "Parasite" has multiple genres, including drama, thriller, black comedy and social satire...
NEPHEW: Yes! South Korean films often feature a significant amount of social satire on power imbalance and corruption...
PETER: Yes, at least two former presidents have been imprisoned...Do you know that Lee Sun-kyun, an actor in "Parasite", has recently committed suicide?
NEPHEW: Yes.
PETER: I think he acted well...How do you find the Japanese film "Shoplifters"?
NEPHEW: I like it a lot! Hirokazu Kore-eda is a great director. I wish I'd do something similar.
PETER: "Shoplifters" is a complex, subtle and mysterious film. I love the hearty drama, the fine cinematography and acting performances.
NEPHEW: But foreign film styles aren't popular in US...
PETER: Then, return to the Asian world of film-making... I know it's a lot cheaper to make films outside US.
NEPHEW: Money is a constant hurdle for filmmakers.
PETER: When Arnold Schwarzenegger was CaIifornia's governor, I had the opportunity to work with his team to produce a 30-second HK public service announcement in US.
Peter's nephew looks curious.
PETER (Cont'd): On budgeting, I was smart enough to cap the maximum amount of about HKD10000 per second that Hong Kong Govt would contribute.
Peter's nephew listens attentively.
PETER (Cont'd): It turned out that the total production costs were more than 10 times of the HK budget....
NEPHEW: Yes, high labour costs, technology costs, legal and insurance costs etc. And major studios dominate the industry...
PETER: In general, film-making is a risky business for the production companies and investors.
NEPHEW: Yes, a film may not resonate with its target audience to generate sufficient revenue.
PETER: But there're independent filmmakers that work with small budget and allow creative freedom...
NEPHEW: That's why they've to gain recognition and success through film festivals...
PETER: And specialised distribution channels and streaming platforms that cater to niche audiences.
NEPHEW: Surviving the challenges isn't easy...Ang Lee's journey as a film maker is instructive...
PETER: True, so you'll continue to try your luck in California?
NEPHEW: Yes, film making is what I've learned in the past six years.
PETER: Anyhow, you've nothing to lose.
PETER (V.O.): In the early stage of anyone's career, challenges are inevitable. Recognition and success aren't easy to find.
Peter parts his nephew with kind eyes.
DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE - SOMEWHERE IN TIME
A. Office. Having sold the right of a feature screenplay, Peter gets a cheque of US$1million in return.
B. Set. Being directed by his nephew, Peter acts himself in a film featuring him.
C. Location. Peter offers advice to his director/editor nephew on cinematography and editing of takes.
D. Film festivals. Peter and his nephew win awards.
E. Media. Peter and his nephew become celebrities.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, I just want to be an ordinary people person telling compelling stories!
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - 20:00
Working on a laptop, Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Dreams in Motion" into a draft.
PETER (V.O): Documenting my dreams or goals, I set in motion of the process of becoming the person I most want to be.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe in my creative voice and stay committed to my dreamy vision.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Motion is the bridge between dreams and reality, turning intangible aspirations into tangible achievements.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments