Screenplay

1. INT BACKSTAGE Panning shot from left to right with POSTERS of previous performances. JAKE DESCHAIN is performing in each of them, they are ordered chronologically with years & names (including his name), some of them with his photo on. We HEAR background sound and music from a DANCER on stage and AUDIENCE reactions. 2. PANNING SHOT POSTERS CONTD 3. FOLLOW TO INT BACKSTAGE The dancer goes backstage, the camera follows her to a row of CHAIRS. JAKE is sitting on one of the chairs reading a SCRIPT. He gets up just on time for the dancer to sit down on his seat. The dancer doesnt seem to notice Jake is there. 4. INT BACKSTAGE The camera pans around to show OTHER ACTS preparing for their roles. We HEAR and SEE some of them rehearsing their lines. Two of them are SWORD FENCING. FENCER 1 En gade! They continue in this manner. FENCER 1 does a good move. FENCER 2 is surprised and happy with it. FENCER 2 Wow, great move, do that in the show! We SEE, but not hear them discuss this move in more detail. The camera moves on to another act - A MAGICIAN doing tricks. SOUND FADE IN: audience in the theater hall, cheering on the current performer. 5. INT BACKSTAGE CUT TO JAKE is walking up and down, focused on his lines. We SEE and HEAR him say the following lines:

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JAKE Life, is most certainly a stage. It has its own acts; Birth, Childhood, the dreaded Teenage years, Adulthood and of course Old age. Though what really counts in life is... 6. PANNING SHOT CONTD; AUDIENCE BACKGROUND SOUND 7. INT BACKSTAGE CONTD

2.

JAKE starts putting his costume (JACKET) on, a DARK costume contrasting the bright colours of other acts around him. JAKE Its a funny thing, life. Just when you think you have the hang of it, it changes its shape and manifests itself into something different. Sometimes grander, but other times, it turns into a beast that you cannot control... 8. INT BACKSTAGE CUT TO the fencers having a lively discussion. FRANCINE says the following with a heavy sigh. He is obviously an admirer of the person he is speaking about. EDDIE Do you remember him in the Bootleg Sailor? FRANCINE Shame that hes not here tonight. He would have been great. FRANCINE brightens up; he, too, is excited to be remembering this person. EDDIE Yeah, he would have been the perfect fit. He had a way of connecting to the audiences soul. It was magical. They murmur their agreeableness, their voices rising in happy tones (SOUND FADE OUT). They miss this person dearly, that is evident.

3.

9. CUT TO INT STAGE CURRENT PERFORMER + AUDIENCE SOUND The MAGICIAN is performing his last trick on stage. He wows the audience with his finale. 10. INT BACKSTAGE CUT TO Jakes performance (rehearsal) which becomes more powerful and emotional. JAKE Life, is harsh, but fair. Ugly, yet beautiful. Long, yet so short. If you grasp as many opportunities it throws at you, it can be amazing. Yet few are the lucky people to embrace this... 11. WHILE TALKING: CUT TO PANNING CONTD. 12. INT BACKSTAGE CONTD The other acts are rehearsing in the background. We HEAR mixed murmur from their lines - and sword sounds from the fencers. JAKE does not look at the other acts. Hes focused on rehearsing his lines and getting ready. 13. INT BACKSTAGE The MAGICIAN comes off stage. We HEAR the audience cheer with delight. He rushes over to the group. 14. INT BACKSTAGE (CONTD) They greet the magician with smiles and open arms. JAKE is between the magician and the group. The guy just walks through Jake & towards the group. 15. INT BACKSTAGE CUT TO Jake takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. He walks up to the steps. He can HEAR the crowd cheering. He walks up the steps. The curtains open.

4.

16. INT STAGE The house lights are off. Just small side lights are on. Jake stands like he is stage fright. He tries to clear his throat but NO SOUND comes out. The audience is silent. As he is about to speak, the microphone gives FEEDBACK. The spotlight comes on. Jake vanishes. An ANNOUNCER comes on stage. ANNOUNCER Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the talents of Jake Deschain. We hope you are enjoying this tribute to him... 17. CUT TO INT STAGE Another performer comes to the spotlight and starts performing. SOUND FADE OUT. 18. CUT TO PANNING SHOT CONTD The last poster on the row is for tonights show - In Memory of Jake, who recently passed away. THE END.