A Story and a Pitch
Cinderella, my screenplay adaptation of Charles Perrault’s original fable was written 20 years ago. Had a soft spot for and sought out any and all versions of the story. Between libraries, bookstores & yard sales, there’s a surprising number of retellings out there; trust me, I’ve read most of them. (The market will always bear another Cinderella story, it's undeniable, everyone loves one.) Somewhere in the midst of all that intake, the idea started formulating for the screenplay.
Much of the story came to life through music, unfolded while listening to one composer in particular, Gustav Holst. His music and the story are a perfect match.
When you're done reading, hit the link above, the music makes the moments. From the first ten seconds of imperial strings in Holst's St. Paul's Suite ~ Jig: Vivace, with the title, Cinderella, scripting across black matte, glidding in time to the vibrant dance between the strings and bow, to the dip in tone as the violins usher a fade-in to the bustling life within a stately castle, the music brings the fable to life. It presses on, flying out the door in a soaring aerial of the breath-taking English countryside, to that last four powerful seconds with the aerial pushing into 7 year old Jane/Cinderella, sitting in her second story window seat, waiting for her new mother and step-sisters to arrive. It's a "noteworthy" vision.
This second link takes you to Holst's St. Paul's Suite, H 118, Op. 29 -3. Intermezzo. Listening to this masterpiece brings the transformation scene to life with sheer joy, that all-important moment when the strings emerge again and send 17 year-old Cinderella in search of a pumpkin.
Her Godmother, introduced in Cinderella’s childhood scenes, brings devastating news of her terminal illness. Cinderella says her tearful goodbye, knowing she will never see her again. Now ten years dead, inexplicably, she stands before Cinderella and the miracles begin. Holst’s strings build the elation as each component of the coach is gathered and created. The pizzicato measures paint the utter elation of a loving young woman who has known only burden and heartache, but now finds herself dashing through the grounds of their handsome cottage gathering the unique requests of her Godmother; steps that will alter her life forever. The strings announce the jubilant transformation, piece by piece, to the euphoric flash of the dress and glass slippers.
After being sent on her way, the strings push on, building to the crescendo, the stunning gilded coach, speeding through the night to the castle. Six white stags, hooves pounding with power and grace to the music, racing the countryside, delivering a radiant Cinderella to her destiny. Transformed in her miraculous journey ~ beautiful, beyond words.
A magical transformation, a memorable movie moment.
With no bites on the script 20 years ago, (after advice from a Fox exec it had been told too much,) I shelved the idea and moved on to the next script. Until recently. Signs the story has found it’s time have been convincing, was compelled to dust it off. There's more to this story, as a writer, I’m a serial editor; have a hard time stopping. The book I have on Amazon went through 13 drafts. My blog is worked and reworked before it ever hits hypertext transfer protocol. I’m particular and a profectionist to a fault. Was sure when I opened the script after 20 long ones, I'd be spending the next year cleaning it up, but that wasn't the case. Beyond adding two scenes, the screenplay was solid in the original form. Seriously, that's impossible. Can only conclude, Cinderella, has a life beyond my shelf. Good things come to she who waits.
It’s a real Cinderella story.
You can find the screenplay at:
https://writers.coverfly.com/projects/view/06ab083d-b2c2-420b-841c-1ddcfa78f41d/Cinderella
Sooze
Writer/Director