scriopt

1. Created using Celtx
INT.ORPHANAGE.MORNING
The CAMERA PANS through a narrow corridor in the orphanage
while "Blueberry hill" by Fats Domino plays. The walls are
void of colour and wallpaper is peeling in some places. JOHN,
a child at the age of 2 with shiny blonde hair is playing on
a toy xylophone far away from any of the other children. His
future parents are stood behind him. JOAN a tall black woman
in a multi coloured dress is stood with JACKIE, slightly
taller than Joan and wearing a blue suit. Jackie kneels down
to talk to John.
JACKIE
Hey, little man. What you playin'
there?
John shows Jackie the xylophone and starts hitting random
notes. They both laugh at each other. Jackie stands back up
and walks away with John trailing behind him towards the
front desk of the orphanage.
RECEPTIONIST
John hasn't said a single word since
he got here, we don't know if he was
ever taught before his parents died.
JACKIE
Don't worry, I can tell this little
guy can sing his heart out someday
John points at Joan, he smiles, and she picks him up
JOAN
Don't he just got the worlds most
beautiful smile, honey?
CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON JOHN STILL SMILING, DISSOLVE INTO CLOSE UP
OF JOHN
INT.SPARKS FAMILY HOME.MORNING
It's Johns Birthday, he is now 10 years old with the same
shiny, blonde hair. He is sat round a table filled with
plates of food, with SAM his little brother with short curly
brown hair and MIKE his older brother with the same short
curly brown hair.
ALL
Happy Birthday Johnny!

2. 2.
Created using Celtx
JACKIE
Me and your mother got you a little
something in the living room you might
wanna take a look at
John rushes into the living room and heads straight for a
long box wrapped with blue wrapping paper without any
hesitation, He shreds open the paper. It's a guitar box. He
pulls it open with a big smile on his face to find a wooden
acoustic guitar inside.
JOHN
Is this mine? Where did you even get
this? How do I play it?
MIKE
It's mine. We stole it, and you don't.
Joan frowns at Mike and hits him on the back of the head
JOAN
It's all yours. Your dad can teach
you, he used to play to me all the
time.
JACKIE
God has been good to us boy, I hope
you enjoy playing this as much as I
did.
John starts randomly plucking at strings with his dad helping
him tune the guitar.
JOAN
Don't you boys get carried away now!
You know we gotta leave for church in
an hour.
CUT TO
INT.CHURCH.AFTERNOON
The church is crowded with people, John looks around
confused.
JOHN
Mama Joan, how come I'm the only white
boy here?
JACKIE
This is a black church son, but you're

3. 3.
Created using Celtx
here with us. You might not be our son
but you're still Gods child.
PREACHER
Everybody! Everybody! Come now, sit
down, sit down! Today is a special day
for us all! Not only is it a Sunday,
but it is also Johnny Sparks Birthday!
Come here Johnny boy!
John freezes in place for a moment, he stands up with the
same big smile on his face he had from opening his guitar. He
rushes up to stand next to the PREACHER
PREACHER
Tell me boy, How old are you?
JOHN
I'm 10 Sir
PREACHER
Boy, you don't gotta call me Sir.
We're all family here.
The preacher puts both hands on each of Johns shoulders.
PREACHER
We got a song to sing just for you
John.
Everybody in the church stands up and starts singing "Oh
Happy Day". John turns back to the Preacher and smiles again.
PREACHER
Happy Birthday son, god bless you and
your folks.
FADE INTO
INT.SCHOOL CLASSROOM.MORNING
John is 16, sat at the back of a classroom full of black
children. A tall skinny black Teacher, MR ROSS walks in, the
class falls silent.
MR ROSS
Everybody, I am Mr Ross, your Tutor
for the next few years. I teach music
and acting, I've been here longer than
you've been alive.

4. 4.
Created using Celtx
Some children look back at John and start to giggle. Mr Ross
quickly snaps towards them.
MR ROSS
Something funny boys? Anything you
wanna share with us?
CHILD 1
(giggling)
Mr Ross, why is there a white boy in
here?
MR ROSS
Hey now, none of that. What's your
name back there boy?
JOHN
Me? I'm John Sir, John Sparks.
MR ROSS
You wouldn't happen to be Jackie
Sparks' boy would you?
JOHN
Yes sir, that's my father sir.
MR ROSS
Ain't that wonderful, we got the son
of one of the greatest musicians I
ever heard.
BOY 2
This white boy? He ain't shit.
MR ROSS
Get out my classroom. I won't take
that disrespect or that language in my
class.
The boy storms out the classroom looking back at John. The
bell rings and everyone gets up to leave.
CUT TO
INT.MUSIC ROOM.AFTERNOON
John is sat at a piano slowly poking keys which turns into
"Great balls of fire".

5. 5.
Created using Celtx
JOHN
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain Too much love
drives a man insane You broke my will But what a thrill...
MR ROSS
Goodness gracious great balls of fire!
John jumps, slams the piano shut and stands up next to the
piano
JOHN
Sorry Mr Ross, I won't touch the piano
again!
MR ROSS
Sit down boy, it's all good. You don't
see a name on that piano. It's yours
to use all you want. But you really
are Jackie Boys son.
JOHN
What makes you say that?
MR ROSS
I heard Jackie sing, never seen him
touch a piano though. Where'd you
learn that?
JOHN
My brother Mikey, he's great with a
piano. They're not my real family,
otherwise I would be white.
MR ROSS
(laughing)
I got a deal for you son. This room,
it's all yours, only if you join the
school blues band.
JOHN
Really? This whole room? Sure thing Mr
Ross!
They both smile at each other and walk out the room together.
MR ROSS
Don't you worry about them boys
neither, you got talent kid.

6. 6.
Created using Celtx
MR ROSS LOCKS THE DOOR, CAMERA CUTS ON LOCK SOUND
EXT.TREMÉ STREET.AFTERNOON
The boys from this morning are following John home who is
humming the tune to "great balls of fire"
BOY 2
Hey White boy! lemme ask you
something.
JOHN
What's up guys? Mr Ross didn't go to
hard on y-
One of the boys punches John in the face breaking his nose.
John falls to the floor holding his bleeding nose.
BOY 2
If you get me into shit like that ever
again I will end you, you hear me
white boy?
JOHN
What did I even do to you?
A short black girl with pigtail hair comes across the boys
standing over John and pushes them away.
ALISON
What did you assholes do to this boy?
Good to see neither of you have
changed since last year. Go home, if
your mama didn't already throw your
asses out.
John looks up at the girl who helps him up and gives him a
tissue to clean his nose up.
JOHN
Thank you miss, I'm John Sparks.
ALISON
Boy, I know who you are I was there
when those meatheads were in class
this morning. I'm Alison but I'm not
gonna be your bodyguard for the year,
just be more careful yeah?
They both smile at each other and continue walking home
together.

7. 7.
Created using Celtx
FADE INTO
EXT.CROSSROADS.LATE AFTERNOON
ALISON
Well, I'll see you later white boy.
Look after yourself.
John smiles and walks towards his house still holding the
tissue to his nose. The Camera tracks alongside John to his
house he opens the door to his older brother Mike.
MIKE
What happened to you? Did someone do
this to you?
JOHN
Relax man, relax. Just some stupid
kids from my class
MIKE
Right. Go clean that up before mom
sees, she'll be home in less than 10
minutes
John storms past Mike to the bathroom
CUT TO
INT.BATHROOM.LATE AFTERNOON
John is cleaning himself up in the bathroom when he looks
into the mirror
JOHN
(whispering)
Another year of this bullshit.
JOAN(V.O)
I'm home!
John turns the tap off and leaves the bathroom. Door closes
on the camera.
CUT TO
INT.DINING ROOM.LATE AFTERNOON
The sparks family are sat round the dinner table the room is
heavily lit by a ceiling light.

8. 8.
Created using Celtx
JOAN
How was every ones first day back at
school?
SAM
It was great! we got to play some new
instruments
JACKIE
What about you Johnny? You're in your
last year, how's that going?
JOHN
I got invited to join the school blues
band
Mike spits out his food in fury
MIKE
You can't be serious, it's been a day
and they already put you on the blues
band? I was trying the whole year and
never got in.
JOHN
Mr Ross heard me singing something and
thought it was good, I don't know what
to tell you.
JACKIE
Where'd you learn to sing? What song?
JOHN
I pick things up from the radio. It
was that one balls of fire song I
think
MIKE
I can't believe this bullshit
Mike slams his fists on the table in rage, he gets up and
storms off to his room
JOAN
Boy, watch your language and get back
here
JACKIE
Leave him, I'll take his dinner up to
him and see if I can talk to him

9. 9.
Created using Celtx
CUT TO
INT.JOHNS BEDROOM.LATE AFTERNNON
John is sat in his room reading a book. His dad walks in.
John lowers the book to see who it is and then put it back up
to his face.
JACKIE
Look kid, when we picked you up, I
knew one day you was gonna sing your
heart out. Just 'cuz Big Mikey in
there don't believe in you, don't mean
we ain't either.
JOHN (TEARING)
Imma prove him wrong dad, one day I'll
have my own studio, my own tracks.
I'll make a hit. You hear me a fucking
hit!
JACKIE
Hey keep it down. But I get you, and I
see it too, we all see it.
DISSOVLE INTO
INT.MUSIC ROOM.MORNING
John is sat in the music room once again at the piano playing
"Ain't that a shame". We see Mike walk past the music room
and walk back to look through the window on the door and
watch his brother on the piano. He walks into the music room
and waits for John to finish the song.
JOHN
(singing)
Ain't that a shame, My tears fell like rain, Ain't that a
shame, You're the one to blame
MIKE
You sound just like dad
JOHN
So what, now you're just not pissed
off at me?
MIKE
Shut up man, I tried all year last
year to get into the blues band and

10. 10.
Created using Celtx
they rejected me, you gotta understand
that I'll be a little bit jealous.
What do they want you to do anyway.
JOHN
We're playing a sort of show this
Friday, I'm playing and singing great
balls of fire. You better be there
MIKE
Yeah, Yeah I'll see you
John goes back to playing "Ain't that a shame". It fades out.
FADE INTO
EXT.TREMÉ STREET.AFTERNOON
John and Mike are walking home together when the two boys
from yesterday are back. One of them puts his arm round Johns
shoulder.
BOY 1
Hey Johnny, how's your nose buddy? Is
it broken or do you always look like
that?
MIKE
Hey, get the fuck off him man, who
even are you?
BOY 2
Who's this your new bodyguard? Aren't
you both Sparks boys? What are you
gonna do? Sing us a song?
Mike pushes boy 2 back and he falls backwards onto the other
one
MIKE
If you don't leave this white boy here
alone. I'll be the one singing at your
funeral.
Both boys smirk at Mike and walk in the opposite direction.
Mike and John laugh at each other.
JOHN
(laughing)
You see that guys face when you pushed

11. 11.
Created using Celtx
him?
MIKE
(Laughing)
I got eyes don't I?
Alison pushes between the two boys
ALISON
What's so funny?
MIKE
Alison! This is my brother, we call
him Big Mikey. He just put those two
on their asses
ALISON
What's good Mikey? John are you
playing at that show Friday?
JOHN
How do you know? But yeah, I'm on
piano and main vocals.
ALISON
Mr Ross put some big flashy ass poster
outside the music room
JOHN
Of course he did, will I see you
there?
ALISON
Bet your ass you will
They continue walking down the street to the crossroads where
Alison parts from the two again. John and Mikey reach the
house but the front door has been left wide open.
JOHN
Mom wouldn't be home right now would
she?
MIKE
No, not at all. What's going on?
Sam runs out the front to his two older brothers with tears
running down his face.

12. 12.
Created using Celtx
SAM
Guys! Somethings happened to dad! I
don't know what but please you gotta
help him.
CUT TO
INT.KITCHEN.LATE AFTERNOON
The two brothers rush into the house and find their dad
collapsed on the floor. John drops down next to him.
JOHN
Dad? Are you awake? Mikey call an
ambulance.
MIKE
Is he breathing? We gotta get him-
JOHN
(Shouting)
Call a fuckin' ambulance!
Mike rushes to the phone on the kitchen wall and dials for an
ambulance. At the same time, Joan is just walking through the
door with a smile that instantly drops.
JOAN
What happened? Is he alright?
JOHN
We don't know, me and Mikey were
walking home and Little Sammy ran out
saying something happened to dad. An
ambulance is on the way!
The sound of the ambulance draws close and the whole family
is stood around Jackie in the kitchen. Two paramedics run
into the house to check on jackie
PARAMEDIC 1
How longs he been like this?
JOHN
We dont know we just got home and
found him here!
PARAMEDIC 1
Is he on any kind of medication that
you know of?

13. 13.
Created using Celtx
JOAN
(Tearing)
He doesn't take anything
PARAMEDIC 2
We're gonna have to get him to the
hospital now
Both paramedics run back outside to grab a stretcher and run
back in. They lift Jackie into the stretcher, John and Mikey
get into the ambulance with him.
CUT TO
INT.HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM.LATE AFTERNOON
John, Sam, Joan and Mike are all sat next to each other in a
tightly packed, well lit waiting room when a doctor calls
them to come outside the waiting room.
DOCTOR
Well I'm sorry everyone but Jackie has
passed away after a sequence of heart
attacks starting from when you found
him.
John turns away from everyone else while he starts crying. He
turns to a box of medical supplies on the wall and punches it
while screaming until it falls off the wall. Mike pulls him
to the side away from everyone else.
MIKE
(Crying)
What's wrong with you man, keep it
together
JOHN
You seem to be doing a good job of
that
MIKE
Look man you think dad would have
wanted you to act like that? Don't
lose your shit like that ever again
JOHN
Fuck you Mikey, can you even fathom
what im going through
Mike grabs Mike by the collar of his shirt

14. 14.
Created using Celtx
MIKE
Listen, he was my father too in case
you forgot! I lost someone too. You're
not the only one here.
JOHN
Get off me man!
John pushes Mike off him and starts walking home from the
hospital while Mike watches him walk away.
CUT TO
INT.HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM.LATE AFTERNOON
Mike walks back into the waiting room where Sam and Joan are
still sat and crying. He sits down next his mother and leans
against her.
JOAN
Where's Johnny gone?
MIKE
He went on home, mom, He went on home
DISSOLVE TO
INT.JOHNS BEDROOM.LATE AFTERNNON
John is sat playing his guitar when there's a knock at the
door. He slowly walks down the stairs to answer it. He opens
the door to Alison
ALSION
Hey, what's up, where's everybody
else?
JOHN
My dad died earlier today, he had a
series of heart attacks and we weren't
even here for him
ALISON
No man, don't be talking like that,
this ain't your fault!
Alison pulls him in for a hug and pats his back
ALISON
Why don't we go out somewhere, better
than keeping you inside all day.

15. 15.
Created using Celtx
CUT TO
INT.RESTERAUNT.NIGHT
Alison and John are sat round a table in a restaurant with
empty plates in front of them. John is sit with his head in
his hands and Alison looks at him upset.
ALISON
Come on man you can't blame yourself
for something like this. You and Mikey
did good to call the ambulance. I got
an idea, come with me.
Alison gets up and grabs Johns hand and pulls him to a
dancefloor.
JOHN
Oh no, Alison come on this isn't a
good idea, I can't dance. Lets just
go.
"Long tall sally" by Little Richard plays
ALISON
Come on white boy you got to move to
this song right?
Alison starts dancing to the song while Alex watches but
still clicking his fingers to the song.
ALISON
Come on Shy Johnny move!
JOHN
Shy Johnny? That's got a ring to it
you know?
John slowly starts to move into a dance with Alison. He
speeds up and dances energetically to the song.
ALISON
There you go! Haha! You got it
FADE INTO
EXT.TREME STREET.NIGHT
Alison and John are walking home together laughing and eating
candy from a paper bag.

16. 16.
Created using Celtx
ALISON
You were there saying "Oh no I can't
dance" and then you start shaking like
Elvis
JOHN
I hate being forced into dancing, I
can't stand it, I'll stick to my
singing thanks honey.
The two reach John's house and turn to each other.
ALISON
Until next time whiteboy!
JOHN
Will you be at my show tomorrow?
ALISON
Maybe you will, I got my own things to
do Shy Johnny. I'll try but no
promises.
John smiles and Alison starts to walk away, before she does
he calls her over. He smiles at her again and pulls her in
for a kiss.
JOHN
Thank you Alison, Thank you for taking
me out tonight.
ALISON
You got it, but don't get used to it.
These places are expensive.
John walks into his house and watches as Alison walks away.
MIKE
Where have you been then?
JOHN
Out, went for some food and a dance.
MIKE
Yeah right, you can't dance, anyway,
Mom and Little Sammy are asleep so be
quiet when you go in
Mike walks in and John follows shortly after him.
FADE INTO

17. 17.
Created using Celtx
INT.SCHOOL HALL.MORNING
It's the day of the concert and John is sat at the piano on
the stage with a black drummer and guitarist behind him they
are all wearing black suits. John scans the hall filled with
people all he can hear is the bustling conversation. Mr Ross
walks onto the stage.
MR ROSS
Everyone all good? Nick, Your guitar
ready to go? Smith, your sticks not
gonna break half way through again?
SMITH
Only when I hit them over your head
MR ROSS
Good, you still got your humour, let's
see if you drum as good as you talk.
John you good to go?
JOHN
Ready as I'll ever be... I guess.
MR ROSS
Alright everybody thank you all so
much for coming, I'm Mr Ross and this
here is...
NICK
Nick Ortega
SMITH
Smith Parker
JOHN
Shy Johnny, baby
The audience laughs and Nick and Smith look at each other
confused but brush it off. John looks around the room looking
for Alison but doesn't see her.
MR ROSS
When you're ready boys.
John hesitates to play, his fingers hover and shake above the
piano keys his mouth hangs open.
NICK
What are you doing Johnny? Play the
damn song.

18. 18.
Created using Celtx
SMITH
I swear to god if you mess this up for
us now.
John scans the hall once more and sees the door close,
emerging from the crowd he sees Alison. He smiles and
instantly jumps into playing "Great balls of fire" he plays
it the best he can with all his heart he sings every lyric
perfectly this is his greatest performance yet. Everyone in
the hall is cheering for Johnny while he has the biggest
smile on his face. He finished the song and gets up from the
piano while everyone cheers and claps.
FADE INTO
INT.MUSIC ROOM.MORNING
John, Nick and Smith are packing everything away as the door
creaks open to reveal Alice. John turns to Nick and Smith,
nods at them and they walk out.
ALISON
You did pretty good out there Shy
Johnny.
JOHN
Thank you Alison, I was a bit nervous
to start but then something clicked.
ALISON
Wonder what that could be?
The door swings open again and it's Mr Ross with the biggest
smile on his face.
MR ROSS
Johnny! Johnny! You won't believe it,
I just spoke with somebody from Dizzy
Records and he said you killed that
song! He wants to sign you on and make
something new with you!
JOHN
What? Are you serious? Where is he?
MR ROSS
He's just outside, go now, you can
probably catch him
JOHN
Alison, I'll call you okay?

19. 19.
Created using Celtx
John runs out the room before Alison can say anything back,
he chases the man from Dizzy Records down to the front office
he taps the man on the shoulder.
JOHN
Hey I heard you wanted to sign me on
to your records
DIZZY RECORDS MANAGER
Son, I was there when Jerry Lee Lewis
recorded that song, and I haven't
heard anyone play it quite like that.
John smiles at the man while shaking his hand.
DIZZY RECORDS MANAGER(CONT'D)
Write your phone number on the back of
my card here and I'll call you to get
you in, until then, I want you to
write something and we can get
straight to recording.
JOHN
Thank you so much Mister, I'll get on
it right away.
CUT TO JOHNS FACE AND FADE TO BLACK
INT.RECORDING STUDIO.NIGHT
John is stood in the studio holding a notepad and wearing
some studio headphones, he is reading the notepad and slow
dancing around in the studio. The Dizzy Records manager
storms into the studio.
DIZZY RECORDS MANAGER
Then tell that motherfucker he's off
our label!
The Dizzy Records manager slams his hands down on the sound
desk, John jumps and they slowly look up at each other.
DIZZY RECORDS MANAGER
You ready for your first hit kid?
John nods at the manager and the studio dims. Everyone else
in the studio starts to quieten their conversations they all
look at each other. The sound designer hits play on the
track, the tape winds up and John takes a deep breath and...
CUT TO BLACK

20. 20.
Created using Celtx

21. 21.
Created using Celtx