Chords of Courage
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 28, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDIO - 18:30
A chord sheet by his side, PETER strums a Gibson acoustic guitar.
PETER (V.O): No, it doesn't sound good. I should just do finger picking.
We hear guitar finger-picking sounds.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Let me add the drumbeats.
As Peter steps on a pedal of a KORG rhythm device, we hear drumbeats.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I've already written the bilingual lyrics. Every word has been carefully chosen.
Peter opens a folder in his mobile.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I can't remember all the lyrics.
Reading the lyrics and the chord sheet, Peter plays the guitar and sings his new song.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 09:30
Taking their seats, PATRICK chats with Peter.
PATRICK: Have you composed any songs lately?
PETER (V.O.): This is a very good question. If I haven't finished my daily routines, I won't have the composing mood.
PETER: I'm composing one. I've to perform it tomorrow afternoon, but I haven't finished it yet.
PETER (V.O.): Patrick is a performing vocalist.
PETER (Cont'd): The song is to congratulate the Hong Kong Institute of Legal Translation, but I find it hard to sing the name...
The COUNCIL begins its business.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 16:45
Lying flat on a floating platform, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O): In end Dec, 2022, I wrote a song with HKUST in mind in just two days.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I liked the "trilingual" song a lot as the music is melodic, and the lyrics are meaningful.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The lyrics are primarily Cantonese, the English lyrics are simply "HKUST", and the Putonghua lyrics are just "Ah-Ah-Ah, Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah".
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I performed the song live at a HKUST X'mas staff party last year and the song was very well received.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Weeks ago when Emily asked me to write a song for her Institute, I gladly accepted it.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But to compose and sing the name of the Institute in both Cantonese and English pose a great challenge to me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'd better go home now to play, sing and record the song and hear what it sounds like.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Oh, as I can't remember the lyrics...Should I record the music first...Perhaps, the audience can sing along...
Having recorded the music with an iPad Mini, Peter listens to it.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Just the rhythms without the lyrics-melodies go nowhere. I need to record the music with the lyrics.
Attempting to record the song, Peter stops and retakes many times.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The beats aren't right when I sing the names of the Institute...It's like mixing water with oil...
Peter takes a look of his left hand's fingertips.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Guitar calluses are being formed, and I feel the pain.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Nevertheless, let me try again.
Doorbell ringing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's the maid's call for dinner. And I haven't seen my wife since I left home early this morning.
Putting aside his guitar reluctantly, Peter exits.
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - 22:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Chords of Courage ..." to a draft.
PETER (V.O): I'm drawing my inner strength to resolve the challenge to write and perform a serious bilingual song.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My sense of responsibility and artistic integrity drives me to deliver a meaningful performance.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm confident that the audience will have a creative, if not musical, experience tomorrow afternoon.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments