Prospero's Books

Cue Sheet

Pam Harrison (Music and Moving Image 1, Jan. 2000)

00:00.00 A drop of water, magnified and in slow motion falls into a black pool. Titles show immediately against a black background.

00:00.05 A second drop falls as before followed immediately by titles

00:0010 A third drop falls as before. Parchment is being written upon with a quill pen in calligraphic script.

00:00.15 A fourth drop falls as before. The writing continues as the words being written are spoken.

00:00.20 A fifth drop falls as before - writing and spoken words continue.

00:00.25 A sixth drop falls as before followed by visual of `The book of Water' and written intertitle. Spoken words describing the book as the pages are turned continue as the drops fall at 5 second intervals until

00:00.40 when drops begin to fall every 2.5 seconds.

00:01.10 Small image in a rectangular frame of a man standing in a large pool begins on the left centre of the screen and stretches across the screen widening and filling the screen within the rectangular frame. The man (Prospero / Shakespeare) is standing in the large pool of a classically appointed bath house turning the pages of the `Book of Water'.

00:01.28 Droplet sounds fade as bath-house image is created in rectangular frame. Droplets seen superimposed on framed image. Pen writes `Boatswain' as book continues to be described. Man speaks the word several times in framed close up superimposed over word on page

0:01.46 Droplet sounds louder as storm begins

0:02.34 Cut to MS of Prospero in cell writing reflected in the `Book of Mirrors'

0:02.40 Cut back to bath house and storm sounds

0:03.10 2 second MS of Prospero in cell looking at model galleon

0:03.12 Cut back to bath house

0:04.27 Tolling ship's bell punctuates storm sounds as Prospero puts galleon into water.

Storm at sea described as SFX of storm/rain match image of man telling story of shipwreck using model ship in bath to represent shipwreck at sea. Rain superimposed over image.

0:04.53 Cut to Prospero in his cell fully dressed looking at `Book of Mirrors'. # Magic sounds

0:05.07 Thunder crash

0:05.08* *Music begins -`Prospero's Magic'- featuring repeated semi-quaver patterns in 4/4 in the strings as Prospero is joined in the bath by servants carrying his clothes. Ariel swings above the pool urinating into the water and onto the sinking model ship.

0:05.37* Flames like those created by a fire-eater punctuate the scene exactly on the first beat of each bar followed immediately by a title

0:05.39* Prospero leaves the water accompanied by the clothes-bearers who assist his dressing as music and flames continue

0:06.11* 4 dancers emerge from the water to become Prospero's escort forming a square pattern and moving in unison with flamboyant jerky movements

0:06.25* Close up of the magic cloak fills the screen accompanied by #Magic sounds

0:06.48* Long shot from nearside of the bath pool of the cloak hanging like a curtain. Figures of all shapes and sizes pour out from under the cloak and walk into the pool towards the camera

0:07.00* Prospero begins begins a slow and stately parade along the long columned corridor peopled by creatures created by his imagination and escorted by four dancers. Clarinet tune begins.The creatures he walks among bear many references to mythological characters and stories. Travelling shot follows his walk always from left to right

0:07.08* Flames stop to be replaced by anvil hammering becoming less rigidly timed as Prospero travels on

0:07.36* Music fades overtaken by storm SFX, hammering, #Sounds of the island and #Magic sounds as Prospero walks on through more scenes with mythological references. Titles continue.

0:09.54* Music returns fading in slowly over 10 seconds as scene cuts to model galleon sinking in bath pool

0:10.09* Music continues as ship sinks. Laughter at the point of sinking ship

0:10.26* Music begins to crescendo as visuals cut to detail of Prospero's cloak (symbol of his magic powers) as it changes colour from blue to brown

0:10.35* Music stops

0:12.00 `Architecture and other music' book opens in 3D. Prospero walks out of book.

0:12.17 # Magic sounds > voices wailing over

0:12.34* Plainsong heard very quietly superimposed with crying as Prospero enters Miranda's bedroom. She lies crying disturbed by dreams of drowning.

0:12.57* Music stops. Wind continues to howl. # Drowning sounds. As Prospero calms Miranda, storm continues to rage.

0:15.59 Prospero has calmed all the sounds of the storm by removing his magic cloak (now black) and laying it on Miranda as she sleeps. Silence.

0:16.22# Drowning sounds as scene of drowning is superimposed in window over candles in a long gallery

0:16.58# Sounds of the island over images of leaves etc. dripping after storm. Cut to Miranda calm in bed.

0:18.07* Music enters -`Twelve Years Since' - slow `sad' strings in minor key as Prospero tells Miranda the story of her past which is re-enacted reflected in a mirror

0:18.44* 11 second shot of `Book of the dead' shown in centre window

0:19.14* Scene changes to Miranda's bedroom. Music out

0:19.39 Background scene of Milan in the past - `Book of colours' in centre window.

# Bell tolls

0:19.52 Background as before - `Book of geometry' in window. Bell out

0:20.11 " - `Book of Orpheus'. # Bell tolls

0:20.54* Music enters -`Twelve years since'- very quietly under scene of re-enactment of `Anatomy of Birth'

0:21.22* Music out

0:22.04* Scene of banquet (Milan in the past). Source music - hurdy gurdy - played in centre of scene. < as camera pans across tables

0:22.13* Music out as scene changes to Miranda's bedroom

0:22.33* Scene and music as 0:22.04 addition of voices

0:23.00* Scene change to Miranda's bedroom. Music out.

0:24.02* Scene change to re-enactment of invasion of Milan. Scenes of death described verbally. Music enters -`History of Sycorax'- featuring stabbing brass chords.

0:24.57* Bell toll begins. Music fades

0:25.10* Music out # Drowning music. # Bell toll punctuates description of banishment at sea

0:27.20 `Book of Universal Cosmology' # Star sounds as Miranda in small window over boat background.

0:27.56 # Star sounds out. Prospero's followers take cloak from Miranda

0:30.03 # Magic sounds as Prospero places model of galleon on plinth as he walks down long gallery

0:30.20* Crash followed immediately by solo high soprano voice singing `Come unto these yellow sands' with quiet string accompaniment as one of Ariel characters is seen singing in the bath house as the other three swing on trapezes over the bath pool. Prospero speaks some of the sung words. Shipwreck survivors seen to be helped from the pool as if rescued from the sea.

0:31.25* Cut to rescued survivors in forest on the island. Music fades

0:31.47* Cut to Prospero in his call writing and speaking the words describing what has happened

0:32.34* Music out

0:33.22 # Magic sounds. Sustained string chord

0:34.07* Music enters- `History of Sycorax' -very quietly as Sycorax on a litter is carried by sailors on arrival on island

0:34.26* Music out

0:34.48 # Screaming as Ariel is seen imprisoned in tree

0:35.22 # SFX out

0:36.11* Music enters- `Miranda'- as Miranda walks slowly through long gallery followed by white horses. LS tracking forward towards Miranda then R to L tracking shot following her. Words being spoken by Prospero superimposed on shot then cross fade into`Book of Architecture' then cross fade back to Miranda meeting Prospero. Very quiet as Prospero speaks.

0:37.20* Music fades

0:37.40* Music changes to stabbing brass chords -`History of Sycorax'- as Caliban is mentioned. Book being desecrated in large window centre screen.

0:38.17* Music fades as description of `Book of Earth' is spoken . Cut to Caliban's pit.

0:38.31* Music out

0:41.17* Music enters, solo voice (Ariel) singing `Full fathom five' over scene of sailors drowning. Words spoken over song.

0:41.32* Ariel seen in centre window divided into three separate `mirror - type' images

0:41.40* `Book of end plants' seen in small window over scene of drowning

0:41.52* Scene change to Prospero and Miranda sitting looking out onto cornfield. Visual of drowning in small window # Drowning sounds

0:42.19 Long shot of cornfield - idyllic and serene with floating seeds filling the air

0:42.30 Ariel CU

0:42.40 Cornfield camera shots change from front to back of Prospero and Miranda sitting together

0:42.53* Music enters -`Cornfield'- as Ferdinand is seen in cornfield. Miranda `speaks' over music. Shots cut from Prospero and Miranda to Ferdinand. Prospero and Miranda walk towards Ferdinand (seeds float in the air). Solo clarinet # Sounds of the Island. Ferdinand `speaks' over the music

0:45.12 `Book of Love' described in centre window. Ferdinand kisses Miranda's hand.

0:45.39 Cut to Prospero in cell plotting `labours' for Ferdinand

0:45.46 Cut to cornfield. LS of Ferdinand, Prospero and Miranda

0:45.50* Music fades as Prospero accuses Ferdinand of being a spy

0:46.36 Prospero disarms Ferdinand through Ariel # Magic sounds

0:47.00* Music < with words being spoken displayed superimposed over scene: cross fade to words: cross fade to words over drowning : cross fade to Ariel. Cut to close up shots in turn of characters. LS of whole scene. On verbal cue "Follow me" all turn and walk away from camera, visual fades out.

0:48.01* Music out

0:48.25 # Magic sounds # Sounds of the Island as survivors are seen in the forest

0:48.46 `Book of Animals' in window every 4 seconds over survivors in forest speaking of being saved

0:49.48 Cut to Prospero in cell; Claribel in Africa seen in mirror #* African Drumming

0:50.16 Cut to Ferdinand in sea. # Drowning Sounds as rescued by 2 creatures of the sea

0:50.57 Cut to survivors in forest, disorientated and confused. # Sounds of the Island

0:51.21 Cut to `Book of Utopias' SFX out

0:52.15 Cut to survivors in forest # Sounds of the Island

0:52.38* Music enters - Long introduction to `While you here do snoring lie' - as Ariel removes their hats and charms them to sleep

0:53.41* Ariel begins to sing with string accompaniment - survivors asleep except 2 plotters

0: 54.06* Music continues quietly as Claribel seen in small window when mentioned by name during plotting against King of Naples. # African drumming

0:54.48* Ariel sings holding candles (song words spoken as well) Cut to plotters - song continues

0:55.29* Cut to Ariel with candles singing

0:55.43* Scene of plotters in forest. Cut to Ariel in window singing every 8 seconds

0:56.26 # Lion roar as plotters draw swords. Music begins to fade

0:56.32* Music out

0:56.37 # Animal sounds as cut to `Book of Animals'

0:56.50* Music `While you here do snoring lie' fades in - vocal with instrumental accompaniment as before. Forest scene with `Book of animals' in window

0:57.09* Music continues as survivors walk away from scene to search for Ferdinand

0:57.17* Music out. Cut to Prospero in cell

1:01.18 # Magic sounds and storm as Caliban tempts Trinculo and Stefano to follow him and get rid of Prospero

1:01.33 # Magic sounds out

1:03.43* Cut to Ferdinand and Miranda in the stable yard. Ferdinand is carrying out the mindless task set for him by Prospero. Music enters -`Miranda' - as Ferdinand and Miranda declare love for each other. White horses crowd the scene.

1:04.29* Cut to Prospero's cell. Music fades.

1:04.46* Music out

1:05.23 # Magic sounds # Storm and wind.Trinculo, Stefano,and Caliban walk through the ruins. Ariel ensnares them using magic ribbons

1:06.11 Cut to Prospero sleeping in cell when mentioned by Caliban in centre window

1:06.18 Window out

1:06.25* Cut to 2 second shot of Prospero dead in cell when mentioned by Caliban.

Music enters - `Come unto these yellow sands' - instrumental only from middle of piece

1:06.36* 4 second shot in centre window of Prospero's people grouped on a stage

1:06.52* Music out

1:07.15 # Magic sounds as scene of Trinculo, Stefano and Caliban walking through ruins continues

1:07.36 #Magic sounds out

1:07.37 # Animal sounds - scene progresses as before

1:07.58 #* 4 seconds of string chords as `Twanging instruments' spoken

1:08.30 # Magic sounds on words `Prospero in destroyed' - cut to Prospero lying in cell as pages blow around in disarray

1:08.38 # Bell tolls

1:08.47 Cut to Prospero sitting high in obelisk in Egyptian style. Survivors of drowning enter

1:09.17 # Drowning sounds as King of Naples talks about Ferdinand drowning

1:09.25* On words `Well let him go' music enters - `Cornfield' - as people carry food in to table

1:10.33* # Magic sounds <

1:10.36* Music out as Prospero sends thunderbolt to destroy food on table

1:12.18* Cut to door opening Music enters - `Ironic funereal' - as devils carry in the body of Ferdinand. King speaks to `dead' Ferdinand

1:13.39* Cut to book and Prospero in cell

1:13.48* Ariel drops in onto writing desk. Cuts short Prospero's musings. Music out

1:14.18 # Magic sounds on words `In my power' as quill pen pierces table and ink wells up like blood

1:17.19 # Bells pealing <

1.17.32* Music enters - `Heavenly choir' : John Dowland song as Ferdinand and Miranda sit on stairs kissing hands. V/O Prospero talking to Ariel

1:18.10* Music enters - `Come and go' - Ariel sings with string accompaniment

1:18.10* Cut to `Book of Motion' V/O

1:18.25* Fast falling string patterns. Cut to Prospero in long gallery looking through book as dancers move to music

1:18.31* Cut to `Book of Motion' in window over long gallery scene

1:18.37* Cut to Prospero in gallery

1:18.40* Cut to `Book of Motion' in window as before

1:18.53* Fade to Prospero in gallery

1:18.55* Cut to Ariel singing

1:18.57* Cut to Prospero in gallery

1:19.01* Music out. Silence as Prospero speaks `Ariel do not approach till thou dost hear me call'

1:19.06* MASQUE begins with voice of Iris (opera) singing after short string introduction. People approach in procession. Prospero: `Come, Ariel, come' is cue for people to walk in procession from L to R carrying large Roman legion style banners

1:19.58* Cross fade to `Book of Mythologies'

1:20.08* Image of Iris superimposed onto open book. Music > as voice over describes the book

1:21.01* Cut to Prospero, Ferdinand and Miranda. Voice out - strings only as Prospero gives couple wedding advice. Prospero exit.

1:21.18* Curtains behind Ferdinand and Miranda open in draped theatre style as second solo singer (Ceres - singing in cabaret style - `Hail, many coloured messenger..') is framed by couple either side of curtain. Ferdinand and Miranda image fades as people from procession cross in front of and behind Ceres as she sings standing still facing camera

1:23.10* Cut to procession and Iris sings again (source music)Tempo increases

1:23.31* Cut to Ariel shooting with bow and arrow modelled on Eros. Ceres sings - tempo slows.

1:23.40* Cut to procession. Ceres continues to sing as the procession moves on (source music) Left to right tracking shot keeping pace with singers as they walk

1:23.57* Iris sings while walkng alongside Ceres. Tempo increases.

1:24.33* Ariel image in centre window for 6 seconds over procession scene

1:24.46* Cut to closed curtains with 2 Ariel figures - one on either side of curtains. Curtains opened by Ariels to reveal `guard of honour' holding Roman banners.Ceres sings introduction to Juno who joins procession.

1:25.30* Juno (singing in musical theatre style) joins other 2 singers. Chordal accompaniment in brass instruments as well as shimmering strings

1:26.27* Ferdinand and Miranda in centre window over procession

1:26.40* Juno continues to sing. Ferdinand and Miranda sit to receiver gifts.Close up of gifts being presented to the couple in centre window over scene in Medium Shot

1:26.49* Ceres sings `earth's increase' - slower tempo.

1:27.30* Medium Close up of 2 singers cut to Miranda and Ferdinand sitting receiving gifts presented by people in procession

1:27.53* All 3 singers together in centre window. Camera angle changes 180degrees so that front and back of scene is alternated. As backs of singers shown, processors/ gift bearers/dancers begin to walk away. Singers repeat`Be not too late'

1:28.33* All music and movement stops as Prospero enters and speaks. All freeze except Ferdinand and Miranda. # Bell begins to toll. On cue Prospero:`Our revels now are ended' all in scene fall to floor as if dead. Prospero, followed by Ferdinand and Miranda, walks forward between row of mirrors lifted and supported by Prospero's people

1:29.36 Curtain closes behind Prospero cutting off Ferdinand and Miranda and leaving Prospero alone facing camera in close up

1:29.50 Prospero speaks directly to camera. `We are such stuff as dreams are made on And our little life is rounded by a sleep' Picture fades.

1:29.56 Cut to Prospero's cell with Ariel characters

1:30.13 Ariel opens bookcase to reveal magic cloak. # Magic sounds.

1:30.34 Cut to Caliban, Trinculo and Stefano approaching Prospero's cell via drain. # Sounds of the Island

1:31.11 # Magic Sounds as Trinculo and Stefano are distracted by fine clothes outside cell

1:31.45* Door opens. Music enters - `History of Sycorax' - stabbing brass chords as dogs and people chase 3 characters into pool. Dogs seen in centre window as # barking heard. # Magic Sounds over music

1:32.33* Cut to Prospero in his cell. # Magic sounds `wind down' and music fades.

1:32.37* Music out

1:33.14 Cut to King and survivors in courtyard as Ariel speaks over. (First time using own voice)

1:33.22 Cut to 3 Ariel characters writing at desk -`Your charm so strongly works them'

1:33.27 Flashback to Ferdinand on steps in centre window

1:33.33 Cut to 3 Ariel characters as before - `That if you now beheld them'

1:33.42 Flashback to Caliban, Trinculo and Stefano hounded into pool in centre window

1:33.51 Cut to 3 Ariel characters as before - `Your affections would become tender'

1:33.59 Flashback to King with body of Ferdinand in centre window

1:34.07 Cut to 3 Ariel characters with Prospero who reads aloud their writing adding - `And mine shall too'.

1:35.34* Prospero snaps shut his book. Music enters - `Prospero's Curse' - Fast brass chords and running strings. Many of Prospero's people copy his actions repeating the book shutting in different positions and with different books. # Magic sounds

1:36.15* Music fades as sound of shutting books takes over

1:36.24* Music out

1:36.27 # Magic sounds before Prospero invokes his magic. `Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes and groves And ye that on the sand with printless foot Do chase the ebbing Neptune......

1:36.56 # Bell tolls as Prospero with his entourage walks down the long gallery # Thunder. `....But this rough magic I here abjure. And when I have required some

1:37.39* Heavenly music' - sacred ancient singing - `which even now I do - To work mine end upon their senses that This airy charm is for,'

1:38.04* Music out `.......I'll break my staff / Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, / And ,deeper than did ever plummet sound, / I'll drown my books'

1:38.05 # Magic sounds getting louder and higher as the magic circle is drawn

1:38.27 Cut to circle drawn on floor. # Magic sounds continue # Bell tolls and # Church bells peal.

1:38.46 # Pealing bells fade out

1:38.48 # Magic sounds as survivors are drawn into the circle. Dancers mark the edges with their movements

1:39.18 # Thunder. Blinds taken from the survivors. They freeze on the words `You are spell-stopped' (Prospero) Prospero continues to speak to unreactive survivors expressing anger and then forgiveness.

1:41.44* Music enters - `Where the bee sucks' - sung by Ariel solo at first then with string accompaniment . Words whispered as Ariel sings

1:42.03* Cut to Ariel singing

1:42.13* Cut to Prospero removing trappings of his magic - cloak.

1:42.46* Music out

1:43.01* Ariel sings as before - `Blossom

1:43.11* Cut to Prospero. Music out.

1:43.48 # Magic sounds as Prospero shows himself to the rescued King and courtiers

1:46.58* Tableaux of Spring Summer Autumn and Winter come to life in sequence and walk out of shot as Music enters - `While you here do snoring lie' - instrumental version Cut to Miranda and Ferdinand playing chess

1:47.28* Music out. # Bells pealing. `Book of Games' in centre window. Fade to Miranda and Ferdinand as King sees his son alive.

1:48.16 # Bells peal louder

1:48.20* Music enters - `While you here do snoring lie' Introduction - as Miranda and Ferdinand meet other survivors.

1:49.01* Ariel begins to sing `While you here do snoring lie' with string accompaniment

1:49.50* Music fades out

1:50.10 Gonzalo speaks of possible reasons for events `.........In one voyage / Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis' / # African drumming when name of Claribel is mentioned / `And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife / Where he himself was lost'

1:50.19 `.......Prospero his dukedom In a poor isle' (# Sounds of the Island) / `......and all of us ourselves / When no man was his own' (Words being spoken scroll up the page in centre window)

1:50.34 # Bells as King blesses the union of Ferdinand and Miranda

1:52.18 # Magic Sounds as Caliban is sent to Prospero's cell for punishment and Trinculo and Stefano are carried off to ship by Ariels

1:52.48* Music enters - Ceres sings Introduction to Juno, then Juno sings song from Masque `How does my bounteous sister' as reunited characters parade out as marriage blessed by all

1:54.09* Music out

1:54.11* Cut to book `drowning' as promised by Prospero. Music enters.

Fast sawing strings sustain chords under simple repeated sequence on synthsised sound (cross between high female vocal sound and musical saw). Stabbing brass chords punctuate at more frequent intervals as the music progresses.

1:57.41* Music out. Prospero speaks directly to camera asking for audience's indulgence to `set me free'

1:59.06* Ariel bursts up singing `Come unto these yellow sands' as begins to run through long gallery flanked by applauding characters. Flames and water droplets as beginning of film seen superimposed on image.

1:59.41* Singing continues accompanied by strings. Ariel runs and then takes off in a high

flying leap towards camera and up out of shot in slow motion.

2:00.09* Music out. # Crash of waves, thunder, water drops fade with end titles.