Piano Wars
In the Pilot Episode we include all of the elements of the Full Episodic Version.
THE SET UP – Narration, Introduction of Host…
Debut: 10 Finalist vie for $100,000 and a year long contract at the top Dueling Piano Club in the nation.
INTRO EST. Shots: Action – Limos racing, planes landing, night life, neons, etc.
Cities – Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas
Clubs / Venues – New York New York, Croc Rock (Myrtle Beach) Sing / Sing (Denver) Howl (Orlando)
Quick shots of Various Duelers in different clubs, Crowds Gone Wild!
BACKGROUND MUSIC – “Let’s Do a Shot!”
Narration explains Dueling Pianos: We’re on the hunt for the next great Dueling Piano Player in the nation. Two piano players face each other on
grand pianos - sing-a-long, audience participation, Showtimes (where the staff joins in), 4-ways (full band
numbers), Requests, Bits, Roasts, etc…
THE AUDITIONS –
Coming into establishing shot of Rehearsal Venue…
Months of auditions have already taken place, but the auditions aren’t over. They’re picking the final 10.
CUT TO: Various shots of Contestants: walking down halls, talking, etc., EXTERIORS and ESTABLISHING SHOTS. Interviews; Why they think they could be the next great Dueling Piano Player, etc.
THEN TO: The Auditions – We “manufacture” some but also hold a city-wide “Cattle Call”. Some are amazing, others hysterically funny. We run the gambit here but take the best; The 21 year old prodigy who thinks he’s “all that”, the long-haired “Wanna Be” who can’t even play Chopsticks, the 72 year old Grandparent who can play Stride Piano like a mother…
Top Dueling Piano Players serving as judges pick 10 Contestants who will move on to the Training Sessions.
THE TRAINING SESSIONS –
We meet the Trainers; Interviews, backgrounds and establishing shots, etc.
Tough, hard boiled, edgy characters, perhaps one as flamboyant as Liberace himself. They teach the concept, reveal the history, and rehearse: ShowTimes, College Fight Songs and “Call-Downs” (silly, suggestive, impromptu lyrics being sung to recognizable melodies.) They outline the Program:
INTERCUT - w/ interviews, visuals & voiceovers, etc.
CUT TO: Around the piano, breaking off into groups.
CUT TO: REHEARSAL ROOM – Going over material.
INERCUT
– w/ more shots, interviews, etc.
BACK TO: REHEARSALS – More training. Things get intense. The pressure is on.
CUT TO: People rehearsing on their own.
Then…
CONFLICT ARISES in the group; competition ensues - more tension develops.
BACK TO: MORE MUSIC REHEARSALS – Independent groups, dynamics developing.
BACK AND FORTH – Interviews, rehearsals, around piano,
MORE CONFLICTS ARISE – Someone gets sick. Jealousies erupt. Tension Mounts
THEN MORE TRAINING SESSIONS, REHEARSALS and INTERVIEWS…
THINGS GET MORE INTENSE AS THE REALITY UNFOLDS….
Several Contestants are picked from the training session to move to the final round!
FINALLY...
CUT TO: Live Club / Pros on-stage going at
it. The whole scene. People, Waiters, Waitresses, Bartenders.
The JOINT IS ON FIRE!
INTRODUCTION OF
JUDGES -
A panel of three or four, perhaps some famous names, etc.
SINGING EXPERT
PIANO EXPERT
COMEDIAN
ENTERTAINER
CUT TO: Interviews – Judges; Stories, flashbacks, ARCHIVE VIDEO, etc.
Introduction of audience dramas:
Cameras in the crowd catch the reactions: The fun, craziness, loudness, drunkenness.
There are Army
guys, Birthdays, Fights, Foolishness, Bachelorettes
Then…
CONTESTANTS in the CLUB witnessing DUELING PIANO for the first time.
ESTABLISHING SHOTS of the Club: SMASH CUTS, RAPID FIRE EDITING, The Place is on FIRE – Is it HOT IN HERE OR WHAT?
We see DUELING PIANOs Live, on-stage, AT ITS BEST!
CUT TO: Backstage at the club; dynamics develop,
More Interviews and commentary,
Contestants
reactions to the pros.
MORE CONFLICTS arise: Stomach Flus, Throwing up, Jitters, Nervousness, Anxiety
Finally, after every Contestant has performed…
WE PICK A WINNER
CUT TO: Contestants: Losers, Winner Reactions (happy, sad, crying, and cussing)SIGN OFF: …as MUSIC SWELLS TO FINALE!