Dance Academy

1 INT. ACADEMY/REHEARSAL STUDIO - DAY 1 1

TARA, ETHAN

INTERCUT WITH:

2 EXT. CITY STREETS/THE ROCKS - DAY 1 2

CHRISTIAN, N/S PEDESTRIANS

STUDIO:
Morning. Sweat drips off Tara as she focuses on herrehab. She’s lying on her stomach and Ethan has a therabandacross her ankle. Together they work on strengthening herhamgstring muscle.

TARA (V.O.)

So apparently there’s this basichuman reaction to fear. It’s called

the fight or flight response.

CUT TO:

STREETS:
Morning. Christian’s run has a new intensity. The

lines of a iron fence railing blur behind him as he racesthrough The Rocks. His face is grim - determined. His feetpound the pavement.

TARA (V.O.)

When something freaks us out, ourfirst response is to run, veryfast, in the opposite direction.

CUT TO:

STUDIO:
Tara looks exhausted as she lays on her side withher front leg bent in front of her, lifting her underneathleg in a series of adductor exercises.

TARA:

Don’t you have a Company costume

fitting to go to?

ETHAN:

It can wait. Focus on your VMO.

CUT TO:

STREETS:
In a scene reminiscent of episode 3 Christian jumpsacross from one city wall to another. As if he’s beingchased/escaping. His run has taken on a frantic - almost

surreal element.

TARA (V.O.)

The second response is actuallymuch harder.

CUT TO:

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STUDIO:
Tara is now doing a series of scissor-style stomachcrunches, her neck and back off the floor. It looks

strenuous, painful.

TARA (V.O.)

It’s where you ignore everyinstinct.

ETHAN:

I’m not hearing you breathing.

TARA:

(as she comes up)

Argh!

TARA (V.O.)

And instead of running, you stay...

CUT TO:

STREETS:
Christian has reached a high point. He looks outover the Sydney skyline and then closes his eyes, facestretched up to the heavens.

TARA (V.O.)

... and fight.

Christian jumps down onto the ground.

CUT TO:

STUDIO:
Tara finishes her last scissor crunch and then

collapses back onto the floor. Ethan leans back on his heels

and smiles at her.

TARA:

You’re enjoying this.

All Tara can manage is an exhausted smile. But she lookshappy with herself.

3 EXT. ACADEMY/WHARFSIDE - DAY 1 3

CHRISTIAN, LEGAL AID LAWYER, AARON (O.S.), N/S DANCERS

Christian approaches his LEGAL AID LAWYER, a fresh faced,

male, recent graduate - over worked and underpaid. Christian

is still in his sweaty, running clothes. The lawyer’sobviously been waiting for him and doesn’t look pleased atthe fact that he’s late.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

You’re late.

CHRISTIAN:

Who are you? Where’s the other

lawyer?

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LEGAL AID LAWYER

Reassigned. It’s okay, I’ve readyour file.

They start to walk briskly along the wharf. He hands him aletter.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

Your hearing’s been set for nextweek in the District Court.

Christian tries to cover the look of fear in his eyes.

CHRISTIAN:

Right.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

Do you have a personal referencefrom the school?

CHRISTIAN:

Not yet.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

It’s important Christian.

CHRISTIAN:

What do you give me? 60/40? 50/50?

That I’m going to juvie.

The lawyer looks alarmed - he has a busy case load and notime for looking after this kid.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

Look, so long as the co-accused.

Your friend...

He flips through his files for his name. Christian is annoyedby his lack of knowledge about his case.

CHRISTIAN:

Aaron.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

So long as Aaron supports yourstory about what happened thatnight, you have a good chance of asuspended sentence. That means nojuvie time.

CHRISTIAN:

And if he doesn’t show? Odds godown right?

Off the lawyer’s questioning look.

CHRISTIAN:

Just asking.

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LEGAL AID LAWYER

Just asking? Yeah we need Aaron to

say he was the one who planned the

robbery, he was the one who brought

the knife.

The lawyer studies Christian.

LEGAL AID LAWYER

Is he planning on skipping his

court date?

CHRISTIAN:

No. He’s solid.

He looks at his files - a busy day ahead.

LEGAL AID OFFICER

Good. Get that reference and we’ll

go from there.

He heads off to the street onto his next case. Christian is

left on the wharf, things are looking bad for him.

He pulls out his phone and hits a number. We hear him beingsent straight through to a message.

AARON (O.S.)

(on phone)

Yeah, it’s Aaron. You know what to

do.

CHRISTIAN:

(on phone)

It’s me... Again. Look, call me

okay.

He hangs up, takes one look back at the Academy and heads offin the opposite direction.

4 INT. ACADEMY/STUDIO - DAY 1 4

KAT, ABIGAIL, TARA, SAMMY, PATRICK, N/S BOARD MEMBER, N/SFIRST YEAR BOYS AND GIRLS

Character class:
Patrick leads the first years in an old-

fashioned character class, demonstrating where necessary. Thegirls are wearing character skirts. Kat and Sammy are dancingtogether.

PATRICK:

That’s good Sammy. Chin up Kat.

You’re at Court, be regal.

Kat talks while she dances, keeping one eye on the BOARDMEMBER who is observing from the front of the studio, taking

notes.

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KAT:

Sir I was thinking what we need aresome white, crusty wigs. Very 18thCentury. Very fetching.

Patrick smiles at her through gritted teeth, aware of theBoard Member behind him.

PATRICK:

I’ll take that under advisement.

As the dance moves into a more allegro section, we cross toTara who is sitting on the sidelines, working her feet with atheraband. She pays particular attention to their legs andfeet as the series of jumps puts obvious stress on theirhealthy knees.

Patrick moves over to Tara to speak privately.

PATRICK:

It feels like you got that cast offa while ago. Has Doctor Wicks saidanything about coming back toclass?

Tara shakes her head, nervous.

TARA:

We want to be certain it’s healed

properly.

Patrick nods and moves away. Tara slumps, relieved he didn’task too many questions.

Kat and Sammy arrive near Tara, waiting their next turn. Katshoots an evil eye at the Board Member.

KAT:

I can’t believe they got rid of HipHop for this.

SAMMY:

(teasing Kat)

This and mime class. Extra ballet

history. Notation.

Abigail joins them.

ABIGAIL:

I like the Board’s new program.

KAT:

Naturally.

Just then Christian arrives, very late and still wearing hishoodie. Patrick clocks him - isn’t pleased.

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PATRICK:

Mr Reed? Where’s your note?

CHRISTIAN:

Note?

PATRICK:

New rules. All unexplained absencesmust be explained to the Principal.

Christian just shrugs, turns and leaves the room. Tarawatches him go, still hurting over their break-up.

5 INT. ACADEMY/MR KENNEDY’S OFFICE - DAY 1 5

MR KENNEDY, CHRISTIAN

Christian slumps in a chair across from a worried Mr Kennedy.

MR KENNEDY:

What’s going on Christian? I’m toldthis isn’t the first class you’vebeen late for, or missed entirely?

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