1. Wide establishing shot
Massive round gate made of nested iron comb-like structures. Torm and the Old Man materialize/reform from glowing blocks in the center of the gate.
2. Medium tracking shot
Camera follows them as they step forward out of the gateway into the hidden Roman spa-like chamber.
3. Sweeping wide crane shot
Revealing the full beauty of the ancient stonework cradling the serene pond, soft light filtering down.
4. Close-up
Old Man’s face as he instantly recognizes the place. His expression shifts to deep emotion.
5. Medium shot
Old Man walks slowly to the water’s edge and kneels.
6. Close-up
Tears in the Old Man’s eyes as he dips his hands into the water.
7. Extreme close-up
Water dripping from his cupped hands.
8. Medium shot – Torm
Torm looking around frantically.
TORM
Where is it?
9. Close-up
Torm patting her pockets desperately for the compass.
10. Medium shot
TORM
I lost my compass! We have to go back and find it.
11. Tracking shot
Torm rushes back to the iron gate and struggles to move it.
12. Close-up on hands
Torm pulling hard on the gate mechanism with no success.
13. Medium shot
Torm steps back in defeat, overwhelmed.
14. Close-up – Torm’s face
Hopelessness and confusion wash over her.
TORM
Or is this all just a dream...
15. Over-the-shoulder (Torm to Old Man)
Torm looking at the kneeling Old Man.
TORM
What if you're not real.
16. Medium shot
Torm turns back and tries the gate one last time.
17. Close-up – Torm
TORM
My sister could already be dead... Feels like I'm going nowhere.
18. Wide shot
Torm turning back toward the pond, noticing the Old Man still kneeling, completely absorbed.
19. Soft close-up
Old Man speaking gently, almost to the water.
OLD KING
When a King is born, the mother comes here...
20. Medium two-shot
Old Man continues speaking as Torm listens in wonder.
21. Close-up – Old King
OLD KING
Because I was born here.
22. Reaction close-up – Torm
Eyes widening with curiosity and awe.
23. Medium shot – Old King
He continues his story of being born into luxury, love, and marriage.
24. Close-up on vial
Old King holds out the vial toward Torm.
25. Over-the-shoulder (Torm)
Torm reaches out and touches the vial.
TORM
It’s cold!
26. Close-up – Old King
OLD KING
Has my mind made me believe it was warm...
27. Two-shot
Old King and Torm by the water’s edge. He speaks about Heaven, compasses, and destiny.
28. Close-up – Torm
TORM
But I don't have my compass anymore.
29. Medium close-up – Old King
OLD KING
You've lost your compass because its purpose has been fulfilled...
30. Close-up – Torm
TORM
Why does everything have to die in this world?
31. Medium shot
Torm’s emotional philosophical outburst about death and Heaven.
32. Close-up – Old King
He smiles softly and begins the ant story.
OLD KING
When I was young I kept ants...
33. Close-up on leaf
Torm takes out the dream leaf and breaks it in half.
34. Medium shot
Torm reluctantly hands the Old King his half.
35. Close-up
Torm crushes her half of the leaf and blows the golden dust onto the pond surface.
36. Wide special effects shot
The pond reacts — water rumbles and glitters as microscopic life responds to the dust.
37. Montage sequence (Shots 37A–37C)
Golden dragonflies landing on old ornate lanterns, lighting them.
Dragonfly larva rapidly growing on a stone.
More dragonflies multiplying.
38. Two-shot
Old King stands beside Torm. He puts the leaf in his mouth and eats it.
39. Close-up – Torm
Realization and horror on her face.
TORM
There must be another way...
40. Medium close-up – Old King
OLD KING
No matter what world we find ourselves in, a Dreamer will always outrank a King...
41. Wide emotional shot
Old King steps into the water.
OLD KING
Oh world, break my heart and bring me better dreams.
42. Slow tracking shot
Old King walks deeper until he is fully submerged.
43. Underwater shot
Dragonflies swarm respectfully around him. Vision of his wife appears hovering above the surface.
44. Epic wide shot
Dragonfly mass replaces his body, tornadoes, then explodes upward out of the pond in millions.
45. Medium action shot
Torm is knocked backward by the explosion of water and dragonflies.
46. Hero shot
A massive, majestic dragonfly lands on the pond deck, opens its body like a vehicle.
47. Medium shot
Torm gathers her things and carefully climbs the pond stairs.
48. Close-up
Torm climbing into the dragonfly’s body.
49. Medium shot
Dragonfly closes its shell around Torm.
50. Final wide aerial shot
The giant dragonfly takes flight, joining the massive swarm, flying through the tunnel and away.
Massive round gate made of nested iron comb-like structures. Torm and the Old Man materialize/reform from glowing blocks in the center of the gate.
2. Medium tracking shot
Camera follows them as they step forward out of the gateway into the hidden Roman spa-like chamber.
3. Sweeping wide crane shot
Revealing the full beauty of the ancient stonework cradling the serene pond, soft light filtering down.
4. Close-up
Old Man’s face as he instantly recognizes the place. His expression shifts to deep emotion.
5. Medium shot
Old Man walks slowly to the water’s edge and kneels.
6. Close-up
Tears in the Old Man’s eyes as he dips his hands into the water.
7. Extreme close-up
Water dripping from his cupped hands.
8. Medium shot – Torm
Torm looking around frantically.
TORM
Where is it?
9. Close-up
Torm patting her pockets desperately for the compass.
10. Medium shot
TORM
I lost my compass! We have to go back and find it.
11. Tracking shot
Torm rushes back to the iron gate and struggles to move it.
12. Close-up on hands
Torm pulling hard on the gate mechanism with no success.
13. Medium shot
Torm steps back in defeat, overwhelmed.
14. Close-up – Torm’s face
Hopelessness and confusion wash over her.
TORM
Or is this all just a dream...
15. Over-the-shoulder (Torm to Old Man)
Torm looking at the kneeling Old Man.
TORM
What if you're not real.
16. Medium shot
Torm turns back and tries the gate one last time.
17. Close-up – Torm
TORM
My sister could already be dead... Feels like I'm going nowhere.
18. Wide shot
Torm turning back toward the pond, noticing the Old Man still kneeling, completely absorbed.
19. Soft close-up
Old Man speaking gently, almost to the water.
OLD KING
When a King is born, the mother comes here...
20. Medium two-shot
Old Man continues speaking as Torm listens in wonder.
21. Close-up – Old King
OLD KING
Because I was born here.
22. Reaction close-up – Torm
Eyes widening with curiosity and awe.
23. Medium shot – Old King
He continues his story of being born into luxury, love, and marriage.
24. Close-up on vial
Old King holds out the vial toward Torm.
25. Over-the-shoulder (Torm)
Torm reaches out and touches the vial.
TORM
It’s cold!
26. Close-up – Old King
OLD KING
Has my mind made me believe it was warm...
27. Two-shot
Old King and Torm by the water’s edge. He speaks about Heaven, compasses, and destiny.
28. Close-up – Torm
TORM
But I don't have my compass anymore.
29. Medium close-up – Old King
OLD KING
You've lost your compass because its purpose has been fulfilled...
30. Close-up – Torm
TORM
Why does everything have to die in this world?
31. Medium shot
Torm’s emotional philosophical outburst about death and Heaven.
32. Close-up – Old King
He smiles softly and begins the ant story.
OLD KING
When I was young I kept ants...
33. Close-up on leaf
Torm takes out the dream leaf and breaks it in half.
34. Medium shot
Torm reluctantly hands the Old King his half.
35. Close-up
Torm crushes her half of the leaf and blows the golden dust onto the pond surface.
36. Wide special effects shot
The pond reacts — water rumbles and glitters as microscopic life responds to the dust.
37. Montage sequence (Shots 37A–37C)
Golden dragonflies landing on old ornate lanterns, lighting them.
Dragonfly larva rapidly growing on a stone.
More dragonflies multiplying.
38. Two-shot
Old King stands beside Torm. He puts the leaf in his mouth and eats it.
39. Close-up – Torm
Realization and horror on her face.
TORM
There must be another way...
40. Medium close-up – Old King
OLD KING
No matter what world we find ourselves in, a Dreamer will always outrank a King...
41. Wide emotional shot
Old King steps into the water.
OLD KING
Oh world, break my heart and bring me better dreams.
42. Slow tracking shot
Old King walks deeper until he is fully submerged.
43. Underwater shot
Dragonflies swarm respectfully around him. Vision of his wife appears hovering above the surface.
44. Epic wide shot
Dragonfly mass replaces his body, tornadoes, then explodes upward out of the pond in millions.
45. Medium action shot
Torm is knocked backward by the explosion of water and dragonflies.
46. Hero shot
A massive, majestic dragonfly lands on the pond deck, opens its body like a vehicle.
47. Medium shot
Torm gathers her things and carefully climbs the pond stairs.
48. Close-up
Torm climbing into the dragonfly’s body.
49. Medium shot
Dragonfly closes its shell around Torm.
50. Final wide aerial shot
The giant dragonfly takes flight, joining the massive swarm, flying through the tunnel and away.
SISTER
(1) Water... water.
Torm puts down a vial and quickly fetches her sister water and rushes to her bedside.
TORM
(2) Here it is, here.
Torm gently helps her sister sit up and drink. Her sister takes a small sip and falls back to her pillow.
SISTER
(3) Will this never end?
TORM
(4) Just rest. It will be over soon.
Torm puts down the water and adjusts her sister's vapor machine.
SISTER
(5) I'm so afraid, Torm. I don't want to die.
TORM
(6) Fear is good: it means your mind is working properly .
SISTER
(7)Please, get this out of me.
TORM
(8) I am, little sis, we just need a little more time.
Torm checks a few spots on her sister's body for black veins.
SISTER
(9) What if the mixtures stop working? What if they start having the opposite effects and I start getting worse again?
TORM
(10) Just a few weeks ago you couldn't even talk. And now I see the black veins growing smaller. You have nothing at all to worry about.
Torm takes out a small dripper and a glass plate.
TORM
(11) Okay, a few dream samples.
Torm collects a few of her sister's tears and drops them onto the glass plate.
TORM
(12) Your dreams are getting more colorful.
SISTER
(13) The dreams are the only thing good about the fever.
TORM
(14) I've read that some people give themselves Shadow Fever just to have the dreams.
SISTER
(15) I CAN ONLY REMEBER PARTS OF THEM.
Torm puts a dry white mixture into the vapor machine that is at the side of her sister's bed. Torm adjusts a few parts of the machine and soon it releases vapors.
TORM
(16) I will show them to you when you are better. Now get some more sleep so I can go back to work.
Torm tucks her sister in and returns to her work.
............................................................
SHOT LIST 1-56
EXT. KING'S POND (KING'S POND)
Torm and the Old Man reform from blocks in a large round gate that locks like a comb nested in a hidden archway. They find themselves in a hidden place built like an old Roman spa, whose stone work cradles a pond. The Old Man recognizes this place immediately. He moves to the water’s edge and kneels down in tears. He takes some of the water in his hands.
TORM
Where is it?
Torm states in a panic. She looks for her compass but can’t find it.
TORM
I lost my compass! We have to go back and find it.
Torm turns back and tries to move the iron in the gateway but is unsuccessful.
TORM
I need that compass or I can’t continue!
Torm gives up on the gate and has a feeling of hopelessness and confusion come over her.
TORM
Or is this all just a dream; Have I just been dreaming this whole time? What if the compass wasn't real...
She looks at the Old Man.
TORM
What if you're not real.
Torm continues trying her luck with the gate pole.
TORM
My sister could already be dead and I have no idea. Feels like I'm going nowhere. Just a string of long obstacles.
Torm turns to look at the Old Man. She notices he is on his knees at the pond’s edge absentminded to her.
OLD KING
When a King is born, the mother comes here and bathes in the water until it is time for labor. The water is pure and healing. The life in these waters keeps the child safe and clean.
the Old Man says softly.
TORM
How do you know that?
OLD KING
Because I was born here.
Torm looks at him with wonder and curiosity as he continues.
OLD KING
I was born to a life of luxury, I was a King from birth, I was given opportunities, nurtured, developed, but mostly I was loved. I was taught how to love by being loved by my family. Naturally when I married, real love was possible since I knew what it was. But nothing prepared for letting go!
He holds out his vial to Torm.
OLD KING
You feel this vial?
Torm feels the vial.
TORM
It’s cold!
OLD KING
Has my mind made me believe it was warm because I just can't let her go? But yet you are the proof, beyond my own touch, that the vial has been warm. You've given me hope and I don't know if letting go is the best way to hold on, where the strongest grip is an open hand, but I do know that Heaven gave us two compasses to find one place. We are where we are supposed to be or Heaven wouldn't have been so nervously accurate with its directions.
TORM
But I don't have my compass anymore.
OLD KING
You've lost your compass because its purpose has been fulfilled and my compass has brought me to you so I might find this pond and exit the world the same place I entered it.
TORM
Why does everything have to die in this world? I don't believe it has to. Why are the steps to Heaven so often cold and filled with pain. What strategy does death play to Heaven, to thin out the stars of an overpopulated universe to make room in the clouds for unhatched souls? Or is it simply to cause pain to those who love? At the blink of an eye, Heaven could uninvent death and stop the world’s hearts from breaking.
OLD KING
When I was young I kept ants. Journey ants. They have something not common among other creatures. When resources are scarce, they search for a better place. The weaker ants sacrifice themselves to keep the colony alive for the survival of all. The best kings are ants.
OLD KING
Crush half of the leaf and give it to the pond... give me the other half.
TORM
Not if you're going to kill yourself.
OLD KING
I will step into that water and leave this world because I believe the benefit of our tragedy belongs to us and will show us a world better than we imagined!
The Old Man replies with love in his eyes as he holds out a hand for the leaf. Torm takes out the leaf she retrieved from the dream and breaks off his half and reluctantly gives it to him. She then goes to the pond, crushes the leaf, and blows its dust onto the surface.
The water reacts to the glittering gold leaf dust and rumbles at its surface.
the gaoldens dragn flies goes to old orante lantersn and lands onle ...it brings the lamps to light as the drag flies mullpty
The microscopic life feeds on it and Torm sees a dragonfly larva grow and fly to a nearby stone. The Old Man comes next to Torm. The surface settles down. He eats the leaf. Torm knows exactly his plan: He is going to go into the water and offer his body as a meal to the dragonflies.
TORM
There must be another way, you don't have to do this. I don't believe my next step has to be your last!
OLD KING
No matter what world we find ourselves in, a Dreamer will always outrank a King. And you dear girl, outrank me to infinity.
The Old Man says with a sincere heart. He steps into the water.
OLD KING
Oh world, break my heart and bring me better dreams.
he recites to the open air. He walks slowly until his head is no longer visible. The dragonflies show respect to the Old Man by waiting for him to be completely submerged before they begin their meal. He sees a vision of his wife hovering above the water. The dragonfly tadpoles swarm around him and multiply as their mass replaces the image of his body. They tornado around him and then fly off, leaving nothing where he once stood. They race down the underwater channels of the pond and grow in flight, soon breaking the surface of the pond in a swarm of millions. Torm is knocked over by the explosion of water. A large dragonfly stands waiting for her on the pond’s deck. She sees it opens its body indicating it is her vehicle. She gathers her things and makes her way up the pond stairs to the waiting dragonfly. She carefully crawls into its body. The dragonfly closes its shell and they take flight, joining the other dragonflies in great swarm.
tomr rides teh dragon fliw through teh tunnel
Torm and the Old Man reform from blocks in a large round gate that locks like a comb nested in a hidden archway. They find themselves in a hidden place built like an old Roman spa, whose stone work cradles a pond. The Old Man recognizes this place immediately. He moves to the water’s edge and kneels down in tears. He takes some of the water in his hands.
TORM
Where is it?
Torm states in a panic. She looks for her compass but can’t find it.
TORM
I lost my compass! We have to go back and find it.
Torm turns back and tries to move the iron in the gateway but is unsuccessful.
TORM
I need that compass or I can’t continue!
Torm gives up on the gate and has a feeling of hopelessness and confusion come over her.
TORM
Or is this all just a dream; Have I just been dreaming this whole time? What if the compass wasn't real...
She looks at the Old Man.
TORM
What if you're not real.
Torm continues trying her luck with the gate pole.
TORM
My sister could already be dead and I have no idea. Feels like I'm going nowhere. Just a string of long obstacles.
Torm turns to look at the Old Man. She notices he is on his knees at the pond’s edge absentminded to her.
OLD KING
When a King is born, the mother comes here and bathes in the water until it is time for labor. The water is pure and healing. The life in these waters keeps the child safe and clean.
the Old Man says softly.
TORM
How do you know that?
OLD KING
Because I was born here.
Torm looks at him with wonder and curiosity as he continues.
OLD KING
I was born to a life of luxury, I was a King from birth, I was given opportunities, nurtured, developed, but mostly I was loved. I was taught how to love by being loved by my family. Naturally when I married, real love was possible since I knew what it was. But nothing prepared for letting go!
He holds out his vial to Torm.
OLD KING
You feel this vial?
Torm feels the vial.
TORM
It’s cold!
OLD KING
Has my mind made me believe it was warm because I just can't let her go? But yet you are the proof, beyond my own touch, that the vial has been warm. You've given me hope and I don't know if letting go is the best way to hold on, where the strongest grip is an open hand, but I do know that Heaven gave us two compasses to find one place. We are where we are supposed to be or Heaven wouldn't have been so nervously accurate with its directions.
TORM
But I don't have my compass anymore.
OLD KING
You've lost your compass because its purpose has been fulfilled and my compass has brought me to you so I might find this pond and exit the world the same place I entered it.
TORM
Why does everything have to die in this world? I don't believe it has to. Why are the steps to Heaven so often cold and filled with pain. What strategy does death play to Heaven, to thin out the stars of an overpopulated universe to make room in the clouds for unhatched souls? Or is it simply to cause pain to those who love? At the blink of an eye, Heaven could uninvent death and stop the world’s hearts from breaking.
OLD KING
When I was young I kept ants. Journey ants. They have something not common among other creatures. When resources are scarce, they search for a better place. The weaker ants sacrifice themselves to keep the colony alive for the survival of all. The best kings are ants.
OLD KING
Crush half of the leaf and give it to the pond... give me the other half.
TORM
Not if you're going to kill yourself.
OLD KING
I will step into that water and leave this world because I believe the benefit of our tragedy belongs to us and will show us a world better than we imagined!
The Old Man replies with love in his eyes as he holds out a hand for the leaf. Torm takes out the leaf she retrieved from the dream and breaks off his half and reluctantly gives it to him. She then goes to the pond, crushes the leaf, and blows its dust onto the surface.
The water reacts to the glittering gold leaf dust and rumbles at its surface.
the gaoldens dragn flies goes to old orante lantersn and lands onle ...it brings the lamps to light as the drag flies mullpty
The microscopic life feeds on it and Torm sees a dragonfly larva grow and fly to a nearby stone. The Old Man comes next to Torm. The surface settles down. He eats the leaf. Torm knows exactly his plan: He is going to go into the water and offer his body as a meal to the dragonflies.
TORM
There must be another way, you don't have to do this. I don't believe my next step has to be your last!
OLD KING
No matter what world we find ourselves in, a Dreamer will always outrank a King. And you dear girl, outrank me to infinity.
The Old Man says with a sincere heart. He steps into the water.
OLD KING
Oh world, break my heart and bring me better dreams.
he recites to the open air. He walks slowly until his head is no longer visible. The dragonflies show respect to the Old Man by waiting for him to be completely submerged before they begin their meal. He sees a vision of his wife hovering above the water. The dragonfly tadpoles swarm around him and multiply as their mass replaces the image of his body. They tornado around him and then fly off, leaving nothing where he once stood. They race down the underwater channels of the pond and grow in flight, soon breaking the surface of the pond in a swarm of millions. Torm is knocked over by the explosion of water. A large dragonfly stands waiting for her on the pond’s deck. She sees it opens its body indicating it is her vehicle. She gathers her things and makes her way up the pond stairs to the waiting dragonfly. She carefully crawls into its body. The dragonfly closes its shell and they take flight, joining the other dragonflies in great swarm.
tomr rides teh dragon fliw through teh tunnel
SCENE SUMMARY
Torm and the Old Man arrive through a hidden gateway at the sacred King’s Pond, an ancient Roman-like sanctuary where kings were once born. Panicked after losing her compass, Torm begins doubting her entire journey, fearing her sister may already be dead and questioning whether any of it is real. The Old Man reveals he was born at the pond as a king raised with love, and explains that the compasses led them there for a reason. As Torm wrestles with the cruelty of death and suffering, the Old Man shares a lesson about journey ants sacrificing themselves for the survival of others. He asks Torm to use the magical leaf from the dream, believing it will fulfill both their destinies. When the golden dust touches the water, life awakens within the pond, and glowing dragonflies multiply around ancient lanterns. Accepting his fate, the Old Man eats his half of the leaf and enters the water, sacrificing himself so the dragonflies may feed and transform. Before disappearing beneath the surface, he declares, “Oh world, break my heart and bring me better dreams.” The dragonflies consume him in a beautiful, spiritual swarm, and from the explosion of life emerges a giant dragonfly waiting for Torm. Realizing this is her next path forward, she climbs inside the creature and flies into the tunnels with the massive glowing swarm.
10. HEART WALTZ
25. KING'S POND
SHOT LIST 1-35 APRX: 3:33
SHOT LIST 1-50 ( 2:11 min )
