12 YEARS A SLAVE


Written by
John Ridley
                              CARD: 1841



                               FADE IN:


          1 INT. TOWNHOUSE/STUDY - DAY 1


           -EARLY APRIL, 1841-

           We are close on a PAIR OF BLACK HANDS as they open A
           FINELY WRAPPED PACKET OF VIOLIN STRINGS.



WE CUT TO the hands stringing a VIOLIN. It's not a high

end piece, but it is quite nice.
WE CUT TO a wide shot of the study. Sitting in a chair

with violin in hand is SOLOMON NORTHUP; a man in his late

twenties. Everything about Solomon, his mien and manner,

is distinguished. But he, too, seems a hardy individual.

Someone who has known manual labor in his time.
Solomon begins to lightly play his violin, as if testing

the strings, their tuning. Satisfied, Solomon begins to

play vigorously. As he does, we make a HARD CUT TO:
           INT. HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - EVENING


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