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In this project, you will develop a treatment for a PREQUEL to THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Recall that the movie begins with (1) Maria is an 18 year old nun in the convent, (2) Mrs. Von Trapp has died some time in the past, and (3) Captain Von Trapp is apparently retired and in charge as a single father of the five or six kids.
Since we are making the treatment of a potential PREQUEL, it needs to take place before these 3 situations and provide backstory to them.
ChatGPT
Creating a prequel to "The Sound of Music" offers an opportunity to explore the lives of key characters before the events of the original film. Here's a treatment outline for such a prequel:
Title: "The Echoes of Tomorrow"
Setting:
Early 20th century Austria, primarily in Salzburg and the surrounding countryside.
The Von Trapp family estate and the Nonnberg Abbey.
Timeline:
The story takes place over several years, leading up to the point where the original film begins.
Main Characters:
Captain Georg Von Trapp: Explored as a younger man, a dedicated naval officer deeply in love with his wife.
Agathe Whitehead Von Trapp: The first wife of Captain Von Trapp, showcasing her role in the family and her impact on their lives. [see note at bottom]
Young Maria: Briefly shown in her life before deciding to join the convent.
The Von Trapp Children: Focus on the older children when they were younger.
The Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey: Featuring the abbey where Maria later seeks her vocation.
Plot Outline:
Act 1: The Captain and Agathe
The Love Story: Begin with Captain Von Trapp's career in the Austro-Hungarian Navy and his meeting with Agathe Whitehead. Showcase their courtship, marriage, and the joyous early years of their family.
Family Dynamics: Introduce the young Von Trapp children, focusing on their individual personalities and their bond with their mother.
Foreshadowing: Subtle hints of Agathe's declining health.
Act 2: Challenges and Changes
Agathe's Illness: Agathe's health deteriorates, affecting the family. This period highlights Captain Von Trapp's struggle to balance his naval career and his growing family.
Maria's Early Life: Parallel storyline of a young Maria, her family background, and the experiences leading to her interest in joining the convent.
The Role of Music: Establish the family’s connection to music, initially through Agathe and later as a coping mechanism for the family.
Act 3: Loss and Transformation
Agathe's Passing: A poignant portrayal of Agathe’s death and its profound impact on the family.
Captain's Transformation: Show how Agathe’s death leads to Captain Von Trapp's decision to retire from the navy and become distant and strict, setting the stage for the original film.
Maria's Decision: Conclude with Maria’s decision to join the convent, driven by her desire for purpose and guidance in life.
Themes:
Family and Loss: Explore the deep bonds within the Von Trapp family and how they cope with love and loss.
Transformation and Resilience: Highlight the characters’ transformations in the face of life’s challenges.
The Power of Music: Music as a central theme, acting as a source of joy, solace, and unity.
Visual and Musical Elements:
Scenic Landscapes: Captivating views of Austrian landscapes and estates.
Period Authenticity: Accurate depiction of early 20th-century Austrian culture and naval life.
Musical Score: Incorporate traditional Austrian music, setting the stage for the musical elements of the original film.
Conclusion:
The prequel ends leading directly into the events of "The Sound of Music," with Maria entering the convent and Captain Von Trapp grappling with his role as a single father, setting a familiar stage for audiences of the original film.
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The first wife was indeed Agathe Whitehead from a British but heavily international family; she was multilingual. The children were sickened, and Agathe died, with scarlet fever. in 1922, age 31.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathe_Whitehead
