Script Analysis: “Whiplash” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: Whiplash (2014). You may download the script here.

Written by Damien Chazelle.

IMDb plot summary: A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.

WHIPLASH
Scene By Scene Breakdown
By Steven Broughton
GoIntoTheStory.com

p.1–3: We meet ANDREW NEIMAN, first year student, who sits honing his drum skills in the practice room. FLETCHER enters and states that he’s looking for players. He asks Neiman to play a few specific beats for him. Neiman struggles with one particular rudiment, the double time swing, he closes his eyes as he tries to keep tempo and only opens them when he hears the door close. Fletcher has gone, failure.

p.3–4A: Neiman heads to the theater. We meet Nicole who works on the concessions stands. He seems to like her but does nothing about it. Neiman joins JIM his father in the theater. He explains that he played for Fletcher today and shrugs when asked how it went. Jim tells him there are other things in life and draws a comparison with his own failed expectations as a youngster. Neiman calls into question his dads attitude to not making it. “It’s just life” his father retorts. At that point another movie goer bangs into Jim’s head as he goes to his seat, Jim apologizes despite it not being his fault as Neiman observes his fathers acceptance of what just happened.

p.5–6: Neiman enters the dorm hallway, a party is in full swing, he ignores this and goes into his room. He sits in awe watching a documentary on legendary drummer Buddy Rich surrounded by musical paraphernalia.

p.7–8: Back in the practice room, its now full of musicians, the NASSAU BAND, one of the schools lower level jazz bands. Neiman sits almost in admiration, watching as a good looking well built male flirts with a girl. Meet RYAN CONNOLLY. Another student speaks with Ryan indicating they were “hurting with Neiman on the kit”, which Neiman hears. Ryan seems friendly enough as he sits at the drum set asking Neiman how his weekend was and if he’d been practicing. The conductor enters and the band rehearse. As they practice one of the other band members directs Ryan’s attention to the door. Fletcher’s silhouette can be seen in the glass, Neiman tenses. The silhouette disappears.

p.8–9: After practice Neiman discusses his progress with the conductor. He observes a picture on the wall of a confident drummer throwing his stick in the air mid set, its the opposite of him. He makes it obvious he’d like to try out for Fletcher’s band, the conductor makes it obvious that that outcome is highly unlikely and maybe he could think about starting a rock band.

p.10: Neiman walks through the hallways with a transfer application in his hand, he hears music Sent from my iPad

p.10–11: Neiman in the practice room playing hard, trying to keep up with a metronome as he rehearses his double time swing, faster, faster until his stick breaks. He looks to a picture of Buddy Rich on the wall and then back at his transfer paper. He then puts on a CD — Buddy Rich — Birdland and listens to the blistering speed of Rich’ double-time swing. He contemplates for a second before turning it off.

p.11–12 Neiman marches into the theater and p to Nicole and nervously tells her he’d like to date. She teases him before agreeing to Monday at 7. He floats off.

p.12–16: Neiman sits outside the Dean’s office transfer application in hand when an assistant asks him to drop by Fletcher’s office. Fletcher questions him on why he is leaving, where’s he going, what’s he going to do there etc. As the interrogation continues, Neiman is seen questioning his own decision, does he really want to leave? He observe the trophies and pictures of luminaries on the wall screaming that Schaffer is the place to be. He starts to back track on his decision. Fletcher ends with “why don’t you give it some more thought, and in the meantime… …make sure your double-time swing is ready by Mondays Nassau Band. Andrew’s decision is made.

p.16–18: The Nassau band are rehearsing, Neiman at the drums is missing beats before the conductor asks him and Ryan to switch places. Fletcher bursts through the door and up to the music stand. He starts calling instruments and bars as different sections of the band try to impressive him with short space of time he gives them. Next is Neiman’s turn, he does his best to hit the double-time swing on Fletcher’s tempo. Fletcher moves on. As he is finished he asks drums to go with him. Ryan excitedly starts to pick up and move off when Fletcher indicates that he meant Neiman. Neiman follows and Fletcher tells him to be at the next practice 6AM room B16

p.18–22: Neiman and Nicole have their first date. They bond over pizza and music. They dwell on Nicole’s educational situation and Neiman reaches out as he senses her discomfort about the situation. They both seem like loners, more comfortable with their own company.

p.22–23: Neiman wakes up, he’s late. He rushes to get to practice on time. He arrives, and finds a sign up sheet stating the start time at 9am. He waits.

p.23–27: members of studio band filter into the room, TANNER the Core drummer introduces himself to Neiman by telling him to tune the set and turn the pages. Fletcher enters and introduces Neiman to the rest of the band. Today’s rehearsal, Whiplash. The music is fast, Neiman is struggling to keep up. Someone’s out of tune, Fletcher is angry he gives them the chance to own up. No one does. He tests sections of the band instrument by instrument before turning to a fat student, METZ. Fletcher fiercely grills Metz on him being in or out of tune. Metz doesn’t know. Fletcher screams at him to get out before identifying Wallach as the player out tune. He tells the band to break, after which Neiman is on. Neiman is frozen in terror.

p.27–29: Neiman nervously sits studying the musical numbers when everyone returns to the room. Fletcher returns and tells him to relax, it’s his first day. He makes small talk about Neiman’s parents and where his musical inspiration comes from. Relax and have fun he tells him, “you’re here for a reason.”

p.29–35: Back at practice Neiman sits at the drums. They begin, he starts well, his confidence rises as Fletcher encourages him, he plays some fills. Then he comes in late. Fletcher stops the band, he cues them back in, he reassures Neiman and tries to get him to pick up the correct tempo. Start, stop, start, stop. Neiman’s rushing, he’s dragging, he’s rushing again. He’s nervous as hell and then he seems to get it, Fletcher lets the band play on, walks to the other side of the room before hurling a folding chair at Neiman’s head. Neiman ducks before Fletcher strides over to him and berates him in front of the entire band. Telling Neiman to count he slaps his face each time painfully illustrating his point. Neiman starts to cry which only serves to add to Fletcher’s humiliating tirade. Fletcher finishes his tirade by telling Tanner to get back on the drums.

p.36–37: Neiman exits the building before running off as tears stream down his face. Back in his room he is crying before his dad calls. He explains Fletcher ripped him apart. Jim tries to get Neiman to come home, Neiman chooses to stay and practice.

p.37–39: Neiman tells Fletcher he won’t disappoint him. Montage of Neiman moving his mattress to the practice room and relentlessly practicing inter cut with scenes of Fletcher in everyday life, an ordinary man. Goes home to his apartment and is alone.

p.39–42: At a music hall we see a moment of humanity when Fletcher interacts with a guy and his daughter he is clearly familiar with. Back to business, the band getting ready to perform and Fletcher prepares the band. He notes that he found a music folder and if he finds one left around again there will be serious consequences.

p.42–45: After rehearsal Tanner gives Neiman his folder to look after. Neiman lays it down whilst getting a coke tanner returns the folder is gone. Desperation from the two drummers before Fletcher can be heard calling them back. Tanner blames Neiman and says he can’t play without the folder, seizing on the opportunity Neiman says he knows the music by heart. With no option left, Fletcher puts him in and tells him not to fuck it up.

p.45–47: Neiman is on stage, nervous as hell. The band begins and Neiman is hitting the tempo and the notes. Schaffer are awarded first place and in Fletcher’s acceptance speech he says the band are like his family, his children.

p.47–48: Stagehand returns the missing folder. When Fletcher arrives at next practice he makes it clear to Tanner that this practice is for Core band only. He is to turn Neiman’s pages. First sign of approval. Later he receives a message from Nicole asking for a second date and an abusive voicemail from Tanner which he ignores.

p.49–54: A family dinner, uncles and aunts boast about their children’s achievements. Neiman’s achievement of being main drummer in the country’s best school band is overlooked on numerous occasions in favor of his cousins football and scholarly success. Even Neiman’s father challenges him and Neiman is only happy to rise to the challenges and let everyone know what he thinks much to the chagrin of all the others at the table.

p.54–55: Neiman and Nicole in a coffee shop. Neiman dumps Nicole. He has to focus on becoming great.

p.55–58: Another day another practice, Neiman is playing well. Fletcher keeps him behind after class and tells him that Connolly will be trying out for Studio band also. To rub it in he had given Connolly the new music to rehearse earlier. He gets the, to play the new music, Neiman having not rehearsed doesn’t nail it, Connolly does. Fletcher’s phone goes and as he walks off he says Connolly has he part.

p.58–59: Neiman follows Fletcher into his office protesting against his choice. Fletcher tells him it’s not s good time. Neiman challenges and Fletcher screams at him. He seems vulnerable. As Neiman leaves, Fletcher tells him if he wants the part he should earn it. Neiman goes home and practices hard, so hard his hands are bleeding. He is pushing himself to the limit.

p.60- 66: rehearsals. Fletcher enters and puts on a cd as he recounts the story of Sean Casey whom has passed away. Fletcher is emotional. Another side to him. After he’s finished its back to the music. Connolly messes up, Neiman is on, he gets it wrong, Tanners next. Fletcher erupts in anger. He puts the rest of the band on break until one of he drummers gets it right. Hours pass. The drummers are being tortured on the kit, none of them is getting it right. Neiman is back on, Fletcher screaming at him to play faster and faster. His muscles are aching, hands are blistered, Fletcher pushes him to keep going, faster, faster, faster. He eventually cuts him off. Brings the rest of the band in. Time to rehearse. The time is 2.00am. The band finish at 3.30am Fletcher tells them to leave 2 hours for travel to New York, do not be late.

p.66–69: on the coach to the venue and it gets a flat. A mad rush for Neiman, another bus, a car rental. He calls ahead. The band is preparing to go on and Connolly is warming up.

p.69–71: Neiman bursts in late, the parts been given to Connolly. He challenges Fletcher who notes he doesn’t even have sticks. Neiman realizes he’s forgotten them and says he’ll be back. After a heated debate its a race against time to get the sticks and be on stage in time or be dropped.

p.71–73: Neiman races back to the rental place and picks up his sticks. Time is against him. On the way back he calls another band member, he’ll be there. He’s distracted, he’s speeding. Next thing, he gets wiped out by a truck. He crawls out from his upturned car, head bleeding, hand broken. He’s dazed. The driver of the other vehicle tries to help him, he’s got one thing on his mind. Make the stage. He runs off.

p.74–76: Neiman bursts onto the stage, Fletcher and band in place. He ousts Connolly from his seat. He looks in no state to play. He band starts and immediately Neiman is struggling. He can’t hold his sticks, can’t hit the tempo. It’s all crumbling. Until finally everything comes to a halt. He’s finished. Fletcher tells him he’s done. At this, Neiman snaps. He attacks Fletcher and tackles him to the ground. Security pull him off and drag him away, screaming and crying all the emotions flooding out of him.

p.76–76A: Neiman looks about his room, a dismissal letter indicates he has been expelled from Shaffer. He puts on an old DVD of an 8 year him playing the drums and his dad cheering him on. He takes the DVD out and breaks it, goes to his practice room and almost violently takes his drum set apart. He tears his Buddy Rich poster from the wall. After throwing bags of garbage to into the trash he pulls out his phone.

p.77–79A: Neiman his father and the solicitor Rachel sit in a room. Rachel and Jim try to convince Neiman to make an official complaint about Fletcher. Rachel explains that Shaun Casey actually hung himself contrary to what Fletcher had said. She informs him Casey’ mother said it was due to anxiety and depression initially brought about by Fletcher. Neiman is skeptical, he feels betrayed by his dad’s arranging of this meeting. Rachel and Jim push the issue and Neiman is silent for a period, clearly processing the information before relenting. “Just tell me what to say”

p.82–83: Neiman walking sees an advert for the JVC jazz festival. He returns home to a new flat. Jim is there. They watch a movie together. Jim trying to make sure his son is having s good time. Neiman seems somewhat wistful. College applications sit on a desk in the room. His dad leaves and Neiman looks at his phone, his finger hovers over Nicole’s name. He refrains from contacting her.

p.83–84: Montage — Neiman working at a sandwich shop, then at home watching a game with family then walking the streets. He passes a jazz club with a sign saying guest performer Terence Fletcher. It holds him a second, he walks off pauses and then turns back.

p.84–89: Neiman enters the club, Fletcher at the piano is playing exquisitely, clearly taken with the music. Seeing him again raises Neiman’s pulse. As Fletcher finishes, the two catch eyes. Neiman attempts a hasty exit but is blocked. Fletcher calls his name, an awkward hello. The two sit and discuss their current situations. Fletcher tells him he has a pro band at the upcoming JVC and Neiman apologizes for attacking him. Neiman is on eggshells as they discuss the circumstances of Fletchers departure from Shaffer. Fletcher justifies his actions to Neiman, he wanted to find his own Charlie Parker. He tells the story of Parker being laughed off stage, going away crying and coming back a year later to perform the best solo the world has ever heard. Neiman gets it, Fletcher’s sentiments reflect his own. Is their a line at which you might discourage the next great, Neiman asks. The next great wouldn’t be discouraged retorts Fletcher.

p.89–90: As they leave the Jazz club, Fletcher proposes Neiman join his band for the JVC festival as his current drummer isn’t good enough. Clearly surprised after all that’s happened Neiman questions why him. Fletcher tells him to think on it but Neiman has already decided. Yes.

p.90–91: Montage of Neiman getting his drum kit out, reassembles it practices, practices, reinvigorated. Then at rehearsal In a huge theater, he band practice whiplash. Fletcher tells him good job. Neiman asks the bassist if he sounds alright and if there was anything he needed to do the previous drummer did. He bassist, surprised tells Neiman they never had a drummer before Neiman.

p.91A-93: Neiman calls Nicole, nervous again, apologizes about before and invites her to JVC. She says she will have to check with her boyfriend. It hits Neiman hard. He is surprisingly hurt. Takes it out on drum practice.

p.93A-94: Intercut between Neiman and Fletcher getting ready for the performance, making their way to the Carnegie Hall and arriving there.

p.94–96: The green room, musicians prepare, Neiman looks out of the curtains and sees his dad in the crowd. Anticipation. Fletcher tells the guys to do well and that this crowd will never forget a performance so it’s make or break time. They take the stage.

p.96–100: The crowd a black sea of shadows. Fletcher takes the center. He approaches Andrew and tells him he knows it was him and he has known the whole time. Neiman begins to sweat. Fletcher introduces the band and the song they will be playing, Upswingin’. Neiman reels. He doesn’t have that music. He thought it was Whiplash. The band begins and Neiman tries his best to improvise, he’s getting it all wrong, starting when the band stop and stopping when they start. It’s a catastrophe. Before they finish tears are in his eyes. Then it’s all over. Fletcher approaches “I guess you don’t have it”. Neiman searches he crowd, he sees Jim exiting and Nicole with her boyfriend. He is crushed, he hurries off the stage. Jim meets him and embraces him. He tries to get him out of there and then Neiman stops. He looks at his dad who is being removed by stage hands, he cuts a pathetic figure. Neiman turns and heads back to the stage. Fire in his eyes

p.100–105: He takes his seat, Fletcher stares at him smugly. As he goes to introduce the next song, Neiman flies into action on the drums. The band don’t know what’s happening. Fletcher stares him out. He is not phased. He cues the bassist who joins him. Fletcher annoyed but knows what must happen. He cues the rest of the band and they join in, Caravan plus drum solo. The band are blasting away, Fletcher and Neiman continue to stare each other out, the mouth insults to one another. Neiman is hitting fills he was missing before. He’s playing exceptionally. Fletcher can’t believe it. Andrew is now leading the band and as the music reaches the end Neiman keeps playing. Fletcher tries to stop him and Neiman tells him he will cue the band. Fletcher steps back, as the reality of what’s happening takes over. Neiman is playing like a man possessed. In the audience execs, journalists and suits get their phones out Fletcher has never seen anything like this before nor heard anything. Neiman plays faster and faster, the greats play in the 400s, 410, 420, 430. Neiman hits 450, he is owning the stage. He has become drumming. He almost drops his music, Fletcher steadies it and gives some suggestions which Neiman follows. The two are in harmony, Neiman brings the tempo right down, very slow, quiet, you can hear the audience holding their breath. On Fletcher’s cue he begins to bring it back up, faster and faster, he builds and build, Fletcher encourages and preps the band. With a flick of his wrist the whole band roars the last note out together with Neiman on the drums. A crescendo of noise and then silence as we —

Fade to black

Writing Exercise: I encourage you to read the script, but short of that, if you’ve seen the movie, go through this scene-by-scene breakdown. What stands out to you about it from a structural standpoint?

If you’d like a PDF of the Whiplash script scene-by-scene breakdown, go here.

Major kudos to Steven Broughton for doing this week’s breakdown.

For more movie scene-by-scene breakdowns, go here.