Whiplash · written by Damien Chazelle · 2014

At rehearsal in Zankel Hall, Andrew plays well and learns he is the only drummer Fletcher's band has had.

Scene 103 of 117 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Fletcher
Andrew
Bassist

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:34 into a 1:54 film

The story so farBefore scene 103

A young jazz drummer pursues a place among the country’s best, pushing himself toward greatness under the control of a brilliant, abusive instructor.

Scenes 1–6
Andrew lives inside solitary practice, family movie nights, and an ideal of greatness learned from jazz legends.
Scenes 7–13
Shaffer's hierarchy makes Andrew doubt his prospects, while he wants a chance to become an exceptional drummer.
Scenes 14–17
Fletcher draws Andrew back from transferring, and Andrew enters Studio Band while beginning a relationship with Nicole.
Scenes 18–48
Andrew learns Fletcher's brutal rules, competes for status, and tries to survive the first rehearsals.
Scenes 49–50
Andrew plays Whiplash from memory and helps Shaffer win the competition, gaining the core position he wanted.
Scenes 51–85
He pays through isolation, injury, and public failure as Fletcher's tests consume his relationships and safety.
Scenes 86–99
Andrew leaves Shaffer and music behind, then encounters Fletcher again and receives a chance to return.
Just before
Scene 100
Andrew finds his old drums in a closet and decides to return to playing.
Scene 101
Andrew sets the kit up in his apartment, moving with renewed energy.
Scene 102
Andrew practices for hours, visibly reimmersed in drumming.
Scene 103
This scene

103INT. JUDY AND ARTHUR ZANKEL HALL - NIGHT

An empty theater. It’s one of Carnegie Hall’s theaters -- bigger and far sleeker than any of the theaters Studio Band played. Ceiling decked with lights, capacity 1200. On the stage, rehearsing, is a JAZZ ORCHESTRA.

Similar set-up to Studio Band, the PLAYERS all young pros -- except, of course, Andrew, the youngest of all.

Pink (9/10/2013)

The chart is WHIPLASH JVC REHEARSAL, and the band sounds tight.

The players reach the end -- and Fletcher looks at his watch. Composed, even mild.

FLETCHER

Rest up, gang. Call-time Sunday is 6.

(and, as he heads off,)

Andrew.

(Andrew turns)

Good job.

Andrew takes this in. The latest in a long line of surprises...

The PLAYERS pack up. Andrew, trying to work past his shyness--

ANDREW

Hope that was ok.

BASSIST

Yeah. You sounded good.

ANDREW

Thanks. You too.

(then,)

Is there...anything you worked out with

the previous guy that I should know?

BASSIST

Previous guy?

ANDREW

The previous drummer.

The BASSIST looks at him: What?

BASSIST

Last week we rehearsed without drums.

You’re the only drummer we’ve ever had.

Beat. He walks off. Andrew stands there. Confused...

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