Whiplash · written by Damien Chazelle · 2014

On the bus, Andrew watches Buddy Rich and ignores Nicole's message as Carl accuses him of stealing the spot.

Scene 53 of 117 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Carl

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 49 min into a 1:54 film

The story so farBefore scene 53

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.
Just before
Scene 50
After Shaffer wins, Fletcher praises the players publicly and casts his abusive methods as family care.
Scene 51
The stagehand returns Carl's folder, and Carl looks at Andrew with suspicion.
Scene 52
Fletcher removes Carl from the core seat and makes Andrew the drummer, with Carl assigned to turn pages.
Scene 53
This scene

53INT. ROAD TO NEW JERSEY - BUS - DAY

Andrew watches a VIDEO on his iPhone... It’s 70’s footage and audio of a grey-haired DRUMMER, a face we’ve seen before... BUDDY RICH. Andrew smiles. Relaxed. Proud.

A bubble pops up: “1 NEW VOICEMAIL, 1 NEW TEXT MESSAGE”.

Andrew opens the text. The name on it: “NICOLE”. It reads:

“You free Thursday?”

Andrew is about to answer. Hesitates. Plays the voicemail.

CARL (O.S.)

Neiman... You lost that folder on purpose.

You knew I didn’t know the chart by

heart... Answer me... I’ve been core for

two years. I’ve been drumming since I was

three. I earned my spot you asshol--

Andrew hangs up. Looks back at the text message. Considering again...

Then he just resumes watching the video.