Whiplash, 2013

Whiplash is a 2013 American drama short film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It depicts the relationship between an impassioned and gifted jazz drummer (Johnny Simmons) and an abusive bandleader (J. K. Simmons). It is the short that the feature film is based on.

Whiplash premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2013, where it won the Short Film Jury Prize. It was then adapted to a feature film,[2] which won three Academy Awards.

Plot

Andrew Neiman is a first-year student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. He has been playing drums from a young age, and he aspires to become a world-class drummer. Fletcher, conductor and bandleader of Shaffer Conservatory Studio Band, invites him into the ensemble as alternate for core drummer Carl. However, Andrew quickly discovers that Fletcher is strict and abusive to his students. When the band rehearses the Hank Levy piece "Whiplash" and Andrew struggles to keep the tempo, Fletcher hurls a chair at him, slaps him, and berates him in front of the ensemble.