Rushing or Dragging To Achievement: Whiplash (2014)

Screen Cares

Episode Transcript

As a culture, we admire those who come from modest means and through a rare recipe of natural talent and dedicated training, become the best in their fields. We love success. We want success. We want our children to achieve success. Yet, what is success? Over the last few years, more and more research has offered cautionary tales about the dangers of living in a culture that values high achievement, of pushing our children to reach the top. Screen Cares co-host, Sarah discusses how she’s experienced a competitive atmosphere in the world of music and how seeing and discussing the film, Whiplash (2014), has created a lasting impact as she and her husband work to raise their children.
A special HUGE thank you to Brooks Milgate! He is an incredibly talented professional musician who composed and created our Screen Cares theme music. He plays shows all over the country and is a consummate professional and stand-up guy. For bookings or for more information, message him on Instagram @brakesmilgate

Screen Shares Rating:

• Little Screen*

*Please note, while Screen Cares encourages you to share this movie as a reference point to start important conversations with older adolescents, teens or the young adults in your life, it was rated “R” by the MPAA. This movie has strong language, offensive homophobic and other slurs, verbal abuse from a teacher, and intense moments, including a serious car accident. Screen Cares does not condone the use of hate speech in any form, for any reason. We believe that words matter, and no one, ever deserves to have any aspect of their personhood denigrated or belittled.

We feel that there is value in having in-depth conversations about the content of the movie and that the presence of strong language and verbal slurs offer an opportunity for parents/guardians/trusted adults to discuss the importance of word choice. Screen Cares also believes that talking about the theme of high-achievement culture-especially with those who may struggle with perfectionism or who are interested in a creative field-is valuable.

Screen Sparks:

1. Is trauma and sacrifice required for greatness?
2. Do you think that being “good” is sufficient, or do we need to be the best?
3. If you have a creative yearning, what is stopping you from pursuing your art/craft?

Bonus Material-Links and Info Referenced during the show:

• Official Whiplash website:

https://www.sonyclassics.com/whiplash/

• The oft-referenced “rushing or dragging scene” can be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/VnuImW1dWAk

• What is the musical method that Sarah referenced? Visit the Suzuki Association of America’s article to learn more about this wonderful method:

https://suzukiassociation.org/a

Visit www.ScreenCares.com for all of the resources mentioned in the episode and for additional Screen Cares content.
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