The Visuals of Music: The Effect of Close-Up Interaction and Lighting in Whiplash Jake Miller 11th Grade

A cymbal crashes in a room full of people. Everyone immediately turns and stares in interest. The incident starts and ends in a heartbeat, but the sound attracts an incredible amount of attention - one that can rarely be overtaken by anything else. Amazingly, in Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle, the drums fade out and personal interaction crescendos in. Portraying a jazz student, Miles Teller’s character is physically and emotionally hurt by his professor, played by JK Simmons. In the film’s initial rehearsal with the top ensemble, Chazelle uses close up/extreme close up shots and lighting effects to intensify the interaction between Teller and Simmons, paving the way for the core theme of hate and suffering as seen throughout the film.

One of the most obvious themes seen in Whiplash is the consistent union between hate and suffering. Professor Fletcher’s constant hate is opposed by the suffering that Nieman has to endure. This theme is seen during most rehearsals and interactions between the two characters. The first rehearsal scene sets the tone for the theme used for the rest of the movie. One of Nieman’s main conflicts in the movie is his struggle to survive as a drummer - his ideal career path. In order to advance his...