Griffin Conboy
Professor Jackson
August 30th, 2016
Intro to Composition
Movie Poster Review: Whiplash
The movie "Whiplash" is one of high emotional intensity. The story follows the young Andrew Neiman, a quiet, societal introvert who has one goal: to be the best drummer there ever was. Neiman sets out to attend the Schaffer Conservatory School of music, also known as one of the best percussion academies in the United States. While at Schaffer, Neiman befriends Professor Terence Fletcher, a man who conducts the top competition ensemble. Neiman quickly learns Fletcher's harsh teaching style, and thus starts a decline into an unsociable state of mind, where Neiman's only focus is to become the best. Neiman drops everything he has in his life, his friends, his girlfriend, even his own father can't seem to dig him out of this oppression. Finally, Neiman leaves the Schaffer School of Music, and somewhat attempts to piece his life back together. Along the way, the university does a case study on Neiman, and discover Fletcher's destructive behaviors, and in turn, Fletcher loses his job. Terence Fletcher then reappears in Neiman's life, and his ruinous behaviors attempt to get revenge and Andrew Neiman for costing him his job. Following this intricate story line, it's hard to believe that the movie poster conveys the proper tone of the movie. However, I fully believe that the poster does a great job of translating the message of "Whiplash" to it's viewers.
As seen above, the poster is quite simplistic. It shows the snare drum of a drum set, some faded lettering on the snare, and two bloody drumsticks. I believe that this poster appeals to the pathos of the viewer. As portrayed in the picture, a person can obviously tell that the person hitting the snare drum is passionate about what they are doing. The lettering is faded to show that the character has been playing for quite some time. After perusing the poster, one can also see that the drumsticks are bloody. Noticing this detail ensures the viewer of the characters passion, because it shows that the character has been playing for so long that their hands have started to bleed. The viewer can also see a quote at the top of the poster that says, "Suffering is the soul of greatness." The viewer can now tell that a character in the movie will experience some form of hardship throughout the plot. And to tie it all in together, the color scheme of the poster is dark, therefore the viewer knows that the film is a dark film.
I think that some of the marketing ploys involved in the poster are purposefully misleading. While the two reviews given on the poster say, "Genius... a dazzling success," and "Magnificent," these are often words one associates with being happy. While the critics gave illustrious words that brighten the poster, the poster is still black and dreary. There are also some marketing ploys involved in the poster that I think are placed by accident. When a musician plays his or her instrument, they usually feel gratified that they are blessed with the talent to play an instrument. However, the poster ensues that playing an instrument is dull, hard work, and glum.
Griffin, it's cool you chose this one considering I know how musically talented you are. I agree with you completely, especially the part where the Poster say's, "magnificent". You say it perfect, when I think of that word I think of something happy and something that has lots of positive energy. But the movie is quite the opposite of that. Its a very intense movie yet actually quite sad. When you think of everything that happens to Andrew Neiman and Terrence Fletcher and how they lose their way, its quite sad. But I agree with you!
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