Whiplash: Are We Rushing or Dragging to Miss The Point About Achievement Culture?

Whiplash (2014) R 1h 46m 5: Whiplash: Are We Rushing or Dragging to Miss The Point About Achievement Culture?

Episode Transcript  

Episode Page with Pictures

Episode Host:

Sarah Woolverton-Mohler

Co-Host:

Jennie Ziverk Carr

Screen Cares co-host, Sarah, leads listeners through a discussion about how watching the movie, Whiplash offers a cautionary tale about achievement culture and the price of success.

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. 

Many fields, like academia, athletics, and the arts promote a competitive atmosphere. Sarah discusses how she’s experienced a competitive atmosphere in the world of music and how seeing and discussing the film, Whiplash, 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/about/suzuki-method/

• Interested in diving deeper into the dark-side of pushing children to success? Check out this link for Race to Nowhere, a documentary film co-directed by Vicki Abeles and Jessica Congdon:  

https://beyondtheracetonowhere.org/race-to-nowhere/

• Charlie Parker is referenced many times in Whiplash. Learn more about this incredible musician:

https://charlieparkermusic.com

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/charlie-parker-about-charlie-parker/678/

• While this feels contrary to theme of this episode about the danger of striving for success at all costs, Whiplash received many awards and commendations. Here is a list:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_accolades_received_by_Whiplash

Behind the Scenes- 

One of the awards Sarah received. While proud of these accomplishments, Sarah wonders if there are better ways to foster a love of music excellence and enjoyment in young music students.

Sarah getting her first violin, and spending time with her paternal grandmother. The hats surely helped with the musical learning. 

Sarah, along with her friends and co-musicians in the Booker High School Tornadoes Marching Band in a public performance. 

Liam and Violet, after a holiday concert. There may have been rushing and dragging in the concert, but definitely many more smiles.

A cd capturing the fruit of the labor of many young musicians, including Sarah, in the 1998 All-State Band performances.