The Characteristics of Andrew Neiman

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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS

This chapter aims to find out the answers of two problems which appeared in the problem formulation. First, the writer discusses the analysis of Andrew Neiman‟s character portrayed as seen in Whiplash movie. The writer divides the characters of Andrew Neiman into some parts of the character. Second, it is about the factors that change Andrew Neiman‟s motivation in his process to be a professional drummer as seen in Whiplash movie.

A. The Characteristics of Andrew Neiman

To understand the characteristics of Andrew Neiman, the theory from Murphy 1972 is applied. It is stated that, personal description, character as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation by others, reaction, direct comment, thought, and mannerism are the ways to know the characterization of a character. In this study, speech, past life, conversation by others, reaction, and mannerism are dominant to know the character and characterization of Andrew Neiman. Andrew Neiman is 19 years old. He is a first year student at Shaffer Conservatory of Music School. Andrew has a dream to be a professional drummer like Buddy Rich. Andrew admires Buddy Rich. He has collections of Buddy Rich such as posters and CDs. Buddy Rich is the best jazz drummer from New York. He was successful at drumming with some musicians and singers in the world. Andrew comes to Shaffer Conservatory of Music School because he wants to 22 learn with Mr. Fletcher. Terance Fletcher or Mr. Fletcher is the best teacher in that school. He is also known as the best conductor for jazz music. In this study, the writer finds Andrew is an amateur drummer, hard worker, ambitious, talented, emotional, and independent person. 1 An Amateur Drummer Andrew Neiman is an amateur drummer. It can be seen from his past life, reaction, speech, and conversation by others. Andrew has been playing the drums since he was young. It is shown in the minutes: 1:08:52 see appendix A1. In that scene, Andrew is watching a video after receiving a letter from his school. The video shows the young Andrew, who is play the drums while his father is taping his performance. It proves that Andrew shows the audiences his past life. He shows that he has been playing the drums since he was young. However, it does not mean that Andrew is an expert or master in play the drums. In the next scene, Andrew shows that he is an additional drummer. It is proved from the action or reaction when Andrew does practice with Nassau Band. In that scene, Andrew is playing the drums when the teacher asks Ryan Connelly to go back to his seat. The teacher thinks that Andrew is not good at drumming. The statement of the teacher tells the status of Andrew in Nassau Band as an additional drummer. The teacher: Ok, that‟s enough, back to the core drum please. Core drummer, let‟s go. 00:08:57, see appendix A2 Mr. Fletcher knows that Andrew is an amateur drummer. Andrew needs to learn and practice more. After Mr. Fletcher asks Andrew to join in Studio Band, he gives Andrew a chance to play the drums in the first practice. Andrew makes 23 the same mistake several times. It is shown in the command of Mr. Fletcher to the drummers. He asks the drummers to stop playing and then start playing over and over. He asks the students to do that several times. Mr. Fletcher‟s body shows that he focuses on Andrew. The gesture of Mr. Fletcher shows that he is watching Andrew. It proves that Mr. Fletcher gives an extra attention for a new player in his band. This scene tells the audience that Andrew is not good enough in playing drums. He keeps do mistake and Mr. Fletcher keeps watching him. It can be seen from Mr. Fletcher‟s action 00:24:06, see appendix A3. In the next scene, Andrew is playing on his own tempo instead Mr. Fletcher‟s tempo. Sometimes, Andrew is dragging and sometimes he is rushing. Andrew does not follow Mr. Fletcher‟s tempo in his first practice. Andrew is a first year student and he is not aware of his mistake. Mr. Fletcher gives comment to Andrew‟s performance. The comment on Mr. Fletcher tells the audience that Andrew ca nnot read the tempo. Mr. Fletcher‟s says: Mr. Fletcher: Not quite in my tempo. It‟s all good, no worries, here we go. Five, six, seven... Andrew begins to play the drums. Then, Mr. Fletcher gives command to stop playing You‟re rushing. Here we go Mr. Fletcher gives command to play the drums, but then he asks Andrew to stop playing Dragging. Just there. 00:25:09-00:25-28 Mr. Fletcher asks him whether he knows his mistakes. Mr. Fletcher raises his tone when speaks to Andrew. It means Mr. Fletcher starts to get angry with Andrew. At first, Andrew is not aware of his mistake. Then, he knows that he rushes in tempo. He does not follow Mr. Fletcher„s tempo. That is the reason of Mr. Fletcher hurls a chair at Andrew ‟s head, fortunately Andrew sees the chair is 24 coming at him and he ducks. It can be seen from the conversation between Mr. Fletcher and Andrew: Andrew: The tempo. Mr. Fletcher: Were you rushing or were you dragging. Andrew: I don‟t know. Mr. Fletcher asked Andrew to start counting. He asked Andrew to count in the few times. Then, Mr. Fletcher slaps on Andrew’s face Mr. Fletcher: Rushing or dragging? Andrew: Rushing. Mr. Fletcher: So you know the difference If you dare to sabotage my band I will fck you like a pg. 00:26:25-00:26:49 Andrew knows his mistake. Andrew can play the drums, but he cannot follow the tempo. That is the reason Andrew still be an additional drummer in Nassau and Studio Band. Nassau Band‟s teacher does not tell Andrew about his mistake. In contrast, Mr. Fletcher helps Andrew to know his mistake in the first practice in Studio Band. Mr. Fletcher proves that Andrew is an amateur drummer because he cannot read a tempo. In the first scene of the movie, Andrew is playing the drums when Mr. Fletcher comes into the room. Andrew is in his first year at the Shaffer Conservatory of Music School. He is a new student at that school. The statement of Andrew indicates that he needs to learn more in drumming. It can be seen from the following dialogue: Mr. Fletcher: What‟s your name? Andrew: Andrew Neiman, Sir. Mr. Fletcher: What year are you? Andrew: I‟m a first year. 00:02:22-00:02:27 Andrew is aware that Mr. Fletcher sees him play the drums. Andrew stops playing the drums and he starts playing them again when Mr. Fletcher asks him to show double time- swing technique. From Mr. Fletcher‟s command, Andrew PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 25 shows that he does not know how to play double time-swing technique. It is because Mr. Fletcher says the words “No. Double it. Double it.” and “faster….faster”. It can be seen from Mr. Fletcher‟s command: Mr. Fletcher: Double time-swing. Mr. Fletcher claps his hand in the tempo Mr. Fletcher: No. Double time. Double it. Andrew is following his instruction Mr. Fletcher: Faster.... Faster..... 00:03:16- 00:03:22 In the next scene, Andrew joins to Studio Band as a new additional drummer. He gets a chance to play the drums after the class takes a break. Andrew will play on Whiplash song. That is a new song for him. He seems to worries about that song. He is sitting and writing the number in a partitur. Before the class begins, Mr. Fletcher comes and asks some questions to Andrew. The questions are related to Andrew‟s family. It is stated in a conversation: Mr. Fletcher: Parents are musicians? Andrew: No Mr. Fletcher: What they do? Andrew: My dad‟s a writer. Mr. Fletcher: Oh, what‟s he written? Andrew: I guess he‟s more of a teacher. Really. 00:22:10-00:22:20 Mr. Fletcher: What about your mother? What does she do? Andrew: I don‟t know. She left when I was a baby. 00:22:24-00:22:28 The conversation between Andrew and Mr. Fletcher proves that Andrew as a real amateur drummer. From Andrew‟s family background there is no musician in his family. Jim Neiman, Andrew‟s father is a writer. He writes for education. Besides, Andrew‟s mother left when he was a baby. The evidences above prove Andrew as an amateur drummer. According to Murphy‟s theory, character can be seen through nine ways. In this case, Andrew‟s past life, reaction, speech and conversation prove that he is an amateur drummer. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 26 2 A Talented Person In this movie, Andrew is portrayed as a talented person. It can be seen from his reaction. He shows different reaction in some situations. Moreover, Andrew as a talented person can be seen from his speech. He is responsible for what he says through the action or reaction. Andrew‟s passion is playing the drums. In the scene, Andrew becomes a new drummer in Studio Band. Carl Tanner, the core drummer, asks him to set the drums into B-flat. Then, Andrew asks a pianist to give him B-flat. The other player, who does not have a talent, might ask it for several times. Even though Andrew can set the drum in a second time after he hears the tone of the piano. Andrew is an amateur drummer, but his ears used to hear the various notes or instruments. Andrew is shown that he is a talented person through his action: Andrew: Excuse me. Could I have a B-flat. Thank you. Andrew is setting the drum into B-flat. Andrew: Sorry, can you just one more time? 00:15:31-00:15:47 The Studio Band becomes a competitor in Overbrook Jazz Competition. This is the first competition for Andrew. This competition brings Andrew become a core player in Studio Band. It happens when Andrew accidently loses the chart. It makes Carl Tanner cannot play the drums on the stage. Carl Tanner has been the core drummer for a long time in Studio Band. Unfortunately, he cannot play the drums without seeing the chart of Whiplash song. He cannot memorize the chart of Whiplash song from Mr. Fletcher. When the show is about to begin, Mr. Fletcher calls Andrew and Carl Tanner into the backstage. Mr. Fletcher, Carl Tanner, and Andrew have a debate about who will play the drums on the stage. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 27 Carl Tanner: I can‟t Mr. Fletcher: You ca n‟t? Carl Tanner: I can‟t go on the stage. I don‟t know the charts... by heart. 00:38:24-00:38:28 Andrew is a new member of Studio Band. He can play the drums without seeing the chart. It is because Andrew has practiced hard to play in the right tempo and remember the chart of Whiplash song. Besides, Andrew has a talent in playing the drums. It makes him easier to remember the chart. Andrew tells Mr. Fletcher that he can play the drums for Whiplash song without the chart. Carl Tanner: I can‟t. Andrew: I can. Mr. Fletcher: You know “Whiplash” by heart? Andrew: Yes. Every measure. Every note. 00:38:46-00:38:57 In the last scene of the movie, Andrew proves that he is very talented. He leads the best musicians in New York to play Caravan song. At that time, Mr. Fletcher is speaking in front of the guests when Andrew starts playing his drum. Andrew commands all the players to play the Caravan song. He can lead the best musicians to play with him on Caravan song. People who have no talent in music cannot lead somebody to play the musical instrument. Andrew: I‟ll cue you in. Caravan. 1:28:30, see appendix A4. The evidences above prove some actions of Andrew that indicate as a talented person. It is also support by Andrew‟s speech. Based on Murphy‟s theory , Andrew‟s talented characteristic can be seen by looking Andrew‟s action and speech. 28 3 A Hard Worker Andrew is a hard worker. He shows it in different situations in the movie. In this case, Andrew‟s hard worker characteristic relates to play the drums. In the scene, Andrew feels sad after Mr. Fletcher mocks his family and slaps on his face because he cannot read the tempo in the first practice. Then, he goes back to his boarding house. He thinks about the accident in Studio Band for a while. After that, he takes his drum sticks and goes to the practice room 00:29:22, see appendix A5. He copies the chart of the Whiplash song for practicing in the room 00:29:28, see appendix A6. Then, he moves his bed, alarm, tooth brush, and anything that he needs are into the practicing room 00:29:41-00:29:42, see appendix A7. Andrew does that to make him easy in practicing. He does not need to go to his room when he is tired. He can sleep in practicing room because all he needs in the practicing room. The actions prove that Andrew is a hard worker. He shows his effort to make his dream becomes true. Andrew starts practicing hard for Whiplash song. Andrew‟s hand is injured because he forces himself to hit the drum 00:30:05, see appendix A8 . Andrew‟s face is full of sweat 00:30:44, see appendix A9. He is bandaging his hand and practicing more 00:30:09, see appendix A10. From the scene, it can be seen when Andrew changes the bandage on his hand several times. The injury and bandage on his hand, even sweat on his face means that Andrew is a hard worker. Andrew does the same thing in the new song which is Caravan song. Caravan song uses double time-swing technique. The double time-swing technique in drumming mean, Andrew should make the tempo faster. He should PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 29 hit the drum in double times. In the minutes: 00:50:37 see appendix A11, Andrew‟s hand is bleeding and he puts his hand into the cold water. Andrew‟s face is also full of sweat. This thing is almost same when Andrew practices on the Whiplash song before. He is working so hard until he gets injury on his hand. In this case, the blood and sweat could prove his dedication as a musician in playing the drums. From the evidences above, Andrew as a hard worker can be seen from two different situations. The situations describe Andrew‟s reaction to face the obstacles that come to him. It is proven by Murphy‟s theory on Andrew‟s action or reaction in this movie. 4 An Ambitious Person Andrew Neiman is an ambitious person. It can be seen through the conversation between Andrew and Mr. Fletcher. The characteristic of Andrew as an ambitious person can be seen also from his reaction. Andrew always has the conversation with Mr. Fletcher about his position in Studio Band. In this scene, Mr. Fletcher has just declared Andrew as a core drummer. Then, Mr. Fletcher invites Ryan Connelly to join in Studio Band as a new additional drummer. Andrew does not like Mr. Fletcher‟s idea. It is because he worries about his position that may be replaced with other students. In that scene, Andrew comes to Mr. Fletcher‟s room and they have a short conversation. Andrew: Hey hear, I can play that part. Mr. Fletcher: Now is not the time. Andrew: I can play. Mr. Fletcher: I swear to God. I said NOT NOW If you want the part? Earn it. 00:48:00-00:48:09 30 In the middle scene of the movie, Andrew should attend his second competition. The second competition is called The Dunellen Competition. He is late because there is a problem with the bus. Because of that, Andrew should go to the car rental‟s office and rent a car to go to the second competition. He arrives on the backstage when Mr. Fletcher decides Ryan Connelly to play the part in the second competition. It is stated from following dialogue: Mr. Fletcher: Conelly‟s playing the part. Andrew: Like fking hel he‟s playing my part. Mr. Fletcher: What the fck did you just say to me? Andrew: It‟s my part. Mr. Fletcher: It‟s my part, and I decide who to lend it to. 1:01:39-1:01:56 At the last practice before the competition, Mr. Fletcher declares that Andrew will play for The Dunellen Competition. Unfortunately, Andrew comes late to the competition. The decision from Mr. Fletcher makes Andrew feel upset. Then, Andrew shows that he does not agree with Mr. Fletcher. He thinks that he deserves to play in the second competition. The conversation between Mr. Fletcher and Andrew continue in the next scene. Andrew is bravely to resist Mr. Fletcher which indicates he is ambitious to the position. Andrew rejects anyone to play his part. However, Mr. Fletcher as a teacher does not want to lose in the debate with his student. Mr. Fletcher: Neiman, You lost the fking part. Andrew: No, I didn‟t, look you can‟t fking do this to me. Mr. Fletcher: Can‟t? Andrew: Yeah Mr. Fletcher: When did you become a fking expert on what I can or cannot do? You fking weepy-willow sht sck? Andrew: I earn that part. Mr. Fletcher: You never earned anything. God you‟re a self-righteous prick 1:02:01-1:02:12 31 In addition, Andrew says swear words in his conversation with Mr. Fletcher. He has never said those words to Mr. Fletcher before. Andrew proves that he really wants to play the drums in the second competition. He does not allow Ryan Connelly or everyone else to take his place. He really thinks that he deserves to play the drums. After the long debate with Mr. Fletcher, Andrew drives back to the car rental because he forgot to bring his drum sticks. After he gets the drum sticks, he drives back to the competition. Andrew calls his friend to make sure that the band has not been on the stage. Unfortunately, Andrew gets a car accident on his way back to the competition 1:03:35, see appendix A12. Andrew not care with the blood on his head. He keeps moving to the competition and force himself to play the drums with the blood on his head 1:05:12, see appendix A13. These scenes show the reaction of Andrew that is indicated as an ambitious person. He becomes brave to take risks. He has faced the entire obstacles that come to him. Andrew is an ambitious person which can be seen from his conversation and reaction. The conversation between Mr. Fletcher and Andrew can be seen in different situations. Then, Andrew‟s reaction or action can be seen from his effort to keep his position in Studio Band. 5 An Emotional Person Andrew Neiman is an emotional person. He gets angry in some scenes in the movie. In this case, Andrew as an emotional person can be seen through his reaction. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 32 Andrew plays harder for Caravan song which is using double time-swing technique. That technique makes Andrew should hit faster his drum. In the minutes: 00:50: 32 see appendix A14, Andrew hits his snare drum, a part of the drums set. He is saying bad words while he is playing it. It is proved by his speech. Andrew: Fck Fck Fcking piece of sht 00:50:53 Moreover, Andrew gets angry with Mr. Fletcher because he invites Ryan Connelly to join in Studio Band. He worries his position will be taken by Ryan Connelly. Then, Andrew expresses his emotion and his anger through playing drums. Emotion could be the expression through anger. As the writer mentioned before, Andrew is hitting his snare drum. It is because he shows his emotion. He shows his feeling through hitting the snare drum and playing hard the drums. Besides, the best way to express emotion is by drumming. In this scene, Andrew shows his emotion through the action or reaction. “When you pictures verb like, pushing, poking, punching, slapping, hitting, pinching, pounding, tearing, and beating you probably visualize people expressing anger.” Capacchione, 2006, p.116 In addition, Andrew attacks Mr. Fletcher on the stage 1:07:10, see appendix A15. It happens when Mr. Fletcher says that the career of Andrew as a drummer in Studio Band is done. Andrew feels that he does not get an achievement from Mr. Fletcher. Andrew comes to the competition with the blood on his face, then he plays the drums for Studio Band, instead Mr. Fletcher fires him. It makes Andrew feel angry and then attacks Mr. Fletcher on the stage. 33 In conclusion, the evidences above prove that Andrew is an emotional person. Based on Murphy ‟s theory, the emotion of Andrew can be seen through his action or reaction when he is playing drums on Caravan song. Moreover, the best way to show an emotion is by playing or drumming any percussion instrument. 6 An Independent Person In this movie, the writer finds that Andrew as an independent person can be seen from his manner. Andrew‟s statement in the first scene says that he is 19 years old. It is stated by Mr. Fletcher on his speech: Mr. Fletcher: We got a squeaker today people. Neiman, 19 years old. 00:16:57-00:17:00 Andrew only has a father. His mother left when he was a baby. However, he lives in a boarding house. He does not live together with his father in his house. It is shown in the minutes: 00:14:04 see appendix A16 when Andrew wakes up every day by using the alarm. There is no father who wakes him up in the morning. Andrew proves that he can live without depending on his father. In the middle of scene, Andrew comes to his house for dinner with his family 00:44:11, see appendix A17. There are uncle, aunt, cousins, and Andrew‟s father at that night. In that scene, Andrew tells about his school life to his family. However, Andrew does not get an appreciation from his family for his story. He does not get support from his uncle and aunt. Instead of his uncle and aunt seem to interest on the Andrew cousins‟ story. Even though, Andre w‟s aunt and uncle do not appreciate him, his father always supports him. After Andrew has dropped out from his school, he does not PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 34 look for another school to continue his school. Instead, he works in a cafe 1:11:03, see appendix A18. He works in a cafe to have his own money. He does not depend on his father‟s money. He also moves from his old boarding house to the new one. In the next scene, Andrew‟s father helps him in moving the stuffs to the new boarding house. Then, they are watching TV together. Andrew and Jim Neiman used to watch together and eat their popcorn. In the minutes: 1:11:46 see appendix A19 , Andrew‟s father says goodbye to Andrew. It is proved in Jim‟s speech. Jim Neiman: Hi, and I loaded your pantry with Gushers. Andrew: I saw that. 01:1145-01:11:56 Jim Neiman touches Andrew’s head. Then, he says goodbye to and left Andrew alone It shows that Andrew lives alone in his boarding house. Andrew and his father live in separate house. He can stay with his father but he chooses to stay alone in his boarding house. It proves that Andrew is an independent person. The evidences above show Andrew ‟s daily activity. According to Murphy‟s theory, Andrew‟s independent characteristic can be seen from Andrew‟s manner. In this case, the director describes the characteristic of Andrew through his daily life after Andrew has kicked out from Shaffer Conservatory of Music School.

B. Andrew Neiman’s Motivating Factors