Lacan Theory

Lacan said when you are born, you see yourself as a baby in the mirror and see a perfect version of yourself. From that point in your life onwards you are constantly striving to become or live up to that flawless reflection of yourself. This creates lacks within your life, which are simply put things that you do not have or cannot obtain and this infests a hunger or strive to motivates you as a person. This theory can be applied to today's society, such as when a new version of a popular phone gets released, and everybody else obtains it but you don't, so a hole is created in your life and you are trying to fill that hole. This example also shows how superficial our desires can be, as you don't genuinely need the latest version, but we're pressured by our society to be up to date and consumed by technology.

In film, Lacan's theory is often used especially when relating to the subject of obsession and perfection. The films actors as generally shown as consumed by their desires, good or bad, trapped in an isolated frame of mind and this can be picked up on by the director of photography who can choose to show this visually to enhance the film.



Whiplash is a 2014 music drama directed by Damien Chazelle. It focuses on a drummer, Andrew who is an aspiring Jazz dummer. He has dreams of becoming the greatest drummer of all time, and looks up to the greats such as Buddy Rich. However, he has trouble achieving this and multiple things get in his way, such as his new girlfriend, his family's lack of support, and most of all his new teacher Terence. Terence observed Andrew and invited him to the top orchestra band of the school and Andrew feels like this might be his pathway to his dream of greatness. However, Terence completely destroys Andrew pushing him too hard and even abusing him mentally through his 'push people to the limits' approach to teachers. However, in the end Andrew's motivation and determination to fill his 'lack of greatness' prevails and the film ends on a very powerful note with Andrew proving his greatness to Terence in front of a packed audience.



In this scene from Whiplash, Andrew and two other drummers are battling to prove to Fletcher that their double time playing is sufficient. They are all competing for a part in the band, and this lack of a secure spot is what is driving all three drummers. There are close up shots of the three with sweat dripping from their faces and hair. The shots of them drumming are handheld giving them a natural shake which adds to the manic energy of the scene, portraying their almost animalistic hunger for the spot. Fletcher is show with harsh lighting that casts shadows on his face. This makes him look menacing and like his is the dominant one in the situation and he is the person that is driving the other's drive and desire to the max. As the scene progresses, the camera work gets more frantic and shaky as it tracks Fletcher around the drum kit, hitting a cow bell, throwing a drum across the room and doing other things to distract Andrew.