Structure Breakdown: La La Land

After Moonlight, the only movie we could look at next could be La La Land. When Director Damien Chazelle first pitched this idea around town, there wasn’t much excitement. The film initially started as a Sundance Film Festival short and later become the “almost Best Film” at that year’s Oscars. This movie is a lovely, lovely gem. But as a musical, it doesn’t easily fit into the tradition film structure. The exception which proves the rule shows you that with the right story, rules can be broken.

LOGLINE: Conveying the love and loneliness of life through the kind of kaleidoscopic daydream, LA LA LAND tells the story of an aspiring actress and a dedicated jazz musician who struggle to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts, as they discover the joy and pain of pursuing their dreams.

THE NORMAL WORLD (ACT I):

Who is the MAIN CHARACTER?

This can be tricky to figure out, as this story is a true “two-hander.” Still, there can only be one “Main Character.” We meet Mia first, and she has more screen time devoted to her story. While you could justifiably claim either as the main character, I would argue it is Mia.

What is the main character’s INITIAL WANT?

Mia wants to be a working actress.