DP/30: Whiplash, J.K. Simmons

You know him, you love him, you can't remember his name. But that is all changing for J.K. Simmons this year, as he is a leading contender for Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash, the new film from first-timer Damien Chazelle ( • DP/30 @ TIFF '14: Dami... ). Meet the man you know so well... but probably don't know at all. From the theater to singing telegrams to Whiplash.
Shot in Los Angeles, October 2014
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[@TheReal7Bit]

He was so extraordinary in Whiplash that he really doesn't have any competition for the best supporting actor oscar race. This performance was one of the best displays of acting I've ever seen.

[@aphexlane]

Agreed!

[@JCMELKOR]

that Teller bro surprised me aswell, simple script but super intense I've been recommending this movie to everyone

[@jazzx251]

"supporting actor" is a bullshit category. You have Judi Dench winning with a 5 minute cameo - and then this guy hopefully winning for arguably the strongest role in the whole film.

[@joehughey3213]

he was great in Oz as well. This performance is an excellent follow-up to that one

[@maryjoencarnado1821]

:-) knowing what jkkkj/@@@@@@>

[@SamKim1125]

J.K. Simmons's performance in "Whiplash" was jaw-dropping. I would be enraged if he doesn't end up winning best supporting actor in the Oscars.

[@MattRyanBurrows]

Yeah, you could say J.K was meant for this role. I really connected with him, and idk if another actor could've done it as well

[@partyman8848]

He did

[@bobbypendragon7375]

He fucking terrified me. Brilliant job.

[@carpediem9543]

He was remarkable in Oz.

[@aj2isotadxing]

The best thing about dp/30 is you let the guest talk without Interrupting

[@Snarethedrummer]

One very important question that wasn't asked: rushing or dragging?

[@shawnhilliard]

***** J.K. Simmons knew that, but Miles Teller didn't and that's just as bad lol.

[@Snarethedrummer]

Shawn Hilliard Possibly worse! *throws chair*

[@jackofblades2006]

SO YOU DO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

[@ytubeanon]

His intensity in Whiplash reminded me of Hugh Laurie as House.

[@seanmurphy7733]

+Sam Tan I immediately connected the dots to R. Lee Ermey from Full Metal Jacket. The same intense power, fabulous witty dialogue, and jaw droppingly intimidating, but you can't turn away. I lost myself in the film. Amazing!

[@AdamG1983]

House is more snarky, Terrance Fletcher would fuck him like a pig.

[@MultiplexShow]

I've been such a fan of Simmons for so long, it's GREAT to see him get such a dynamic role in Whiplash, especially because the film is great too! Thanks for this interview, David.

[@siphillis]

I love how he's absolutely nothing like his character. Very warm, open, and appreciative.

[@JoshuaLoftis]

cannot wait to see the film, and Simmon's looks fantastic in it.

[@p.g.curtwright7763]

I love that he can do this -- and still be the voice of an M&M....

[@Tomszirnis2]

This man is a national treasure

[@sweetlows1]

He is such a nice guy! and between Oz, burn after reading, I love you man, spiderman, korra, and whiplash i didnt realize he wasn't considered a "big name" actor, he's just consistently great. Nice to see he gets more of a spotlight, ya know? (that seems to be his filler word)

[@tommytomted44]

*I was on the SAG nominating committee this year and got a Whiplash screener. A terrific film! I sure checked JK's box for best supporting actor. **_The story has the most satisfying ending I've seen in years. I have watched the last 15 minutes 9 times._*

[@MatthewGeoffino]

Thank you!

[@ObiesieMaduegbuna]

I love DP/30. interviews are so great and so inspiring

[@seancollins6524]

Fantastic movie 🎥 great Actor

[@sineadsmithh]

He seems like a great guy. It's weird watching this hours after watching the movie haha

[@pap4456]

One of our truly great actors! I've been a long-time J.K. fan!

[@slowboy9565]

great interview!

[@glo1761]

JP handled one of the most unique characters I've seen in ages...not the same ole same bad guy...good guy? with such class. Every physical movement overt or nuanced...bc there where nuanced moments kept my eyes glued oh him...Wow what acting chops! .We need more...JP Simmons....

[@eviola11]

Had a great part in Up In the Air too!

[@StarCrusher.]

I love this guy, thanks for uploading.

[@gourmetghost]

i love his voice so much

[@RagdollRalph]

He seems like a really honest, down to earth person, great interview :)

[@janetbeilinson3277]

Totalmente enamorada de este hombre!!! Lo amooo...

[@Jacob011]

He has a great and strange personality - somehow, in Whiplash, he managed to be a badass and sort of likeable at the same time.

[@elheroedeperu]

Strange? He was only acting dude

[@PsychedelicTragedy]

Tenzin better win the Oscar. Whiplash was by far my favorite movie of the year. =D

[@luvseeed]

After watching "Whiplash" I am really surprised to find out that he's really nice! He was just so convincing that I couldn't imagine him to be such a nice guy even in the real life haha :D He should get ten Oscars for this role because one isn't enough!

[@obiwashere]

he deserves every bit of that oscar he's going to get

[@k0walsk]

I love these interviews. Time is taken to go in-depth. But why those dated graphics at the start of the videos? Is it a deliberate thing or..?

[@chrongaming5206]

I'll remember his name now.

[@slimnics]

masterpiece.

[@Connorheea]

Tenzin!

[@sjmorreale26]

I already like J. K. and was a fan but when he became an intimate part of the avatar universe he became my hero.

[@BigBadassR]

I would never watch this kind of movie, except I saw Weird Al do a Whiplash spoof with this guy. The guy was so intense, now I totally have to see this movie.

[@metronum]

good to have Vern around

[@smokeyiswise]

I like him good actor

[@projectmoon13]

To me this was a horror film. My mothers maiden name is Neiman. I was almost killed by 2 drunk drivers. I’m a drummer. My last drum teacher was trained by Buddy Rich. Miles teller also starred in the movie bleed for this, the Vinny Pazienza story. I met Vinny Pazienza through a mutual friend, and I turned out to be an inspiration to him, because I am actually the greatest drummer that ever walked the planet. He knew that. He also told me what an inspiration I was to him because of going through the two car accidents and living and still be in the worlds greatest drummer. When the car got hit by the truck, I had to shut it off . It caused my PTSD to flare up. I made it through the whole movie, and the only part I didn’t like was one Fletcher was berating him on stage telling him he was gonna gouges eyes out. I thought he could’ve said something a little different. It made the scene really awkward, though with Fletcher, walking around the stage, staring at him playing the drums. I thought he was going to kill him at one point.

[@benrosn8154]

Oz is the incredible gem that nobody knows about and he is the star

[@TotemDaim]

How many times did he say "you know"? Haha, gotta love J. K. Simmons. He's a great actor and in Whiplash he simply killed it.

[@squatch545]

A superb performance. JK really had me hating his character's guts. BTW, JK Simmons turned 60 on January 9th.

[@JDsgreatz28]

i dont care that he's out of character now. i am still terrified of the farmer insurance guy like crazy!!! he did an incredible job. i didnt think i was even going to care to see this movie but im sure glad i did. OUTSTANDING FLICK!!!

[@Eliguitar1]

looks like a very intense movie...hope the film lives up to the trailer! JK kicked ass in Oz!

[@Ipernova]

A great guy to talk to. And he's HOT.

[@arthurvin2937]

He played sooo good so that I'm afraid of him even in real life. Scares shit out of me just watching this interview. There's no Simmons, there's Fletcher.

[@teacheralberto873]

He deserves that Oscar ....... am I crazy but whiplash (which is great)reminded me a little bit about Dead poet society

[@probusexcogitatoris736]

I think the movie Whiplash is a brilliant metaphor for USA as whole (and to some extent the whole western world). You have this elite that is looking for a select very few to welcome into their entitles society while the large majority is left to struggle in order to make ends meet. I mean, people say this movie is about the struggle for excellence. I see that as a back drop to the real issue. You only have one shot, and unless you are ready to give a flawless performance you are out. Do you think they ones who gives you the thumbs up or down have gone through the same shit? Of course not. Just like the old emperors of Rome, who decided who would live or die, never had to deal with all that shit. That final show in the movie where Fletcher says that the music industry can either make you or break you. Do you think the people in charge are all the best musicians out there? Of course not. They are entitled music executives. Good, if they have any music background at all. So, what does all this have to do with this movie? Well, it shows how the majority are left to fight each other instead of the entitled elite who are actually preventing them from flourishing. This is exactly what happens in USA today. The rich get richer without any real effort, while the middle class and the poor are forced to compete and fight with each others for leftovers. USA is not a meritocracy. Merits are only important for commoners. The rich don't need to merits in order to succeed. Just as when you have succeeded your merits really don't matter anymore. There is no objective way to measure merits or performances. It's the elite who decides what is to be considered good or bad merits.... and the middle class, as the good slaves they are, play along and try so hard to please the elite. That's the whole point. You can never truly succeed if you play by the rules. The rules are made in order to prevent you from succeeding. What a sad sad way of living your life. Look at the few people who have actually managed to succeed despite not being born rich. They break all the rules. They invent new things. They don't compete with their peers for leftovers. No, they make their own rules. In a sense the drummer (I forget his name) is a symbol, not of excellence, but slavery. A drummer who's trying so hard, not to follow his own path or become successful in his own terms but, to please others. That's why the ending is so important. In the end he took charge and just did not care about the rules anymore. That's when he succeeded. That's the lesson we all should learn from this movie. You can never succeed if you follow the rules.

[@d0nnakithh608]

Probus Excogitatoris I think what could solve this problem is for people to get educated and motivated and I think this movie does an excellent job at this after I saw this movie I was inspired to do something greater, and not let anybody tell me I can't

[@boxtears]

Did anyone else come here just to make sure he was still human?

[@shanilaseemi6237]

He was saying he is sitting in mark

[@JohnzyZombee]

This interview wasn't quite my tempo.

[@DaveNoodles]

That's a lot of "you know". You know?

[@DaveNoodles]

Viktor Grabovski Sorry. You know...

[@DaveNoodles]

Viktor Grabovski Ha ha... Cool. I have a hard time not noticing and sometimes it can be annoying.

[@steveschroth8847]

justin reitman?

[@DanLoFat]

The interviewer was rushing a bit (I CAN tell the difference!)

[@quiricaquirica3243]

Per favore qualcuno può tradurre in italiano?

[@HobzyMcRuse]

Loved Whiplash. "Not my kind of tempo..."

[@mainsmain]

He basicaly was modern J Jonah Jameson

[@rocknrollrocks1]

wow listen to this guy then listen to neil peart sounds a lot the same

[@bryanmoorehead2189]

So true!

[@JamDaaMan]

At the start I though it was Seth Rogen.

[@vondargo14]

OZ

[@xad836]

Best voice ever. Second place being Patrick Stewart. ;)

[@shanilaseemi6237]

If that marroon will fail that marroon force that that girl to rake divorce from moiz this is happening lot

[@shanilaseemi6237]

You will killed by other p now stopped what thus bald guy doing