1. What was Jimmy’s gift and what was he willing/required to do in order to allow/make this project take flight?
Jimmy’s gift was his ability to manage a band as well as the ability to find new recruits for his band. He uses his parent’s house to scout for talent as well as develop talent. A greater part of the movie drama will entail Jimmy making endless attempts to source new recruits to suit his band (R&B/soul). However, it is not make expressly clear the reasons as to why Jimmy seeks to begin the band. It is not also convincing that it is his real passion.
2. Address the following issues:
a) The blonde back-up singer:
The blonde backup singer Imelda Quirke is an excellent singer. This is mainly because she has a wonderful voice. However, she contributes to the failure of the band by being involved in the fighting and quarrels within the band. She even has an affair with Johnny Murphy which leads to conflict among the other back up singers.
b) The musician as a personality type
Musicians as a personality type that is passionate about music and performing. However, as a musician becomes famous his or her ego starts to get into the way of success. In the end, musicians end up crafting their own demise. Deco’s personality clearly shows this.
c) Motivation to be a performer
The band clearly shows its motivation to be a performer as band members seek to find excellent members who are also passionate about performing and becoming a musician.
d) Dedication & loyalty to group
The band is very loyal to each other this is mainly because as the band collectively engages in the casual ways, no big obstacles and problems are noted at first. The group is even made up a medical student, a couple, and an old veteran musician. However, due to issues that arise slowly the dedication in the band slowly dwindles. One of the film’s biggest moments comes is revealed when one drummer, Mickah Wallace quits.
3. Discuss the internal pull of optimism vs. pessimism in an artist.
Optimism is present in the field as Jimmy tries to come up with one of the best bands in Dublin. He is optimistic that he can find the right people to make up a good band. Pessimism vs. optimism is present in the film as many subplots suddenly pop up and is promptly abandoned including the members attempting to earn a livelihood against following the musical pipes of dream goals and romances among the band.
4. The comment, “Let’s keep things on a professional level.”
This comment implies that the band needs to become professional in what they endeavor to achieve. In the beginning Jimmy seems to be leading the band to a lucrative contract which he is able to get. However, due to unprofessionalism in the band he walks away from it after landing the record deal. This is mainly because during the last show that the band plays it is evident that they cannot stand each other. This ends up with the band fighting and it breaks up when it was on the verge of success.
5. Interpersonal communication between band members and Jimmy in the beginning of the movie and then at the end of the movie.
At the start of the movie interpersonal communication between band members and Jimmy is healthy since they both share the same goals to form one of the hardest working bands in Dublin. The band works together in an effort to find space to rehearse as well as equipment to play. However, towards the end interpersonal communication among the members is poor since cracks start to emerge among the band members. For example, at the end of the movie Deco and the drummer are involved in a fist fight due to conflicting egos. This is mainly because the band mate’s egos got in the way of the bands goals.
6. What forces pulled at the band and its members both artistically and personally?
The urge to be the hardest working band in Dublin pulled the band together at the beginning. All band members were passionate about music. On the other hand, Jimmy was a motivating factor for the band.
7. The more successful they became, what happened?
The more successful the band became egos start getting in the way. One of the egos that led to the demise of the band is Deco’s who is the lead singer of the band. He believes that he is bigger than the band and he even refuses the backup singers a chance to sing a song on their own. In addition, all the backup singers keep fighting over Johnny Murphy since they have all been with him.
8. There is mention of two record deals in this movie – Name and discuss the outcome of both of them
The band did not benefit from both record deals. Jimmy landed one of the deals but left the band before he could get the band to sign the record deal.
