Backstage (2016) s01e21 Episode Script

- Previously - Miles! Miles, what can I do? - I'm sick.
- Are you going to be OK? I'm on a transplant list, so there's nothing to worry about.
It's a great idea, Denzel.
No one's ever done a music video for the open house.
Excuse me, Ms.
Helsweel, but why is this person filming our class? This young man is a film student.
He's the best in his program.
I saw these weird hiphop dancers in the quad.
It was probably the Streets.
They're just basic drama kids who dance in the parking lot after school.
Trust me, the Streets aren't worth your time.
Any chance you're looking for new members? All day, yeah Money on my mind all the time Gotta get that cake That cake, yeah Come on, girl! We feel an impact today (crashing) Hey! Vanessa, did you just break my side mirror? Maybe? My eyes are open but I cannot see And I'm up and walking Still feels like a dream Until our eyes adjust I guess We're only feeling in the darkness Oh ah oh We just need a spark to light up the dark I can feel you with me I can feel you with me We just need a spark to light up the dark I can feel you with me I can feel you with me We just need a spark I handpicked all the applicants based on their credentials, enthusiasm and availability.
Mostly availability.
Remind me why you don't direct your own music video.
Me? I couldn't decide between prime lenses and prime rib.
That's not true.
I know my lenses.
It's just, I'm not ready to I'm just not ready.
We just need to find a director who's just as talented as we are.
Good luck with that.
This is Keaton.
We're choosing from the best and brightest in the biz.
(Piano playing) So you're suggesting Scarlett should do ballet through the entire video? Next! Entirely animated? But what about all of Denzel's design work? Next.
So basically lasers? I love lasers.
(both): Next! So much for the best and the brightest.
There's someone out there that's perfect to direct this video.
We just haven't found them yet.
But if we don't find Scarlett, my starlet, trust me.
I have a plan.
I have no plan whatsoever.
That's exactly why we need a director.
(indistinct conversation) In here, it just feels like a normal day.
But it's not, because right now out there, Miles is in surgery.
And I know he's going to be OK, but what if (sigh) I need to keep my mind on the work.
Tough day, huh? Honestly.
I don't know what to do with myself.
Yeah, me neither.
I've checked my phone, like, 100 times already.
Miles's mom said she'd message me when he gets out.
- What's that? - Oh.
It's a get-well song.
Oh.
Do you want to show me what you've got? Sure.
"Jump in, buckle up, ride the rollercoaster "up and down.
Get your ticket here.
Ride the coaster into the ground.
" What, it's no good? Uh, it's just Well, we want Miles to feel better.
So maybe try lyrics that are a bit more optimistic.
I was just dumped by my girlfriend, and now my best friend is having a kidney transplant.
How optimistic can I be? Here, let me try something.
Hold your people close Hold your people tight Feel them in your bones, alright Hold your people close Every time they come back home You guys need some help? Bianca and I may not be on the best terms, but this thing with Miles, it's bigger than that.
I wasn't dancing; I was choreographing! So you were "choreographing" when you smacked the mirror off my car? I was gesturing.
Did you learn nothing from your injury? You can't push so hard.
I promise you, Ms.
Maria! I wasn't dancing! You can't really call what I was doing "dancing.
" Technically, I was bopping.
I'm sorry, Vanessa.
I'm not going to make the same mistake twice.
I'm going to have to talk to Principal Durani about shutting down your dance crew.
That is completely unfair! They have no formal dance training.
They're art students, film students, drama students - What does that even mean - IF you'll let me finish, they have a history of not playing by the rules.
Every member of the squad has been injured at some point.
Sloane broke her wrist only last year.
I guess that explains why she warmed up to me so quickly.
They do tricks without supervision.
They rehearse in dangerous spaces where personal property, like car mirrors, can get damaged.
That's because we have nowhere else to go.
"We"? Yes, we.
I'm their choreographer.
I mean, they copied my moves on the truck.
So technically Considering the potential risk, I have no choice.
Then make us an official Keaton dance club! Then we'd be entitled to rehearsal space inside the school, right? So you think you and your crew deserve to have some of the studio times from the primas Your squad not you Can perform in front of a panel of judges to determine whether or not they get studio space.
After school.
Uh, today.
Is that going to be a problem? Nope.
No problem.
Big problem! How am I supposed to choreograph an entire dance by the end of the day? Just because I'm Diamondmind's assistant doesn't mean I have access to all these big-time directors.
- Not a single one? - Denzel.
These directors have worked with Beyonc, the Biebs, Drake.
No offense, but My work is too niche.
I get it.
Whatever you need to tell yourself.
I just need to find someone who loves design, knows music and has a razor-sharp vision.
Is that too much to ask? (boy): Christopher Nolan is one of the best if not the best filmmakers of his generation.
- (girl): Yeah.
- Memento, The Prestige, Interstellar And don't even get me started on Inception.
Did you know he had Hans Zimmer compose the score without seeing the film first? (girl): No way.
He wanted the music to come from deep within Zimmer's mind.
How's that for a fourth-level dream? Ahhh I'm Denzel, and you are the answer to all my problems.
Let the sun pour down Let the rain shine bright It's a different world now And everything's alright Except everything's not alright.
Can you please stop crying so we can just get through this? You know Miles is in surgery right now, right? I'm trying not to think about it.
Well, you're doing a better job of that than me.
What's that supposed to mean? Nothing.
I admire your strength.
(crying): Stop it.
I see what you're doing.
Can we just get through this? He means something to all of us.
I'm a film director.
I can't direct your home video.
Music video.
Epic music video! Sorry, little man.
I got too much on my plate.
Speaking of which, I need to work on the score for my short film.
You'll change your mind when you hear Scarlett sing.
Scarlett! Fancy running into you here.
This is Austin, our director.
Why do I feel like I just got set up? - So what's your concept? - Actually, I'm not here to He'll figure that out after he hears the song.
You know, for inspiration? (click) (music building) Look in my eyes Do you like what you see? Tell me no lies Are you weak in the knees? It's so demanding No understanding But then a sleight of the hand I'm the original reb-rebel Give me that bass Give me that treble, give me that angel, give me that devil Put that breaker, hit the pedal Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh All the girls in the world could change it, all the girls in the world could change it All the girls in the world could change it That's when you hit 'em with that switch At the last second When they least expect it Ah, that's when you hit them with that switch Not gonna lie, that was awesome! We could have a one-shot through the whole school, - like Russian Ark.
- Me? Featured throughout the entire school? I could really get behind that.
Now, obviously, it won't really be a one-shot.
We'll hide the cuts and have the costume changes appear in a way that looks like magic.
Drawing that much more attention to my designs.
I love this idea.
Take it, it's yours.
- Is that the Da Bohème girl? - Alya? Yeah.
So what do you think? These are good.
Yes, they are.
Little man, I think you found your director.
Really? Yes! Our submission deadline is Friday.
Yeah, I'll get you the storyboards ASAP.
I'll leave the details up to you guys.
I have to get to class.
- There's one last thing.
- What's that? As a director, I'm going to need full control over the creative.
Other than production designs, of course.
We need a director with a razor-sharp vision.
Good.
Then here's my first creative decision: We need to get rid of Scarlett.
(male singer oohing melodically) Why would we want to be an official dance club? Because you get access to rehearsal space, just like other dance clubs.
What? Like your little primas? (chuckling) - Not cool.
- Seriously? Not cool? Sounds like a cover to me.
- For what? - I think you're scared.
Scared of what? Little girls in tutus? I think you're scared to try, 'cause you're worried you might not win.
I'm not scared of anything.
I'm scared of her.
Prove it.
Dance my choreography for Maria.
Maybe you'll get a rehearsal space that doesn't leave you with a broken wrist.
Fine.
Show us what you got.
Actually refused to do the second Aladdin, because they put him as the title actor in the first movie.
Why would you get rid of Scarlett? She's amazing! Correction: Her song is amazing! But if I want to direct, I need star power.
Her nickname is Scarlett the Starlet.
That's cute, but I need the Da Bohème girl.
Uh Alya? What's her name? Austin, please.
Listen.
I know this is your first time doing this, so let me be honest.
Your designs are top-notch.
They deserve to be seen by as many people as possible.
Only true star power will make that happen.
- I don't know.
- I was just on my way to call in a favor to get us cutting-edge camera package, but if you're choosing Scarlett over that - I get it.
- OK.
It's just, she's my friend.
Exactly.
Which is why you should be the one to fire her.
Yeah, everything's alright Yeah Everything's alright That was great.
Alya, try putting the breath after "let the rain shine bright," to join those first two phrases.
(cell dinging) Guys! And on the harmony, try hitting the third.
Totally kidding.
Miles's mom texted me.
He's out of the surgery.
(fingers snapping) Pssst! (Indistinct whispering) Hey, hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa! We can't get this without the music.
Sure we can.
You guys are doing great.
Nah, let's go back out to the parking lot, at least till we get the rehearsal space.
It's boiling outside today.
I so don't want to get sweaty before next period.
You're not even dancing.
What do you care? Sun damage! The UV levels are crazy today.
You might be our choreographer or whatever, but you're not our mother.
Relax.
We'll wear sunscreen.
Maria told Durani to shut you guys down.
Your only option is becoming an official club.
What? Because you hit her mirror with your crutch? - I'm sorry.
- I knew letting you dance with us was a mistake.
I'm not dancing, just choreographing.
So if we don't impress this panel of yours, we're done? Austin seems a little annoying, but seems smart.
Good choice, Denzel.
I'm not so sure about that.
What do you mean? Austin wants you off the video.
Ha! Very funny.
But you would never go along with that, right? But I mean, it will still be great exposure for your song.
Oh I guess we shouldn't.
We'll use another song.
Go ahead, use it.
Don't do me any favors.
- You're on the panel? - Of course.
I'm the dance captain.
Well, that's not a conflict of interest.
Please.
I'm a professional.
OK, guys, remember: Small things done in sync create big moments.
Tell a story with your dance and stay alive in the eyes.
Yeah, party people want a place to beat This a tramp, bow gracefully Who's facing me Watch me get it, watch me work it Watch me get it, watch me work it C'mon, c'mon Tell me who wanna test Get it in till there ain't nothing left, yes Watch me get it, watch me work it - Get it, get it - No pain, no gain y'all Do us no sleep, hell wake y'all Watch me get it, watch me work it Around these parts I'm Mr.
Perfect I'm the lord of the playground Came from the concrete I will never stay down Started out of work Now I got workers Execute clean, no stain from the dirt Take practice on surf Plus my purpose will put y'all at a surplus It's your time now Show 'em how you grind now Are you gonna stand up tall and take the beat lying down Watch me get it, watch me work it Watch me get it, watch me work it Party people want a place to beat This a tramp, bow gracefully Who's facing me? Watch me get it watch me work it Watch me get it, watch me working All right now (Vanessa clapping) (indistinct whispering) From my perspective I think you proved that you deserve studio time.
- Cool! - Cassandra? To be honest, I wasn't that impressed.
It's a no for me.
So much for being "professional.
" Your technique is lacking, that's for sure.
And your storytelling needs work.
Which is why you need studio time to improve.
(clapping) Cassandra and the primas will donate one hour of their studio time per week to your little crew.
See? Feels good to be official.
We'll see about that, Tiny Dancer.
Who are you calling "Tiny"? (some kids chuckling) Stay off that ankle, Vanessa, and away from any car mirrors.
Congratulations on your big win.
- Thanks - And on making a powerful new enemy.
Maybe we should wait.
No, it's OK.
His mom said he'd be waking up soon.
Yeah.
(indistinct PA message) Should we sing? (Alya sighing) Let the sun pour down Let the rain shine bright It's a different world now And everything's alright Yeah Everything's alright Yeah Everything's all Swimming deep in the sand Building castles of light It's a different world now And everything's alright Yeah Everything's alright Yeah Everything's alright You look good.
Liar.
(Alya sighing) - Hey I wanna get in on this.
(others laughing) - Stitches.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
Swimming deep in the sand Building castles of light It's a different world now And everything's alright Let the sun pour down Let the rain shine bright It's a different world now And everything's alright Yeah Everything's alright Yeah Everything's all Swim deep in the sand Build castles of light It's a different world now, everything's alright