1998
Eleven-year-old William Miller, skipped two grades by his overprotective mother, finds solace in rock music and, mentored by Lester Bangs, lands an assignment to write about the band Stillwater for Rolling Stone, befriending Penny Lane. As William tours with Stillwater, he witnesses the band's internal conflicts and struggles to maintain journalistic objectivity while becoming deeply embedded in their chaotic world. Tensions escalate within the band, leading to Penny's departure and a near-fatal plane crash during which the members confess their deepest secrets. After his initial article is dismissed, a revised version of William's story is published, bringing him professional success and a deeper understanding of himself and the music he loves.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Eleven-year-old William embarks on a rock-and-roll odyssey as a fledgling journalist for Creem magazine, guided by the legendary Lester Bangs.
Open full beat sheetWilliam Miller is listed as Protagonist / Rock Journalist. A young, precocious, and observant teenager who becomes a rock journalist. In the parsed data, William Miller is connected to 49 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
49 scenes / 10 dialogue linesRussell Hammond is listed as Stillwater Guitarist. The charismatic, moody, and talented lead guitarist of the band Stillwater. In the parsed data, Russell Hammond is connected to 24 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
24 scenes / 9 dialogue linesPenny Lane is listed as Band Aid. A luminous and influential Band Aid who leads a group of girls following rock bands. In the parsed data, Penny Lane is connected to 22 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
22 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJeff Bebe is listed as Stillwater Lead Singer. The insecure and ambitious lead singer of Stillwater. In the parsed data, Jeff Bebe is connected to 17 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
17 scenes / 3 dialogue linesDick Roswell is listed as Stillwater Manager. The dedicated and professional road manager for Stillwater. In the parsed data, Dick Roswell is connected to 16 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
16 scenes / 3 dialogue linesElaine Miller is listed as William's Mother. A protective, intellectual, and strict teacher who is deeply skeptical of rock culture. In the parsed data, Elaine Miller is connected to 10 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
10 scenes / 5 dialogue linesPolexia Aphrodisia is listed as Band Aid. A voluptuous and emotional Band Aid from Riverside. In the parsed data, Polexia Aphrodisia is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 18.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDennis Hope is listed as Music Manager. A sharp, business-minded manager who attempts to take over Stillwater's career. In the parsed data, Dennis Hope is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 37.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAnita Miller is listed as William's Sister. William's older sister who rebels against their mother and leaves home. In the parsed data, Anita Miller is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSapphire is listed as Band Aid. A tall, experienced Band Aid with a Texan accent. In the parsed data, Sapphire is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 11.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLester Bangs is listed as Mentor / Rock Critic. A cynical, brilliant, and influential rock critic who mentors William. In the parsed data, Lester Bangs is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesEstrella Starr is listed as Band Aid. A sophisticated and unruly Band Aid. In the parsed data, Estrella Starr is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesElaine Miller and her son William walk through a shopping center during the Christmas season, where Elaine confronts a workman about the use of the word 'Xmas'.
Elaine Miller, William MillerElaine and William discuss history and politics while she cooks. Anita arrives home.
Elaine Miller, William Miller, Anita MillerElaine confronts Anita about her behavior, her boyfriend Darryl, and a hidden album.
Elaine Miller, Anita Miller, William MillerWilliam is bullied by Tim Tobin and other students about his age and lack of puberty.
William MillerElaine reveals to William that she skipped him two grades, making him eleven years old.
Elaine Miller, William Miller, Anita MillerAnita leaves home with her boyfriend Darryl.
Anita Miller, William Miller, Elaine MillerWilliam discovers the record collection Anita left for him.
William MillerWilliam meets Lester Bangs outside a radio station.
William Miller, Lester BangsLester Bangs gives William advice on being a rock journalist and assigns him a story.
William Miller, Lester BangsElaine drops William off at the concert venue.
Elaine Miller, William MillerWilliam tries to get backstage and meets Penny Lane and the Band Aids.
William Miller, Penny Lane, Sapphire, Polexia Aphrodisia, Estrella StarrWilliam attempts to interview Stillwater backstage, but is initially rejected by Dick and Jeff. He eventually wins them over by showing genuine knowledge of their music, and they allow him to join them.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick RoswellThe band meets Red Dog, a roadie for the Allman Brothers, and then proceeds to their dressing room.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick RoswellWilliam interviews Russell and Jeff in the dressing room before the show.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick RoswellWilliam meets Penny Lane on the backstage steps and they bond.
William Miller, Penny LaneWilliam attempts to convince his mother to let him go on tour with a rock band.
William Miller, Elaine Miller, Anita Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Lester BangsElaine finally relents and gives William permission to go on tour with strict conditions.
William Miller, Elaine MillerWilliam joins the Stillwater tour bus and feels out of place.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Polexia AphrodisiaThe band arrives at the hotel and William tries to conduct interviews.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, SapphireStillwater gives a chaotic radio interview.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Polexia AphrodisiaRussell is electrocuted on stage during a concert.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick RoswellWilliam and the band travel on the bus; William takes a photo of Penny and they discuss their future and the band's problems.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff BebeWilliam attempts to interview Silent Ed, but the interview is unsuccessful.
William MillerWilliam observes Jeff Bebe using cocaine in the bathroom.
William Miller, Jeff BebeWilliam speaks to his mother on the phone while the concert happens in the background.
William Miller, Elaine MillerTensions rise in the dressing room over a band t-shirt design that highlights Russell over the rest of the band.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick RoswellRussell encounters his father.
Russell HammondRussell and William walk outside; Russell expresses a desire for authenticity.
William Miller, Russell HammondRussell attends a party at a fan's house, takes acid, and jumps off the roof into a pool.
William Miller, Russell HammondDick retrieves Russell from the party; Russell expresses paranoia about William.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Dick RoswellThe band sings 'Tiny Dancer' together on the bus.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff BebeWilliam talks to Lester Bangs about his struggle to get the interview.
William Miller, Lester Bangs, Polexia AphrodisiaWilliam has a sexual encounter with the Band Aids.
William Miller, Penny Lane, Sapphire, Polexia Aphrodisia, Estrella StarrWilliam receives a call from his editor, Ben Fong-Torres.
William Miller, Sapphire, Polexia AphrodisiaWilliam speaks to his mother while Russell interrupts and talks to her.
William Miller, Elaine Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny LaneWilliam interviews Russell while Dick interrupts to announce a meeting with a new manager, Dennis Hope.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Dennis HopeDennis Hope pitches his management services to Stillwater.
Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Dennis HopeThe band travels on a new plane provided by Dennis Hope.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Dennis HopeWilliam searches for Russell and encounters a roadie poker game.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Dick RoswellThe band celebrates Penny Lane's birthday, which is actually a farewell.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Dick Roswell, Dennis HopeWilliam and Penny discuss the band's betrayal and her future.
William Miller, Penny LaneThe band travels to New York.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff BebeThe band celebrates their Rolling Stone cover story.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Penny Lane, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Dennis HopeWilliam finds Penny Lane overdosed and tries to save her.
William Miller, Penny LaneWilliam helps a tired and irritable Penny Lane at the airport ticket counter.
William Miller, Penny LanePenny shares her backstory with William before leaving.
William Miller, Penny LanePenny settles into her seat and waves to William through the window.
William Miller, Penny LaneWilliam runs alongside the plane as it taxis.
William Miller, Penny LanePenny mouths a goodbye to William.
William Miller, Penny LaneThe band faces a terrifying electrical storm during a flight.
William Miller, Russell Hammond, Jeff Bebe, Dick Roswell, Dennis HopeWilliam submits his article to the editors.
William MillerWhen I was 14, my Mom and her boyfriend took me to a Rolling Stones concert - and I freaked out and I rushed up to the front of the stage and then a thousand people had the same idea at the same time and I was getting crushed.
No more than four days and I want a phone number for where you are every minute and I want you to call me twice a day and you'd better not miss one test - and no drugs.
It burns. It feels like a dose of lead shooting through your body... and then you see God, and he says, "How bad do you want to be legendary?" And god damnit. I let go.
That groupie? She was a Band-Aid. All she did was love your band. And you all -- you used her, all of you.
The record company has sent a big-time manager here to try and talk you into replacing me.
You've got to take what you can, when you can, while you can. And you've got to do it now.
I really love your band. I think the song "Fever Dog" is a big step forward for you guys.
Why the fuck do you wait until an interview in Arizona to say something nice about me?
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