1988
James Brown rises from a childhood of poverty and abuse to become a legendary soul musician through his relentless drive and musical innovation. His career is defined by his complex relationship with his lifelong friend and collaborator Bobby Byrd, as well as his demanding leadership style that alienates those closest to him. Despite achieving international fame and using his platform to influence social change, James struggles with personal demons, volatile relationships, and the isolation that comes with his success. The story culminates in a reflection on his enduring legacy, highlighting the man behind the music who transformed his pain into a powerful cultural force.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Get On Up follows James Brown’s rise from obscurity in Augusta through personal and professional trials to become the Godfather of Soul.
Open full beat sheetJames Brown is listed as Protagonist. A legendary, driven, and complex soul musician who rises from poverty to international fame. In the parsed data, James Brown is connected to 80 scenes, 73 dialogue lines, 81 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
80 scenes / 73 dialogue linesBobby Byrd is listed as Supporting. James Brown's lifelong friend, musical collaborator, and member of The Famous Flames. In the parsed data, Bobby Byrd is connected to 27 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
27 scenes / 19 dialogue linesBen Bart is listed as Supporting. President of Universal Attractions and James Brown's manager. In the parsed data, Ben Bart is connected to 9 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
9 scenes / 12 dialogue linesMaceo Parker is listed as Supporting. Saxophonist in James Brown's band. In the parsed data, Maceo Parker is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 93.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesJoe Brown is listed as Supporting. James Brown's father, a laborer who was often absent and abusive. In the parsed data, Joe Brown is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDede is listed as Supporting. James Brown's wife. In the parsed data, Dede is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 76.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPee Wee Ellis is listed as Supporting. Band leader and saxophonist in James Brown's band. In the parsed data, Pee Wee Ellis is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 78.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSusie Brown is listed as Supporting. James Brown's mother who abandoned him as a child. In the parsed data, Susie Brown is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 27.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTeddy Brown is listed as Supporting. James Brown's son. In the parsed data, Teddy Brown is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 93.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAunt Honey is listed as Supporting. James Brown's aunt who ran a brothel in Augusta. In the parsed data, Aunt Honey is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 48.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesVelma is listed as Supporting. James Brown's first wife and mother of his children.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA pickup truck drives through Augusta in 1988.
James BrownThe driver of the pickup truck speeds up to the rhythm of the music.
James BrownA woman smokes a cigarette in a bathroom stall.
The pickup truck screeches to a stop in a parking lot.
James BrownA seminar presenter discusses dental insurance while the truck is visible outside.
James Brown exits his truck in the parking lot.
James BrownJames Brown searches for people in his office and encounters Mavis.
James BrownJames Brown confronts the insurance seminar attendees about using his bathroom.
James BrownJames Brown leads police on a high-speed chase.
James BrownJames Brown drives while being pursued by police.
James BrownThe chase continues onto the interstate.
James BrownJames rams a police car.
James BrownPolice set up a roadblock.
James BrownJames smashes through the roadblock.
James BrownJames loses control of the truck.
James BrownPolice surround the truck.
James BrownJames surrenders.
James BrownYoung James participates in a Battle Royale.
James BrownLook Magazine cover featuring James Brown.
James BrownJames Brown's plane is under fire in Vietnam.
James BrownThe band and soldiers react to the attack.
James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Maceo ParkerJournalist interviews soldiers.
The plane begins to go down.
James BrownThe plane makes a hard landing.
James BrownJames confronts the USO liaison.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames takes the stage.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdYoung James plays with his mother.
James Brown, Susie BrownJames and his mother walk through the woods.
James Brown, Susie BrownJoe returns home and argues with Susie.
James Brown, Susie Brown, Joe BrownJoe and Susie are intimate while James watches.
James Brown, Susie Brown, Joe BrownJames discovers a lynched man.
James BrownBen Bart visits James Brown backstage.
James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Ben BartYoung James seeks shelter from the wind in the shack.
James BrownTime lapse of the night.
James attempts to fetch water.
James BrownJames gets a tomato from a produce seller.
James BrownJames discovers music on a dilapidated cabin.
James BrownTime lapse of leaves changing.
Joe returns home.
James Brown, Joe BrownFather and son make music, then Joe turns abusive.
James Brown, Joe BrownJames runs away from home.
James Brown, Joe BrownJames films a scene for a movie and talks to Bobby.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames steals a suit.
James BrownJames is caught by the police.
James BrownJames talks to Big Junior through the bars.
James BrownJames practices his moves in his cell.
James BrownJames is denied parole.
James Brown, Aunt HoneyJames fights in the reform school.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames and Bobby meet in the infirmary.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdEstablishing shot of the Byrd house.
Bobby tries to convince his mother to take James in.
Bobby ByrdJames has dinner with the Byrds.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdGrandpa Byrd gives James a suit.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdBobby catches James with Sarah.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdThe group sings in church.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdFlashback to Joe and James leaving.
James Brown, Joe BrownJoe and James arrive at Aunt Honey's.
James Brown, Joe Brown, Aunt HoneyJames meets Big Junior.
James Brown, Aunt HoneyBig Junior teaches James how to hustle.
James BrownJames dances for soldiers.
James BrownThe brothel is busy.
James Brown, Aunt HoneyJames and his band get haircuts and discuss their musical identity as a gospel group versus R&B.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames and his band watch Little Richard perform, then take the stage themselves, leading to a confrontation.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames and Little Richard discuss the music business and the price of success.
James BrownJames and Ben Bart discuss James's plan to book the Apollo Theater himself, leading to a tense confrontation about their business relationship.
James Brown, Ben BartJames and Ben arrive at the Apollo Theater to find a massive crowd waiting.
James Brown, Ben BartThe band sets up and prepares for the show.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdThe show begins and James performs to a wild crowd.
James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Susie Brown, Ben BartAfter the show, Bobby informs James that his mother is there to see him.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames tells Bobby he is getting married and discusses his purpose.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames Brown hosts a Christmas event at his home, handing out money to children while Dede assists.
James Brown, Dede, Teddy BrownJames confronts Dede about her attire at the Christmas event and strikes her.
James Brown, DedeJames feels shame after striking Dede and goes to help her.
James Brown, DedeThe James Brown revue relaxes by the pool.
James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee EllisA racist tourist complains about the band members at the pool.
Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee EllisJames and Bobby meet Ralph Bass from King Records.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames watches the pool area from his balcony.
James BrownPee Wee Ellis imitates James Brown for the band.
Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee EllisThe band records 'Please, Please, Please' while Syd Nathan expresses dissatisfaction.
James Brown, Bobby ByrdJames conducts a tense rehearsal and fines Bobby Byrd.
James Brown, Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee EllisIt's like I always say Bobby. You gotta know who you are. You got to know where you are in this world. Five minutes ago, those boys were the best band on the planet. Now they nothing. Now they a bunch of sidemen with their hearts beatin' fast. Maceo comin' in here talking about my taxes. All I've done for this country and they comin' after James Brown? How you gone keep everybody happy? Huh? And stay on top? You along for the ride while everything is groovy and now they gone kick me when I'm down? People either on the bus or they off it.
We know you owe the government back taxes. Your restaurant, radio stations, recording studios, labels, all different businesses, Unaccounted cash passing between them. It's a mess, Mr. Brown and if you want us to be a part of it, we gonna need our cash too. Right now.
Which brings us on to Dental Insurance. Generally speaking, when you receive care from a participating PDP dentist, your out-of-pocket expenses will typically be lower than if your were to accept care from a dentist outside the group.
We only done half of it. "Mary Don't You Weep" is an old gospel, man. You ain't heard that before? Everybody be doin' it.
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