1984
Prince, a gifted but troubled musician, navigates a volatile home life and a rivalry with Morris Day while struggling with his bandmates and a tumultuous relationship with singer Vanity. His controlling behavior alienates his band, mirroring his parents' abusive dynamic, until a violent confrontation with Vanity and the discovery of his father's suicide attempt and hidden music lead to a profound realization. Prince performs a heartfelt set at the club, incorporating his father's music into a new song, which reconciles him with his band and wins back Vanity. He embraces his artistic vision, finding peace with his past and performing with newfound confidence and connection to his music and loved ones.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Prince’s rise as a musical star is set against his tumultuous personal life and romance with Vanity.
Open full beat sheetPrince is listed as Musician. Talented, brooding, and intense musician struggling with his family life and career. In the parsed data, Prince is connected to 84 scenes, 76 dialogue lines, 83 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
84 scenes / 76 dialogue linesVanity is listed as Singer/Dancer. Beautiful, ambitious, and vulnerable newcomer to the city. In the parsed data, Vanity is connected to 60 scenes, 97 dialogue lines, 101 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
60 scenes / 97 dialogue linesMorris Day is listed as Musician/Bandleader. Charismatic, arrogant, and manipulative leader of The Time. In the parsed data, Morris Day is connected to 34 scenes, 88 dialogue lines, 89 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
34 scenes / 88 dialogue linesJerome is listed as Valet/Chauffeur. Morris's loyal, smooth-talking sidekick and shadow. In the parsed data, Jerome is connected to 30 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
30 scenes / 29 dialogue linesBilly Sparks is listed as Club Manager. Fast-talking, opportunistic manager of the club. In the parsed data, Billy Sparks is connected to 15 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 73.
15 scenes / 15 dialogue linesPrince's Mother is listed as Prince's Mother. Faded beauty struggling with alcoholism and a volatile marriage. In the parsed data, Prince's Mother is connected to 10 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
10 scenes / 10 dialogue linesPrince's Father is listed as Prince's Father. Frustrated, abusive, and failed musician. In the parsed data, Prince's Father is connected to 10 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
10 scenes / 9 dialogue linesJill is listed as Waitress. Young, naive waitress at the club with a crush on Prince. In the parsed data, Jill is connected to 9 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
9 scenes / 17 dialogue linesWendy is listed as Musician. Member of Prince's band, talented and outspoken. In the parsed data, Wendy is connected to 8 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 68.
8 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLisa is listed as Musician. Member of Prince's band, talented and creative. In the parsed data, Lisa is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 68.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesChick is listed as Bouncer. Large, imposing bouncer at the club. In the parsed data, Chick is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesPrince performs on stage at the club while the crowd dances.
PrinceVanity arrives in a taxi, pays the driver, and runs away.
VanityMorris Day prepares himself in the shower.
Morris DayPrince finishes his makeup and leaves his home through a window.
PrinceVanity interacts with a businessman near a police car.
VanityMorris gets dressed in his bedroom.
Morris DayPrince arrives at the club on his motorcycle.
PrinceVanity exits a car and heads to an alley.
VanityMorris and Jerome depart for the club.
Morris Day, JeromePrince and his band prepare to go on stage.
Prince, Wendy, LisaVanity checks into a rundown motel room.
VanityVanity views the club from her motel window.
VanityVanity leaves her motel room.
VanityMorris and Jerome arrive at the club.
Morris Day, JeromePrince performs while Morris and his band watch.
Prince, Morris Day, JeromeVanity tries to enter the club.
Vanity, ChickVanity encounters Jill.
Vanity, JillMorris performs and Prince leaves.
Prince, Vanity, Morris Day, JillVanity tries to catch Prince as he leaves.
Prince, VanityPrince arrives home to hear his parents fighting.
Prince, Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherPrince intervenes in his parents' fight.
Prince, Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherPrince retreats to his basement bedroom.
PrincePrince and Jill talk at the club.
Prince, JillMorris directs his band and dancers.
Morris Day, JeromeMorris and Jerome discuss finding a new singer.
Morris Day, JeromeMorris and Jerome discuss a plan for the club.
Morris Day, JeromeVanity window shops, sees a woman in a bridal gown, then encounters Prince who takes her gold chain.
Vanity, PrincePrince and Vanity ride a motorcycle out of the city.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity arrive at a lake. Prince challenges Vanity to purify herself in Lake Minnetonka; she dives in, but he reveals it is not the lake.
Prince, VanityPrince arrives at the club. Jill and other waitresses discuss Prince.
Prince, Jill, Wendy, LisaVanity arrives at the club and is confronted by Chick.
Vanity, Chick, JeromeBilly Sparks meets Vanity. Jerome intervenes to help Vanity escape.
Vanity, Billy Sparks, JeromeWendy and Lisa confront Prince about his refusal to use their music.
Prince, Wendy, LisaBand members discuss Prince's behavior.
Morris and Jerome discuss the password and see Vanity.
Morris Day, Jerome, VanityPrince listens to the tape from Jill.
PrincePrince prepares to go on stage and spots Vanity.
Prince, Vanity, Morris Day, JeromeMorris tries to woo Vanity. Prince performs on stage.
Morris Day, Jerome, Vanity, PrinceBilly Sparks confronts Prince.
Prince, Billy SparksJill surprises Prince with a dog.
Prince, Jill, WendyPrince and Vanity meet and leave on his motorcycle.
Prince, VanityPrince takes Vanity to his house.
Prince, VanityPrince's parents are in the living room.
Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherPrince and Vanity watch his parents.
Prince, VanityPrince's parents kiss and fight.
Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherPrince and Vanity enter the house through the basement.
Prince, VanityPrince brings Vanity to his basement studio where they share an intimate moment and discuss his music.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity engage in sexual intimacy.
Prince, VanityVanity wakes up to the sound of fighting upstairs and flees the house.
Prince, Vanity, Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherVanity is grabbed by Morris Day outside the house and leaves with him and Jerome.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromeThe Caddy drives down the highway.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromeMorris attempts to seduce Vanity in the car while Jerome drives.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromeMorris gives Vanity a camisole before she exits the car.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromePrince watches Vanity return to her motel.
Prince, VanityPrince visits Vanity at her motel room.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity ride his motorcycle.
Prince, VanityThey continue their ride through the countryside.
Prince, VanityPrince navigates the bike toward a valley.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity argue by a stream.
Prince, VanityThey arrive at an old barn.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity prepare for intimacy in the barn.
Prince, VanityPrince and Vanity engage in sexual intimacy.
Prince, VanityThey leave the barn.
Prince, VanityPrince drops Vanity off at her motel.
Prince, VanityVanity finds more carnations on her way to her room.
VanityVanity receives flower deliveries from Morris.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromeMorris and Jerome watch Vanity's window.
Morris Day, JeromeMorris tries to convince Vanity to come down.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromePrince confronts Wendy and Lisa at the club.
Prince, Wendy, LisaMorris shows Vanity his band rehearsing.
Vanity, Morris Day, JeromePrince's parents fight, and Prince is caught in the middle.
Prince, Prince's Mother, Prince's FatherVanity visits Prince, they reconcile, and she gives him a guitar. Later, she reveals she is joining Morris's group, leading to a violent confrontation.
Prince, VanityPrince arrives at the club to rehearse, but his bandmates are absent and Chick informs him Billy Sparks wants to see him.
Prince, Billy SparksPrince and Billy Sparks have a tense encounter.
Prince, Billy SparksBilly Sparks warns Prince that he might be replaced by Vanity's new group.
Prince, Billy SparksPrince confronts Vanity during her rehearsal with Morris's group, leading to a physical altercation with Jellybean.
Prince, Vanity, Morris DayPrince engages in a dangerous race against a freight train.
PrincePrince encounters his mother, who is injured and disoriented.
Prince, Prince's MotherPrince returns home in a rage.
PrincePrince searches for his father.
PrinceYou're nothing, Prince, absolutely nothing. You think you're so special -- but deep down you're just like all the rest. Your whole life you've been hiding, hiding behind your music. But now you don't even have that, because last night...last night you used it to hurt someone, someone who really cares.
Please...it's just... I don't want you around this at all. I just don't want you in my life this way. You don't have to prove anything to me or anybody else. Vanity...? Don't I make you happy? Don.t you like the way we are? Do you know Morris? Do you know what he's about? He doesn't care about you.
Do you know what is meant by the words, huh, I hate to use them, they're so harsh, so American...I mean, and yet on the other hand, they're exciting words. The words... chili sauce. Oh, Lord.
It won't be The Time -- they're playing backup to Vanity. So it's either you or the Modern Aires. What would You do in my position?
You ain't got no business leaving here! All your sneaking around -- you're just a sinner! You're nothing but a low life sinner!
I like the Modern Aires. They have a good following -- they show up for practice -- and the kids like all their music.
I book three acts -- I can't afford four. If they're as good as Morris says they are, one of you will have to go...
Morris called me this morning. Seems he's got himself a new group called Vanity Six. You know anything about them?
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