2009
Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who values his transient lifestyle, is grounded by a new company policy and tasked with training the ambitious Natalie Keener, while also pursuing a relationship with fellow traveler Alex Goran. As Ryan mentors Natalie and reflects on his own isolated existence, he helps his brother-in-law embrace commitment at a wedding, only to discover Alex is married, shattering his perception of their shared transient world. Achieving his ten millionth mile feels hollow as Ryan learns of a former employee's suicide and Natalie's resignation, prompting him to confront the emptiness of his detached life. Untethered and transformed, Ryan stands in an airport, contemplating a future where he seeks genuine human connection over isolated freedom.
Save the Cat beat sheet
In UP IN THE AIR, corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham lives a detached life of constant travel until he must train novice Natalie, and their evolving relationship challenges his isolation.
Open full beat sheetRyan Bingham is listed as Corporate Downsizing Specialist. Handsome, anonymous, detached, obsessed with elite status and efficiency. In the parsed data, Ryan Bingham is connected to 85 scenes, 140 dialogue lines, 141 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
85 scenes / 140 dialogue linesNatalie Keener is listed as CTC Employee / Efficiency Expert. Young, ambitious, Cornell graduate, initially idealistic about corporate efficiency. In the parsed data, Natalie Keener is connected to 33 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
33 scenes / 51 dialogue linesAlex Goran is listed as Business Traveler / Ryan's Love Interest. Professional, confident, shares Ryan's obsession with travel status. In the parsed data, Alex Goran is connected to 28 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
28 scenes / 28 dialogue linesCraig Gregory is listed as Ryan's Boss at CTC. Corporate executive, pragmatic, focused on bottom-line results. In the parsed data, Craig Gregory is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesKara Bingham is listed as Ryan's Sister. The family glue, grounded, concerned about Ryan's isolation. In the parsed data, Kara Bingham is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 78.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJim Miller is listed as Julie's Fiance. Real estate developer, prone to cold feet. In the parsed data, Jim Miller is connected to 5 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 77.
5 scenes / 8 dialogue linesJulie Bingham is listed as Ryan's Sister. The bride-to-be. In the parsed data, Julie Bingham is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 65.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesKevin is listed as Ryan's Assistant. Reluctant office assistant. In the parsed data, Kevin is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 8.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRyan Bingham gives a motivational speech about the weight of life and possessions to a group of people.
Ryan BinghamRyan is on a flight and is confused by a flight attendant's question.
Ryan BinghamRyan fires an employee named Steve.
Ryan BinghamRyan efficiently packs his belongings.
Ryan BinghamRyan checks out of the hotel.
Ryan BinghamRyan returns his rental car.
Ryan BinghamRyan navigates the airport with elite status.
Ryan BinghamRyan relaxes in the club and takes a call from his assistant.
Ryan Bingham, KevinRyan speaks with his boss, Craig.
Ryan Bingham, Craig GregoryRyan meets Alex and they bond over their shared obsession with travel status.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan drops Alex off at her hotel room door after their night together.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranMontage of Ryan's morning routine at the hotel.
Ryan BinghamRyan returns his rental car.
Ryan BinghamRyan checks in for his flight.
Ryan BinghamRyan reflects on his travel lifestyle.
Ryan BinghamRyan arrives at the airport and reflects on his home life.
Ryan BinghamRyan arrives at his apartment building.
Ryan BinghamRyan encounters a neighbor in the elevator.
Ryan BinghamRyan returns to his empty apartment and talks to his neighbor Dianne.
Ryan BinghamExterior shot of the office building.
Craig and Natalie present a new remote firing strategy to the staff.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Craig GregoryRyan confronts Craig and Natalie about the new policy.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Craig GregoryCraig tells Ryan he must train Natalie on the road.
Ryan Bingham, Craig GregoryRyan packs for his next trip with the photo of his sister.
Ryan BinghamRyan meets Natalie at the airport to begin her training.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie discuss the philosophy of their job.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan receives a call from Alex.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Alex GoranRyan and Alex have a flirtatious phone conversation while Alex is working.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Natalie arrive at the Bottling Company.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie enter the empty, downsizing office.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie walk through the office.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan instructs Natalie on the termination process.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerMontage of firing sessions.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan fires Bob, who is distraught.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan uses his elite status to cut the line.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerNatalie hears someone crying in a stall.
Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie discuss his mileage obsession.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Alex text each other.
Ryan BinghamNatalie takes a photo of Ryan's cut-out of his sister.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie fire a young man.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerNatalie fires Karen, who mentions suicide.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerNatalie is shaken by the suicide threat.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan overhears Natalie on an iChat.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan gives a presentation on the weight of relationships.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie debate marriage.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerNatalie breaks down crying.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan and Natalie discuss life and death, leading to Natalie crying over her breakup. Alex arrives, and the three decide to get a drink.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Alex GoranThe trio discusses Natalie's breakup and their views on relationships and life goals.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Alex GoranThe group decides to crash a tech conference party.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Alex GoranThe trio attends the party, dances, and enjoys the performance by Young MC.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Alex GoranRyan and Alex share a moment on a yacht, discussing Ryan's past and his 'empty backpack' philosophy.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranAlex leaves for a meeting, and she and Ryan share a tender moment.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Natalie argue about relationships and Ryan's lifestyle, leading to the cutout falling into the ocean.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerCraig Gregory surprises Ryan and Natalie with a video conference, forcing Natalie to conduct a firing remotely.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Craig GregoryNatalie and Ryan oversee a firing while Mr. Samuels cries in the next room.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerNatalie processes the firing while Ryan speaks to Craig on the phone.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie Keener, Craig GregoryRyan reviews his sister's wedding invitation.
Ryan BinghamRyan and Natalie discuss their future before Ryan abruptly leaves.
Ryan Bingham, Natalie KeenerRyan meets Alex in Vegas and invites her to the wedding.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Alex arrive in Milwaukee.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Alex arrive at the hotel.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan is denied elite check-in.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan runs into his sister Kara.
Ryan Bingham, Alex Goran, Kara BinghamRyan and Alex settle into their room.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranThe rehearsal dinner.
Ryan Bingham, Alex Goran, Jim Miller, Julie BinghamGuests depart the rehearsal dinner.
Ryan Bingham, Alex Goran, Kara Bingham, Julie BinghamRyan and Kara discuss Julie's age.
Ryan Bingham, Kara BinghamRyan and Alex break into the high school.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan shows Alex his old classroom.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Alex look at the trophy case.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan recounts his first fight.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan and Alex kiss.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranRyan receives a call from Kara about Jim's cold feet.
Ryan Bingham, Alex Goran, Kara BinghamRyan arrives at the church.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranKara asks Ryan to talk to Jim.
Ryan Bingham, Kara BinghamRyan talks to Jim about marriage.
Ryan Bingham, Jim MillerRyan gives Jim advice about marriage and life, encouraging him to reconcile with Julie.
Ryan Bingham, Jim Miller, Kara BinghamJim reconciles with Julie; Ryan is welcomed by Kara.
Ryan Bingham, Jim Miller, Julie Bingham, Kara BinghamA montage of the wedding ceremony and reception.
Ryan Bingham, Alex Goran, Jim Miller, Julie Bingham, Kara BinghamRyan and Alex part ways at the airport.
Ryan Bingham, Alex GoranOkay. This is where it gets a little difficult, but stay with me. You have a new backpack... but this time, I want you to fill it with people. Start with casual acquaintances, people around the office, friends of friends and work your way to the people you trust with your most intimate secrets. Now move into family members - cousins, aunts, and uncles. Get your sisters and your brothers and you parents. Get them all in that backpack. And finally your husband or wife or boyfriend or girlfriend. Get them in their too.
No, they're beta-testing. Role-playing. We go live at the end of the month. Kyle, you're running through the events too quickly. You have to give them time to acknowledge each statement. Okay? It's a legal thing.
I have to admit, when you asked me to meet you in Vegas... I thought we'd gamble, make out in a heart shaped jacuzzi, maybe see one of those weird French Canadian circus shows.
Retailers are down twenty percent. Auto industry is in the dump. Housing market doesn't have a heartbeat. This is our moment.
Yeah, Julie went back to the apartment and I was all alone in that big honeymoon suite...
No, I mean... why would your sister want a fake photo in front of the St. Louis Airport?
This is not an assessment of your productivity. It's important not to personalize this.
I mean, no, nothing good can come of that, but I don't think you should worry about it.
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