Zeroville (2019) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Vikar's pursuit of a life in Hollywood intertwines his film work with his complicated connection to Soledad and Zazi.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

An Outsider Enters Hollywood

Vikar arrives in Hollywood with little experience and hopes to work in movies. After an encounter with police, he meets Viking Man, who introduces him to Soledad.

Key Events

• Vikar Arrives in Hollywood — Vikar arrives hoping to work in movies despite having little experience. Characters: Vikar Location: Hollywood
• Caught on a Roof — Police catch Vikar after he climbs onto a roof to urinate. Characters: Vikar Location: A roof in Hollywood
• Vikar Explains His Plans — Vikar explains that he is about to start building sets. Characters: Vikar Location: Hollywood
• Meeting Viking Man — Vikar meets Viking Man, who introduces him to Soledad. Characters: Vikar, Viking Man Location: Hollywood
• Soledad Is Introduced — Viking Man introduces Vikar to the actress Soledad Paladin. Characters: Vikar, Viking Man, Soledad Paladin Location: Hollywood
• Vikar Is Drawn to Soledad — Vikar feels an immediate attraction to Soledad. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: Hollywood
• Viking Man Gives Advice — Viking Man urges Vikar to focus on his work instead of Soledad. Characters: Vikar, Viking Man Location: Hollywood

The Troubled Picture

Vikar proves his production talent and is offered a job editing a troubled film starring Soledad. The film's expected Venice screening makes finishing it urgent, and Vikar negotiates his pay.

Key Events

• Vikar Shows Production Talent — Vikar demonstrates talent in film production. Characters: Vikar Location: A film production setting
• Editing Job Offer — A producer calls Vikar to edit a troubled picture starring Soledad. Characters: Vikar Location: Hollywood
• The Film Faces a Deadline — The picture has no officially recognized director and is still expected to screen at Venice. Characters: Vikar Location: Hollywood
• Vikar Negotiates His Pay — Vikar negotiates his pay and accepts the editing job. Characters: Vikar Location: Hollywood

Work and Complicated Affection

Soledad watches Vikar work and tells him she had hoped for other roles. Their connection grows complicated as his commitment to the film causes tension with those responsible for it.

Key Events

• Soledad Watches Vikar — Soledad has been watching Vikar as he works on the picture. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: The film editing setting
• Soledad Discusses Her Roles — Soledad tells Vikar that she had hoped to be cast in other roles. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: The film editing setting
• Their Connection Complicates — Vikar and Soledad's relationship becomes complicated as he edits her film. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: Hollywood
• Editing Work Creates Tension — Vikar's commitment to the picture creates tension with the people responsible for it. Characters: Vikar Location: The film editing setting
• Another Editor Is Hired — The producer's team brings in another editor, and Vikar fears he has been fired. Characters: Vikar Location: The film editing setting
• Vikar's Approach Is Recognized — The new editor recognizes an aesthetic consistency in Vikar's unusual approach. Characters: Vikar Location: The film editing setting

A Warning and a Family Conflict

Vikar is told to finish the picture, but the producer warns him to stay away from Soledad. Vikar later finds Soledad in a confrontation involving Zazi and offers them a place to stay.

Key Events

• Vikar Is Told to Finish — Vikar is told to finish editing the picture. Characters: Vikar Location: The film editing setting
• Producer Issues a Warning — The producer warns Vikar to stay away from Soledad. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: Hollywood
• Vikar Finds Soledad and Zazi — Vikar finds Soledad in a confrontation involving her daughter, Zazi. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin, Zazi Location: Hollywood
• Vikar Offers Them Shelter — Vikar intervenes and tells Soledad and Zazi to stay with him. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin, Zazi Location: Vikar's place

Uncertain Fates and Reflection

A television report announces a murder at a grand Hollywood home and mentions an old-time star. As Soledad's uncertain fate is recalled, Zazi asks to stay with Vikar and reflects on her life and music.

Key Events

• Murder Report on Television — A television report announces a murder at a grand Hollywood home and mentions an old-time star. Location: A television report
• Soledad's Fate Is Recalled — A conversation recalls Soledad as a free spirit whose fate remains uncertain. Characters: Vikar, Soledad Paladin Location: Hollywood
• Zazi Asks to Stay — Zazi asks Vikar if she can stay with him for a while. Characters: Vikar, Zazi Location: Vikar's place
• Zazi Reflects on Her Music — Zazi discusses making music with friends and feeling like the weakest band member. Characters: Vikar, Zazi Location: Vikar's place
• Shared Story and Movies — Vikar listens as Zazi reflects on her life and the events connecting her to him and Hollywood. Characters: Vikar, Zazi Location: Vikar's place

Story Breakdown

• Arrival in Hollywood — Vikar arrives with little experience and tries to begin a career in movies.
  • Rooftop Encounter — Police catch Vikar after he climbs onto a roof to urinate.
  • Work Ambitions — Vikar explains that he is about to start building sets.
• Viking Man's Introduction — Viking Man takes an interest in Vikar and introduces him to Soledad.
  • Meeting Viking Man — Vikar meets the studio executive in Hollywood.
  • Meet Soledad — Viking Man introduces Vikar to the actress.
• Soledad's Influence — Vikar is immediately drawn to Soledad, while Viking Man encourages him to focus on work.
  • Immediate Attraction — Vikar feels drawn to Soledad when they meet.
  • Work Comes First — Viking Man urges Vikar to prioritize his work.
• The Editing Opportunity — Vikar's talent leads to a job editing a troubled picture starring Soledad.
  • Urgent Film Deadline — The film is expected to screen at Venice despite lacking an officially recognized director.
  • Pay Negotiation — Vikar negotiates his pay and accepts the job.
• A Complicated Connection — Soledad becomes involved in Vikar's life as he edits her film, creating personal and professional tension.
  • Soledad Watches — Soledad watches Vikar as he works on the picture.
  • Unwanted Casting — Soledad tells Vikar that she had hoped to be cast in other roles.
• The Editing Dispute — Vikar fears losing his position when the producer's team brings in another editor.
  • New Editor Arrives — Vikar interprets the additional editor as a possible sign he has been fired.
  • Approach Recognized — The new editor recognizes consistency in Vikar's unusual editing approach.
• Producer's Warning — Vikar is allowed to finish the picture but is warned to keep away from Soledad.
  • Finish the Picture — Vikar is told to complete the film.
  • Stay Away — The producer warns Vikar to stay away from Soledad.
• Vikar and Zazi — Vikar intervenes in a confrontation involving Soledad and Zazi, then offers them shelter.
  • Family Confrontation — Vikar finds Soledad in a confrontation involving her daughter.
  • Offer of Shelter — Vikar tells Soledad and Zazi to stay with him.
• Hollywood's Uncertain End — A murder report and later conversation leave Soledad's fate uncertain while Zazi turns to Vikar.
  • Television Report — A report announces a murder at a grand Hollywood home and mentions an old-time star.
  • Soledad's Uncertain Fate — A conversation recalls Soledad as a free spirit whose fate remains uncertain.
• Zazi's Reflection — Zazi asks to stay with Vikar and shares her thoughts about music and her life.
  • A Place to Stay — Zazi asks Vikar if she can stay with him for a while.
  • Music and Belonging — Zazi says she feels like the weakest member of the band she is making music with.

Directed by

James Franco

Key Cast

• James Franco — Vikar
• Megan Fox — Soledad Paladin
• Seth Rogen — Viking Man
• Joey King — Zazi
• Jacki Weaver — Dotty Langer