OVERLAY REPORT

In the film Pitch Perfect (2012), the primary conflict is an internal struggle for the soul and direction of the Barden Bellas, manifested through the clash between the protagonist, Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick), and the group’s rigid leader, Aubrey Posen (Anna Camp). ### The Primary Conflict: Beca vs. Aubrey The core conflict is a battle between tradition (Aubrey) and innovation (Beca). Aubrey is obsessed with reclaiming the group's dignity through a safe, "classic" repertoire, while Beca believes the group must modernize and "mash up" their sound to stay relevant and competitive. #### How It Started: Specific Details The conflict began through a combination of a traumatic failure and a clash of personalities during recruitment: 1. The "Vomit" Incident (The Catalyst for Aubrey's Rigidity): The film opens at the previous year's International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) finals. Aubrey, under immense pressure, projectile vomits on stage during her solo, leading to the Bellas’ public humiliation and loss. This failure makes Aubrey pathologically obsessed with control and "the plan." She believes that if they do the exact same traditional set list perfectly, they will be vindicated. 2. The Activities Fair (The First Interaction): Beca and Aubrey first meet at the Barden University activities fair. When Aubrey and Chloe (Brittany Snow) try to recruit her, Beca is openly dismissive of a cappella, calling it "lame" and "not for her." Aubrey immediately views Beca as an arrogant outsider who doesn't respect the group's history, while Beca views Aubrey as an uptight "clique" leader. 3. The "No Treblemakers" Rule: Upon joining, Beca learns of Aubrey’s strict rule: Bellas are forbidden from dating members of their rival male group, the Treblemakers. Beca’s growing friendship (and eventual romance) with Jesse Swanson, a Treblemaker, creates constant friction. Aubrey uses this as leverage to paint Beca as disloyal and "not a Bella." 4. The Semi-Finals Improvisation (The Breaking Point): The conflict reaches its peak during the semi-finals. Watching the audience fall asleep during their repetitive, dated set, Beca spontaneously "mashes up" their performance by singing Bulletproof over their traditional arrangement. Although the audience loves it, Aubrey is furious that Beca went "off-script," leading to a heated confrontation where Beca quits the group in frustration. ### The Secondary Conflict: Bellas vs. Treblemakers While Beca and Aubrey provide the emotional core, the film’s external conflict is the Barden Bellas vs. the Treblemakers. * How it started: This is a long-standing campus rivalry fueled by the Treblemakers' dominance and arrogance, personified by their leader Bumper Allen (Adam DeVine). * The Conflict: The Treblemakers consistently mock the Bellas for being "boring" and "estrogen-filled." This rivalry provides the competitive stakes of the film, as the Bellas must overcome their internal drama (Beca vs. Aubrey) to finally beat the Treblemakers at the National Finals. ### Resolution The conflict only ends when Aubrey finally breaks down during a rehearsal, admitting her fear of failure. She eventually cedes creative control to Beca, allowing the group to perform a modern mash-up at the finals. This merger of Aubrey’s leadership and Beca’s creativity allows the Bellas to win the National Championship.