Pitch Perfect may have had the strongest story of the trilogy, introducing aspiring music producer Beca Mitchell as the lead, surrounded by a vital group of supporting characters. However, of all the Bellas, Jesse, Benji, and Bumper, over the three films, Beca Mitchell continued to have the most significant transition as a character. Regardless of how Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3 were as movies in their own right, each film in the trilogy did its job of pushing Beca's story and journey forward. While Pitch Perfect may have been the most personal story, introducing the complexities Beca has toward making friends, and her relationship with her father, the following movies take on a more professional approach to Beca's future.
Friendship, sisterhood, and found family are all core values in the Pitch Perfect trilogy, and it is something Beca learns to better understand over time. Her character development is the most noticeable, as she is uncertain how to interact with the Bellas in the first film, and considers them her family in Pitch Perfect 3. Her dream to become involved in the music industry never disappears, but how she wants to be involved seems to transform as she grows older. Making music has always been an integral part of the character, and none of the films forget it. They do, however, grow out and develop the journey.
Growth in Music
Beca got herself on the map with her use of mashups. That was her primary use of music in Pitch Perfect, and she used it to the Barden Bellas' advantage at Lincoln Center to take home the win. However, Pitch Perfect 2 forces Beca to think beyond mashups. When Beca gets an internship at Residual Heat, the leading Producer asks Beca to develop a demo of original compositions, rather than mashups. But, what does Beca have to say? This is the first time Beca has been musically challenged with the suggestion that she has to prove herself beyond what she has shown to be capable of. However, no one said she had to do it alone. Taking advantage of Emily Junk's addition to the Barden Bellas and her love for songwriting, Beca suggests the duo team up to write a song.
The change gives Beca and Emily the chance to bond while showing their mutual interest in making music. But, it also offers Beca time in a professional recording booth, which allows her to shine. Their song is a success, but it also appears at the World's competition, where Emily gets to solo her own song.
Creating a Found Family
Beca is very much an introvert at the beginning of Pitch Perfect. Her only interest in joining a club is to get a job with the campus radio station that only features a few other employees. Beca has no issue with not being best friends with her roommate, and struggles to connect with her father. The Barden Bellas become the family Beca needs. They are all so different, with distinct perspectives and eccentric personalities. However, the a cappella group bonds them all together. Beca decides to stay at Barden after solidifying her friendships with the other girls.
The group's bond may be tested in Pitch Perfect 2, but Beca never loses love for her friends, even if she is ready to start her life outside of college. In Pitch Perfect 3, Beca lives with Chloe and Fat Amy in New York, and the Bellas take the opportunity to reunite when Emily invites them to see the new Bellas perform.
Becoming More Open
There is nothing wrong with Beca being introverted. However, Jesse points out in Pitch Perfect that Beca goes beyond that, pushing away anyone who wants to get close to her. Unfortunately, that is how Beca and Jesse have a falling out in the first movie. Between Beca's wanting to be a part of the Bellas and gaining Jesse's forgiveness, Beca allows herself to open up. However, she does not go backward in the following films.
Although Beca keeps her internship a secret, Beca and Chloe's explosive fight during the retreat and their campfire talk afterward show how much Beca has grown. In addition, she is willing to be vulnerable with her friends, a trait that Beca had seemingly attempted to avoid throughout the first film. By Pitch Perfect 3, Beca has transformed, being far more open with her friends than before.
A Solo Act
In Pitch Perfect, Beca clarifies that she wants to be a music producer. She is constantly shown working on mashups and becomes the leading force behind the Bellas' final performance at Lincoln Center. In Pitch Perfect 2, the movie builds on that, giving Beca an internship. She is forced to grow beyond her mashups and experience the music industry differently than she had while creating mashups for her college acappella group. However, Pitch Perfect 3 makes a massive decision about Beca's music career trajectory. The beginning of Pitch Perfect 3 shows Beca as a music producer. She is living her dream career. Except, she is not happy. Her client disregards her opinions on making his song better, and Beca's boss is no help in the situation either. So, in a monumental change of plans, Beca quits.
Meeting Theo at the Military performance tour is the catalyst for a change in Beca's career. He is intrigued by her voice and talent, keeping an eye on her above everyone else. At the end, when DJ Khaled reveals the winner, he and Theo explain they have chosen Beca on her own, rather than the Bellas as a group. Beca, initially, is surprised and disagrees with the idea of performing without the group. But, Beca's friends refuse to allow her to choose against the offer when they learn about it. So, even though she brings the Bellas on stage in the film's final concert, Beca's last performance in the trilogy as a solo act is also the beginning of a new career.