Billy Elliot Human Experiences Analysis Viewing Table

Scene description Human experience/s Film Techniques used Analysis – how do the film Effect on Responder e.g.:
depicted techniques contribute to oInviting the responder to see the
(with Clickview timestamp)
the representation of world differently
Human Experiences? oChallenging assumptions
oIgniting new ideas
oReflect personally
oPersonal perspectives
oConnections between student, the
world of the text and their wider
world.

Opening titles – Billy’s hand Pursuing one’s passion ● Close ups (of Billy’s hand ● Lyrics of the diegetic soundtrack ● Ignites the idea that
‘Cosmic Dancer’ establish Billy’s
shown putting the record on. as he puts the record on, innate passion for dance: “I was one’s passion can provide a
T. Rex’s Cosmic Dancer his facial expressions and dancing when I was twelve… I sense of freedom and
danced myself right out the womb.”
plays as Billy jumps/dances parts of his body as he escapism from the realities
● The slow-motion, close shots of Billy
up and down on the bed. jumps/dances) jumping/dancing joyously draw of everyday life.
[0:00:41 – 0:02:27] ● Slow motion + close up + attention to the happiness
dancing/music brings him and reveal
zoom out the gracefulness of his movements.
● Diegetic music ● A slow zooming out and lengthening
● Mise-en-scene (colour, of the frame reveals details of mise-
costume, set) en-scene including the dull, old
fashioned wallpaper, which
● Cutting + mise-en-scene establishes Billy’s working class
background, and his costume, which
is also worn but in bright colours to
symbolise both his social class and
his joy.
● Dancing/jumping on bed cuts to Billy
running through cramped, dull
kitchen to cook his grandmother’s
eggs, contrasting the feeling of
freedom he had with the harsh reality
of his working class upbringing and
responsibilities.

A Disgrace in Gloves – (Overcoming) Gender ● Zoom in towards the ● The diegetic piano ● The synergy (when
0:06:09 to 0:07:57 stereotypes boxing ring music reinforces the things work together)
● Slow motion of Billy idea that ballet is of the cross-cuts used
Billy attends boxing and falls
falling onto the feminine and for the to juxtapose Billy’s
from hit
ground girls to participate in, entrapment in the
● Close up shot of a sphere where Billy male sphere of the
Billy’s face cannot enter into as a boxing ring,
● Diegetic sound of the male dominated by male
piano ● Dialogue between voices from the coach
● Dialogue between Michael and Billy and Jackie “You’re a
Billy and Michael hints at Billy’s future disgrace to the
outside the Men’s hall in overcoming gender gloves” symbolise
● Dialogue of the coach boundaries. Michael that Billy is not
“You’re a disgrace to is not interested in comfortable there, yet
the gloves, your participating in the is not yet able to
father, and the “male sphere” of escape their confines.
traditions of the boxing, and Billy is The classical music
boxing hall” still conforming – this used in conjunction
● Coach says “Billy, links to the future with the close up shot
punching bag” experience for Billy of Billy “boxing”
● Long shoot which overcoming societal indicates that Billy is
allows the viewer to norms able to move his body
see Billy in the wider ● Coach’s dialogue through the music,
environment reinforces that male however, the
● Low angle shot of stereotypes are expectations of
coach steeped in tradition gender placed on him
● Cross cut shows the and no one has through class have
juxtaposition between challenged them – it not yet allowed Billy
Billy and ballerinas reflects the societal to free himself of this.
pressures; if you don’t The audience can
conform you may fall. see Billy is
Deeply entrenched uncomfortable in the
gender roles which ring, and the Coach’s
interact with class words “punching bag”
issues symbolise that he has
● The cross cut figuratively become
reinforces the gender this himself.
based experiences by
representing the male
and female spheres
 as separated with
each not able to step
over the boundary
into the other.

The Ballet Class - 0:07:58 ● Overcoming gender ● Cross cut of punching ● The cross cut of the
to 0:11:27 stereotypes bag to the man punching bag to the
● Pursing one’s passion playing the piano piano reinforces the
Billy attends his first ballet
● Grief and loss ● Zoom in as Billy contrast between
class with Mrs Wilkinson
(maybe) started swaying with boxing and ballet,
unintended
the boxing bag where ballet is a
● Dialogue between gentle and feminine
Billy and Debbie for girls and a sphere
● Close up shot of where Billy cannot
Billy’s leg, shoe, face enter. This technique
● Dialogue of Mrs of the cross cut of the
Wilkinson punching bag to the
● Diegetic sound of piano hints that Billy
(piano) symbolises passion for ballet
femininity would soon start.
● Tracking shot and ● The tracking shot of
contrast of ballet the ballet shoes and
shoes and boxing boxing reveals the
shoes contrast between the
● Mid shot – Billy on the two sports – one
side of the barre associated with
● Long shot – Billy femininity while the
peering over the top other is associated
of the ballerinas with masculinity. This
reinforces
overcoming gender
stereotypes as Billy
chooses to discard
the boxing and to
purse ballet
● The long shot of Billy
 peering over the top
of the ballerinas
portrays Billy’s
interest in a sport that
is regarded as
feminine.
Furthermore,
reinforces purse of
one’s passion as well
as overcoming
gender stereotypes
- He doesn’t feel
pressured by
societal standards

To Be a Dancer – 0:16:47 to ● Pursing to one’s ● Non-diegetic music, ● Non-diegetic music,

0:19:02 pattern “Get it on” “Get it on”
● Resistance to one’s ● Non-diegetic music symbolising Billy’s
Michael and Billy discuss
authority ● Dialogue of the pursuit of dance
ballet and Billy takes
● Overcoming librarian, “You
measures to learn ● Non-diegetic music
expectations of shouldn’t be looking
represents Billy’s
gender and sexuality at that”
inner resistance and
● Billy pauses outside
the diegetic music
the library
cuts out when faced
● Billy and Michael
with authority
going under the
tunnel during sports ● Dialogue of the
class represents that librarian, “You
they can’t follow the shouldn’t be looking
rules of the middle at that” – librarian
class – navigating the symbolises a sense
world in a way that of order and authority
works for them
● Costumes – Billy ● Billy pauses outside
dresses up as if he the library to portray
was a higher class he isn’t supposed to
 be seen with the book
– books and library
represent the middle
class (resistance
against authority)
● Over the shoulder
angle of Billy looking
at the book –
overcoming gender
stereotypes as he is
coming out of the
male sphere

Landing the Pirouette – ● Overcoming gender ● Ariel view (bird’s eye ● The bird’s eye view of
0:19:03 to 0:21:59-Montage stereotypes view) of girls going the girls going down
of Billy working to land a ● Pursing one’s passion down the stairs to go the stairs with Billy
pirouette to practice with Billy popping over the
popping out over railings demonstrates
railings Billy’s interest in the
● Crosscut between the so-called “feminine
bathroom and Billy in sport” of dancing,
ballet class pursuing one’s
● The contrast between passion
Billy’s blue clothing
● “I think you looked
and the ballerina girls
like a right wanker”
(costume contrast)
Mr Braithwaite to Billy
● Crosscut of Billy
to symbolise the
practising ballet in
resistance Billy still
different places of his
faces from the world
house and the
beyond the ballet
ballerina area
studio
● Diegetic sound of the
ballet class into the - This as well
 non-diegetic demonstrates
orchestral music that there are
● Montage of shots to people in
show the passing society who
time of practice will judge Billy
● “prepare” from Mrs on his
Wilkinson and Billy decision to
(both literal and pursue ballet
figurative – prepping as he isn’t
Billy for the future) conforming to
which links to “Go the gender
Billy” stereotypes of
● Cross cut of billy boy’s being
dancing and running masculine
down the street and - “wanker”
playing the piano suggesting
● Ballet shoes around that Billy is
his neck “unpleasant”
● The wink of Mrs to society,
Wilkinson symbolises society
the success of Billy disapproves of
● “I think you looked him
like a right wanker” ●
Mr Braithwaite to Billy

Mrs Wilkinson winking at Billy not only symbolises the success for

● Montage of shots to
show the passing
time of practice
 illustrates Billy’s
dedication to ballet,
not willing to give up
in order to become
successful

Dad Finds Out – 0:24:25 to ● Resistance to ● Diegetic music of the ● Diegetic music of the
0:28:13 authority piano and Billy piano and Billy
● Overcoming gender walking near the walking near the
The boxing coach tips Jackie
stereotypes police officers police officers 🡪
about Billy’s lessons and
● Crosscut between symbolises that
scolds him
Billy in ballet class something bad is
and his dad about to happen
● Girls laughing at Billy
- Walking through
● Conversation
field of policemen
between Billy and
represents that he
Dad as well as cross-
isn’t ingrained as
cut between them,
his father and
“Lads don’t do ballet,
brother is
they do football or
wrestling, not friggin - Mining strike so
ballet” much harder for
● Intense non-diegetic community
music appears when
Billy’s dad pushes ● Conversation
Billy onto the wall between Billy and
- “You were the Dad as well as cross-
children of the cut between them,
revolution” “Lads don’t do ballet,
they do football or
wrestling, not friggin
ballet”
- Represents
Jackie as a
member of his
 class and
stereotypical
gender
- Concern due to
wanting to protect
Billy from criticism
from others and
survival in his
proposed future
as a miner
● Intense non-diegetic
music appears when
Billy’s dad pushes
Billy onto the wall
- “You were the
children of the
revolution”
demonstrates the
intense scene and
aggressive mood
which reinforces
toxic masculinity
but as well as
ironic due to the
lyrics saying that
the children come
up with new ideas
such as
overcoming
gender
stereotypes

Mrs Wilkinson’s Offer – ● Resistance against ● Close up of both ● Dialogue:

0:32:08 to 0:34:20 authority – Billy faces
Mrs Wilkinson offers to teach resisting against his ● Cross cut shots - “We couldn’t
Billy for free in secret dad between Mrs afford it”
● Overcoming gender Wilkinson and Billy
- “What about
stereotypes ● ‘I’m not doing it for
boxing?”
the money” – Mrs
Wilkinson to Billy - From Billy
● Dialogue: represents he is
- “We couldn’t stuck within the
afford it” confines his
- “What about working-class
boxing?” background and
● Mise-en-scene ballet seems
● Tracking shot of the unattainable
squished houses –
allow us to see ● Mise-en-scene
working-class encapsulates that the
environment/milieu conversation is in the
● “If you want to piss car reinforcing the
about your little secretive nature of
mates, that’s fine with the arrangement
me” ● Tracking shot shows
- Tracking shot the working-class
background of
Durham – all houses
are identical and
cramped in an
industrial setting

Private Lessons – 0:36:45 ● Pursing one’s passion ● Ariel shot of Billy ● The lighting
to 0:41:23 ● Grief and loss walking into the gym symbolises Billy’s
● Overcoming gender – shows Billy’s unease
Billy shares his mum’s letter
stereotypes nervousness
with Mrs Wilkinson, dance - Mrs Wilkinson is
● Dim/shadowed
montage to “I Love to in the shadows:
lighting to reinforce
Boogie” by T. Rex perhaps
secrecy of the lesson
represents the
 and to develop the ghost of Billy’s
sombre mood mum
● The lighting
● Mrs Wilkinson
● Mrs Wilkinson
punching the boxing
punching the boxing
bag – Mrs Wilkinson
bag
breaking down the
● Mother’s note – “No
patriarchy and Billy is
she was just me
now welcome to
mam”; maturity with
pursue his passion
grief/different grieving
process than his Dad ● Billy was wearing a
● Mid shot of Mrs pink shirt (fading
Wilkinson and Billy colour of men’s club
● Close up of Billy sign colour and
● Crosscuts between coming closer to Mrs
Mrs Wilkinson and Wilkinson’s colour)
Billy and his teacher was
● Non-diegetic music wearing a blue shirt
appears when Mrs
Wilkinson reads the
letter
● Tracking shot of Billy
and Mrs Wilkinson
dancing
● Non-diegetic music of
“We love to Boogie”
● Crosscuts to Billy’s
family members while
dancing to the music
● Billy was wearing a
pink shirt faded in
contrast to the vivid
red men’s club sign

Private Lesson Soured by ● Grief and loss ● Music fades when ● Long shot represents
the Strikes – 0:43:55 to ● Resistance against Billy enters the the normalisation of
0:46:13 authority house, music the police presence in
- Tony to Jackie changes, when he the town in the
Billy has an outburst with Mrs
- Tony and the gets into his own miner’s context
Wilkinson after witnessing his
police/mining home, his sense of (foreshadowing) –
family fight
companies freedom is all gone about with conflict
● Long shot with Jackie, Billy has
● Dark lighting a sense of freedom
● Dialogue reflects but much more muted
Jackie’s grief and loss when gets inside the
and inability to cope house – freedom is
since his wife unlike gone
Billy’s resilience
● Dark lighting
symbolises not only
the time of the day
but also the
uncomfortable
situation the Elliot
men are in

A Ghost Story – 0:46:14 to ● ● Mid shot of Billy and ● The story reflects
0:48:36 Mrs Wilkinson Billy’s own freedom
● Dialogue - “She through dance
Mrs Wilkinson shares the
becomes alive, she
story of Swan Lake with Billy ● The orchestral music
becomes real again”
unceremoniously represents the upper
● Non-Diegetic music
class and is
● Loud sweeping
juxtaposed against
orchestral music to
Billy’s working-class
add effect and
landscape
reinforce Mrs
Wilkinson’s story
● The orchestral music
● Composer –
 Tchaikovsky
A Dance of Defiance - ● (Overcoming) gender ● Close up shot of ● Crosscut from the
1:19:45 to 1:27:12 stereotypes Billy’s face close up of Billy’s
face to the judges
Billy auditions in London ● The pursuit of one’s ● Crosscut from the
that will judge Billy
passion close up of Billy’s
face to the judges - the contrast
● resistance against
that will judge Billy between the
auth
judge’s formal
● The scene of Billy’s attire and
audition cross-cuts to Billy’s tank top
Jackie admiring the and shorts
Royal Ballet Academy symbolises
interior the
- the juxtaposition
juxtaposition between the
of Jackie’s upper class
lower-class the limitations
clothing in of the lower
contrast to the class (Billy)
sophisticated - Black attire of
architecture of the upper
the Royal class
Ballet represents
academy authority -
● Diegetic music of the upper class
piano playing in the having power
background as Jackie over the lower
admires the interior of class
Royal Ballet Academy - the nervous
● Zoom out - from close facial
up of a judge’s face to expression of
showing the all the Billy in
judges and Billy in the contrast to the
frame serious
expression of
● Diegetic music of judges
classical music plays ● The scene of Billy’s
in the background as audition cross-cuts to
Billy dances but the Jackie admiring the
music stops when he Royal Ballet Academy
stops dancing interior
suggesting something - the
serious is about to juxtaposition
happen of Jackie’s
● Close up of Billy’s lower-class
feet tapping clothing in
● Crosscut of Billy contrast to the
dancing to his dad sophisticated
● Derogatory language architecture of
of dialogue of Billy - the Royal
“Look, F**k off, will Ballet
you?” in a academy
combination of Billy’s ● Derogatory language
punch of dialogue of Billy -
● Dialogue of Billy - “Look, F**k off, will
“Like I feel a change you?” in a
in my whole body. combination of Billy’s
Like there is a fire in punch reinforces the
my body. I’m just male gender
there, flying like a stereotype of using
bird, like electricity” violence to deal with
things when angry
- This could as
well reveal his
local class
status due to
his derogatory
language
which is a
characteristic
 of the lower
class as well
as resistance
to authority,
breaking the
rules of the
Ballet
Academy
● Dialogue of Billy -
“Like I feel a change
in my whole body.
Like there is a fire in
my body. I’m just
there, flying like a
bird, like a bird, like
electricity” reinforces
Billy’s passion for
dance where it makes
him happy?

The Letter and Farewell ● No music building up

1:28:34 to 1:38:00-Billy ● · Pursuing one’s · No music suspense
receives the news and says passion
● · Overcoming · Dim lighting in Billy’s ● Dim lighting to
goodbye
gender stereotypes room and outside represent Billy is
● Grief and loss nervous to read the
· Switches from Billy letter
reading the letter and
Jackie smoking ● Switching to Jackie
smoking to build even
 more suspense
· Long shot of the because he s
cemetery smoking and
becoming nervous for
Mid shot o Billy
· ● Long shot of
cemetery to let the
audience know that
they are visiting their
wife/mom

Billy’s Big Night - 1:38:00- ● Pursuing one’s ● Smooth cross-cut ●

1:40:44 passion shot from younger
Billy sitting in a bus to
Billy performs Swan Lake for ● Overcoming gender
Jackie and Tony This smooth transition of the cross-cut symbolises from the past to t
his family, Michael and stereotypes
sitting in a train
London after many years
● The dark lighting the
audience in contrast
bright lighting to Billy ● Crosscut from Billy to
on the stage his dad hints the idea
of family - that his
● Close up shot of Billy
family approves of
prepping up for the
Billy being successful
final dance
in a “feminine” sport -
● Crosscut from Billy to overcoming gender
his dad stereotypes in a way

● The tracking shot of ● The midshot of Billy

Billy moving towards jumping in the air with
to jump the ballet pose in
conjunction with the
● Mid shot of Billy bright lighting
jumping in the air with symbolises Billy has
his ballet pose? in grown confidence in
combination with light his ballet and is a star
 shining on him on the in the eyes of the
stage audience, he has
become successful in
● The intense
his passion. Hence,
orchestral music of
reinforcing pursuit of
Swan Lake
one’s passion
●

The intense orchestral music of the Swan Lake foreshadows the gho