Module D – Texts and the Human Experience
Billy Elliot
Rubric Summary:
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How texts represent individual and collective human experiences.
Human qualities and emotions associated with or arising from, these experiences.
Evaluate the ways language is used to shape these representations.
Given insight into the anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistences in human behaviour and
motivations.
Consider the role of storytelling throughout time to express and reflect particular lives and
cultures.
Rubric Concepts/Key Terms:
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Individual and collective human experiences
- Individual = identity and conformity
- Collective = community and conformity
Reciprocal Relationships
Individual vs society
Anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behaviour and motivation
- Anomalies = unconventional, non-conformity, outsider
- Paradoxes = contradictory
- Inconsistencies = variances
- Human behaviour = actions
- Motivations = reason, desire
The role of storytelling throughout time to express and reflect particular lives and cultures
- Bildungsroman = coming of age, individual growth and development.
Key Information:
Genre:
Social Drama – Social film drama is a film genre that moves and inspires people to change policy,
practice and individual behaviour. A dramatic, sensitive and authentic treatment of social issues,
which powerfully connects audiences to the emotions and people that lie behind our assumptions,
stereotypes and prejudices.
Bildungsroman (coming of age) – A narrative dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual
education. Seeing the growth in a particular character as they encounter adversity overcome those
challenges and grow to become fulfilled.
Director: Stephen Daldry
Release Date: November 2000
Possible Themes:
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The struggle with adversity
The search for identity
The pursuit of dreams
The importance of nurturing relationships
Description of Main Characters:
Character
Billy Elliot
Jackie Elliot
Tony Elliot
Mrs. Wilkinson
Michael Caffrey
Description
Billy is the main protagonist in the film whom struggles with internalised conflict
and interpersonal challenges through as he faces his love for dance and the male
dominated hegemonic mining industry in his small town. He turns to dance to
escape the imminent expectations and pressures to follow in the footsteps of his
father and brother.
Jackie struggles greatly with the loss of his wife an having to take care of his family
on his own. He experiences this pressure further through the loss of his job at the
mines struggling to provide for his family through the holidays. Jackie also
experiences a similar internalised conflict as Billy as he must choose between
giving up on Billy and his passion and thereby losing the possibility of a bond
between them or becoming a scab – a miner who worked during the strike rather
then protesting with his co-workers and eldest son Tony.
Tony is fuelled by his all the adversity he has experienced in this life. The loss of
his mother and job causes his character to be hurt and angry at the world.
Ballet teacher who introduces Billy to the Royal Ballet School. Unfulfilled in her
marriage, her husband doesn’t have a job her daughter is the same age as Billy,
and he speaks to her about ballet.
Accepts Billy from the beginning of the film. Introduces Billy to ‘cross-dressing’ as
he learns that Michael has seen his dad do it which influences him. Billy can
confide in Michael as he isn’t afraid to talk about his passion with him and he
becomes his closest friend.
Film Metalanguage and Cinematic Techniques:
Technique
Compositional
Juxtaposition
Visual Motif
&
Symbolism
Description
The fact of two things
being seen or placed
close together with
contrasting effect.
Example/Purpose
Represents the conflict of the film as there is contrast
between Billy in light of his surroundings and the internal
desires he has for ballet and having to breakout of the social
standards and gender roles that he is being somewhat forced
to conform to.
The political turmoil and Billy’s ‘flamboyant’ dance sit in
opposition with one another.
A dominant or recurring Ballet Shoes – Billy’s ballet shoes are a visual motif which
idea in an artistic work.
symbolise his passion for dance and his progression of
accepting himself when comparing it to at first hiding them
The use of symbols to under his bed to wearing them around his neck.
represent
ideas
or Caged wire – Billy and his father are often distant from each
qualities.
other in scenes, this placement of characters act as a
reoccurring symbolic motif for the distance they have and
the lack of nurture in their relationship.
Cubical – When Mrs Wilkinson tells Billy’s family that he has
promising talent Billy leaves his home after the encounter as
he is overwhelmed as he feels as though he has to decide
between the expectations his father and brother have for
him or to purse his passion. This led him to confine himself
with a cubical setting which symbolises the pressure he is
feeling within. His escape to the cubical is a reoccurring
event as it is one of the few places Billy can be alone
denoting that he isolates himself to think clearly. He isolates
himself in the change rooms of the boxing hall as he yells at
Mrs Wilkinson about the pressure he is under and says to her
“you’re the same as everybody else, always telling me what
to do”
Piano – The Piano which belonged to Billy’s mother
symbolised all that they physically had left of her. The piano
also representing Billy’s possible connection to the arts as he
is often seen playing it. When Mrs. Wilkinson and Billy read
the letter from his mum non-diegetic piano instrumental
plays when he reads “always be yourself”
Once Billy reaches the end of his street dancing away from
his home and arguing family and Mrs. Wilkinson, he hits a
gated fence. This then seamlessly transitions between the
seasons as when he stands up again and the camera pans
Infront of him it is wintertime and snowing illustrating the
time which has passed as he struggles to make up his mind.
Costuming – Billy’s outfit in the opening scene match the
wallpaper in his room. The yellow colour of his top is then
contrasted with the smog from the mines.
Setting – There is clear contrast between the spacious dance
rooms and the cramped, messy home that Billy lives in.
The ballet taking place in the sports hall establishes how Billy
is out of place just by his location. This is further extended by
the visual motif of the caged wire which expresses his
entrapment which is seen through the film.
Placement – Billy’s involvement in the female dominated
sport of ballet is juxtaposed by the girls dressed in their tutus
and ballet flats and Billy in his boxing gear.
Props – The transition between the boxing gloves and the
ballet shoes are visual motifs which reflects the growth Billy
is experiencing.
Lighting – There is an abundant use of natural lighting within
the home leaving much of the setting dim and sometimes
hard to see. When Billy is seen performing at the conclusion
of the film in his moment of triumph all lights point to him.
Introduced to the main protagonist and his carefree childlike innocence and establishes the bildungsroman genre.
There is diegetic music playing from the record player in his
home which he begins to play with delicacy and care “I was
dancing when I was twelve” symbolic connection to Billy and
foreshadows his future success as a ballet dancer in his adult
years using a cyclical narrative.
Establishes the emotional connection billy has with dancing
and his happiness. He’s playful innocence’s serves as an
escape and a contrast to hegemonic masculinity of the male
dominated mining industry in Durham.
Segue
(in music and film) move
without
interruption
from one piece of music
or scene to another.
Mise-en-scene
The arrangement of the
scenery, props, costume
etc. on the stage of a
theatrical production or
on the set of a film.
A
composition
of
elements that make up a
scene and creates an
overall impression.
Establishing
Sequence
An establishing shot is
a shot in filmmaking or
television that sets up
the context for the scene
ahead, designed to
inform the audience
where the action will be
taking place. It shows
the
relationship
between people and
objects and establishes
the scene's geography.
A narrative that begins The film begins with a young Billy Elliot dancing in his
and ends in the same or bedroom to diegetic music playing from his record player.
a similar way.
The film then ends with an adult Billy Elliot being the lead
Cyclical
Narrative
Camera Angles
The camera shot angle is
used to specify the
location
where
the camera is placed to
take a shot. The position
of the camera in relation
to the subjects can affect
the way the viewer
perceives the scene.
A
reaction
shot is
a shot which cuts away
from the main scene in
order
to
show
the reaction of
a
character to it, a basic
unit of film grammar.
Soundtrack
A recording of the
musical accompaniment
of a film which often aids
in provoking emotion or
further establishing a
scene.
Irony
A state of affairs or an
event
that
seems
deliberately contrary to
what one expects and is
often wryly amusing as a
result.
A conversation between
two or more people as a
feature of a book, play,
or film.
Dialogue
dancer in a production of Swan Lake. Representing his
success and that his initial love and passion of dance has
been fulfilled.
Cross Cutting Reaction Shot – When Mrs Wilkinson tells
Billy’s family that he has promising talent Billy jumps up onto
his dining room table and the use of high and low angled
frequently cut shots symbolising the agitation and inner
turmoil contained within him when his two differing world
collide. It then cuts between Billy struggling to scale the wall,
blocking his ears and covering his face to Tony, Mrs.
Wilkinson and Jackie arguing.
Close up shot (intimate distance) – The proxemic range of
the camera when dancing provides the feeling of live and
comfort Billy feels when dancing.
Cross Cut – The cross cut technique is used to switch
between Billy at ballet class and Tony and Jackie protesting
for the miners, these scene having contrasting emotion and
tone.
POV Shot – When Billy enters the hall for boxing his eyes are
immediately drawn to the ballerinas illustrating his desire to
dance and the distance which stands between him and his
passion.
Tracking Shot – At the end of the film when adult Billy is
about to perform a tracking shot follows behind him to build
suspense as it is our first glimpse into his transition and the
final step of his journey.
The use of non-diegetic music throughout the film expresses
Billy’s emotions and his love of dance and is a central aspect
to the storyline. Using music and dance as a means of
escapism from the life his brother and father expect him to
live and further the social and gender norms.
The girls in the shot are assisting to drag a piano into the hall
whilst wearing tutus. The irony of this shot lies in contrast
between the social expectation of women and the
assumption that ballerinas are delicate is challenged by the
girls working together to bring the piano into the boy’s
environment.
“you’re a disgrace to them gloves, your father, and the
traditions of this boxing hall” – The dialogue indicates Billy’s
performance in boxing has been poor previously and his
coach has become frustrated with him. The social
expectation of Billy’s adhering to a particular identity is clear
through this dialogue. It is also evident that Billy is unable to
fulfil this perceived identity.
Essay Plans:
Q1: How is determination required for success? Discuss in relation to Billy Elliot.
THESIS: The determination to push forward and overcome adversity is essential for the achievement
of one’s goals and thereby success. Success can be measured by the level of commitment involved
and the results which come with such efforts.
P1 – Pursuit of Dreams:
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Establish sequence – Introduces the context to the audience and reinforcing the coming of
age genre (bildungsroman).
Mise en Scene / Juxtaposition – The setting which is established is heightened by the
arrangement of the set and forms a clear tone overall impression for the scene. With Billy
being juxtaposed to his town through costuming and placement. Exceeding his expectations
of the miners and pursing his dreams.
POV Camera Shot – A POV shot is used when Billy is in the boxing hall as it illustrates his desire
to dance denoting his longing to be with the ballerina’s.
P2 – Defying Gender Stereotypes:
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Close-Cut Shot (Reaction) / Dialogue – Billy and his father have a heated argument due to
Billy’s interest in ballet and skipping boxing. Jackie says that “boys don’t do ballet” reinforcing
the connotations that surround boys in female dominated sports.
Climax / Reaction Shot – The ‘dance of defiance’ scene in which Billy performs for his father
and confronts him and thus the gender roles holding him back.
Symbolism – Billy’s ballet shoes become a visual motif which symbolises his passion for dance
and his progression of self-acceptance.
Irony – The ballerina’s assist in bringing in the piano into the sports hall in their tutu’s thereby
challenging the expectations of women.
P3 – Achievement and Triumph:
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Allusion / Foreshadowing – Swan Lake is often referred to throughout the film foreshadowing
his final moment of triumph.
Tracking Shot – At the end of the film when adult Billy is about to perform a tracking shot
follows behind him to build suspense as it is our first glimpse into his transition and the final
step of his journey.
Cut Shot – In the final scene Billy leaps into the air the camera cuts to Jackie in a moment of
awe admiring the achievements of his son as he apricates the dedication Billy put into
perfecting his craft.
Cyclical Narrative – A cyclical narrative is used to illustrate how far Billy had come and how his
success came from his hard work and dedication.
Q2: How does Billy Elliot invite us to see the world differently and challenge our assumptions?
THESIS: The anomalies of the human experience entices viewers to confront their personal
assumptions and challenges their already ingrained beliefs on others in society.
P1 (Context) – Establishing Sequence / Mise en Scene / Soundtrack / Foreshadowing – The opening of
the film presents Billy as a carefree boy and reinforces the Bildungsroman genre. With the song Cosmic
Dance by T. Rex places within the scene as diegetic music from the record player foreshadowing his
future success. Billy is also in contrast with his surroundings of the mining smog with his yellow shirt
and bedroom walls as costuming establishes the emotional connection Billy has with dancing and how
it brings him joy. As the film uses music and dance as a means of escapism from the life his brother
and father expect him to live and further the social and gender norms.
P2 – Social Constructions and Stereotypes:
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Compositional Juxtaposition – Billy’s passion and internal desire to dance is juxtaposed with
the political turmoil of the miner crisis.
Dialogue – “You’re a disgrace to them gloves, your father, and the traditions of this boxing
hall” –> The dialogue indicates that Billy’s poor performance in boxing means he isn’t adhering
to the societal expectations placed upon him.
Irony – The ballerina’s assist in bringing in the piano into the sports hall in their tutu’s thereby
challenging the expectations of women.
P3 – Pursuit and Acceptance:
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Allusion / Foreshadowing – Swan Lake is often referred to throughout the film foreshadowing
his final moment of triumph.
Tracking Shot – At the end of the film when adult Billy is about to perform a tracking shot
follows behind him to build suspense as it is our first glimpse into his transition and the final
step of his journey.
Cut Shot – In the final scene Billy leaps into the air the camera cuts to Jackie in a moment of
awe admiring the achievements of his son as he apricates the dedication Billy put into
perfecting his craft.
Cyclical Narrative – A cyclical narrative is used to illustrate how far Billy had come and how his
success came from his hard work and dedication.
Q3: Analyse how the film Billy Elliot allow for significant and meaningful connection to be drawn from
the story. (Rough translation of trial question)
THESIS: The inherent need to experience meaningful connections in one’s life, whether that be to
people, places or beliefs are the fundamental aspects of a fulfilled human experience. Through
developing closely knit connections with others or uncovering the beliefs which draw you forward in
life will allow for your most authentic self to be put forth in the world.
P1 (Context) – Establishing Sequence / Mise en Scene / Soundtrack / Foreshadowing – The opening of
the film presents Billy as a carefree boy and reinforces the Bildungsroman genre. With the song Cosmic
Dance by T. Rex places within the scene as diegetic music from the record player foreshadowing his
future success. Billy is also in contrast with his surroundings of the mining smog with his yellow shirt
and bedroom walls as costuming establishes the emotional connection Billy has with dancing and how
it brings him joy. As the film uses music and dance as a means of escapism from the life his brother
and father expect him to live and further the social and gender norms.
P2 – Dysfunctional family
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Visual Motif (Caged wire) – Billy and his father are often distant from each other in scenes,
this placement of characters act as a reoccurring symbolic motif for the distance they have
and the lack of nurture in their relationship.
Close-Cut Shot (Reaction) / Dialogue – Billy and his father have a heated argument due to
Billy’s interest in ballet and skipping boxing. Jackie says that “boys don’t do ballet” reinforcing
the connotations that surround boys in female dominated sports.
Montage – The montage of scenes compiled of Billy’ success in ballet as he achieves his
pirouette and is told to “prepare” is juxtaposed with the turmoil experienced by his family at
the miner’s strike. These scenes are compiled together to amplify the tense state they’re in
and the determination they share.
P3 – Anguish due to unacceptance
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Cross Cutting Reaction Shot – When Mrs Wilkinson tells Billy’s family that he has promising
talent Billy jumps up onto his dining room table and the use of high and low angled frequently
cut shots symbolising the agitation and inner turmoil contained within him when his two
differing world collide. It then cuts between Billy struggling to scale the wall, blocking his ears
and covering his face to Tony, Mrs. Wilkinson and Jackie arguing.
Visual Motif (Cubical) – Overwhelmed by his need to choose he confines himself in a cubical
symbolising the pressure he is under and the feelings of entrapment. The cubical also
represents a place of privacy as he can think clearer alone.
Characterisation – Billy becomes to grow frustrated with the people around him. In the
journey to find himself he is influenced by the people around him being told what to do and
who to be.
P4 – Pursuit of Dreams
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Allusion / Foreshadowing – Swan Lake is often referred to throughout the film foreshadowing
his final moment of triumph.
Tracking Shot – At the end of the film when adult Billy is about to perform a tracking shot
follows behind him to build suspense as it is our first glimpse into his transition and the final
step of his journey.
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Cut Shot – In the final scene Billy leaps into the air the camera cuts to Jackie in a moment of
awe admiring the achievements of his son as he apricates the dedication Billy put into
perfecting his craft.
Cyclical Narrative – A cyclical narrative is used to illustrate how far Billy had come and how his
success came from his hard work and dedication.