Billy Elliot
Analysis template
Description of scene: Opening scene: Mood, direction of plot and characterisation is established.
Scene numbers: One, two, three
Link to Into the World focus: Billy’s natural world is established
Action
Film techniques used
Meaning conveyed
Billy puts record onto record
Extreme close up. There is no
There is a sense of anticipation.
player. He begins playing the
sound.
The audience is waiting for
song.
Costume: Billy is dressed simply, something to happen and
( to 1 min; 14 secs)
predominately in a bright yellow
wondering what it will be.
singlet. The singlet symbolises
both childhood (children wear
singlets) and his working class
background (‘working class’ men
stereotypically wear singlets). It
is also very bright, and it stands
out against the grey wash of his
natural world, suggesting that he
has promise and a bright future.
Yellow is also a natural colour, so
perhaps it suggests Billy’s desire
to be natural and true to himself.
Billy jumps on the bed. The song Song is clearly audible.
Lyrics foreshadow the theme and
is playing in the foreground.
Extreme close up of Billy’s feet
plot of the story.
Billy’s actions are in the
in the background, with the
Billy is established as the main
background.
record player in the foreground.
character of the film. He is also
(1 min; 31 secs)
Colour wash is grey.
clearly seen as a child. The colour
wash establishes the setting as
one where poverty and difficulty
are found. Not a bright, cheery
world.
Floral emblem on wall paper.
Focus on the emblem. It is
It reminds us of the unseen
repeated as a part of the wall
femininity encouraged by Billy’s
paper. It is a motif.
mother. It is repeated at the end
of the film to remind us of Billy’s
childhood.
Billy bounces on the bed.
It is a cropped shot and the
We are aware of his youthfulness
(2 min; 29 secs)
camera is still. Therefore, the
and we enjoy it. We notice that he
audience can see only the part of
cannot control his physical
his body that passes through the
movement and understand that he
vision of the camera.
is having fun, as a child should.
Sound of the bell reminding him
Juxtaposition of scenes.
Informs the audience of Billy’s
that he is preparing breakfast. He
Mise-en-scene of kitchen – busy,
adult responsibilities. We are
moves into the kitchen to
disorganised, teatowels hanging
surprised that he has the chore of
complete this task.
off ceiling, old fashioned.
preparing breakfast. We realise
Sound effects of Billy’s actions
the absence of his mother.
are added; the song is still
Mise-en-scene reinforces the
playing.
meaning conveyed by the colour
Mid shot, a lengthy shot, at eye
wash.
level.
Billy’s natural world is exposed.
Waiting to catch the toast is still
childish.
Billy jumps on the bench and is
Juxtaposition.
ready to catch the toast.
Billy opens the door with his
head. His expression is startled.
His grandmother’s bed is empty.
He exclaims when he notices the
empty bed.
(3 min; 04 secs)
Billy runs out of the kitchen.
Camera follows his feet, taking
the audience with him. Mid shot
throughout allows audience to
remain focused on Billy’s
actions.
This shot shows the audience
Billy, in his world.
He still appears childish. His
startled expression causes the
audience to anticipate the plot –
to wonder what will happen next.
His exclamation tells us that
something is wrong.
The song is important and
becomes a motif for Billy’s desire
and destiny to dance.
Song continues throughout.
Billy looks for his grandmother.
Billy’s frantic search is contrasted
with his gentleness. He touches
her and speaks to her gently. He
takes her hand.
(3 min; 37 secs)
Billy is frantic. Mid shot / close
up. Camera pans to follow his
movement.
Miners are shown in distance.
(3 mins; 57 secs)
Camera is still. Billy and
grandma walk out of camera
view. Skies are grey. Figures are
dark silhouetted. Long shot.
We notice the contrast in Billy’s
behaviour. We see him act with
sincerity and respect, which
might surprise us because he is
only a child. A contrast between
what we expect of a child and
what he is capable of. Also a
stark contrast to the
characteristics exhibited by his
father and brother later in the
film.
The audience is introduced to this
gloomy and difficult aspect of the
plot.