Billy Elliot

Technique/scene or
character
Effect Created Additional Material
Techniques/Scene or
Character
Effect Created
When Billy is taking he
is taking his anger out
by dancing and kicking
a wall.
This scene
demonstrates how he
had a barrier that was
blocking him from
what he truly wanted.
Whilst it is a physical
wall it represents that
no matter how hard he
tried he couldnt break
down the prejudice
that people have about
him not being
masculine enough and
breaking his familys
tradition.
The audience has
sympathy for Billy
Elliot because he is
unable to follow his
dreams and is blocked
by most blue collar
workers in his area. I.E.
friends and family.
Link to Concept Because at this stage in
the film Billy is only
just starting show the
audience that he is
talented it shows that
he is going into the
world through him
being confident
enough and mature
enough to be himself
The wall represents
the prejudice and
stereotypical thoughts
of everyone around
him. This shows him
going into the world in
a way that the world
isnt a fair, forgiving
place and Billy is
learning how people
will judge him without
knowing him.
Whilst many people
may judge Billy at first
sight the concept is
shown how at
throughout the world
as he grows up he will
be blocked by various
obstacles that are
metaphorical and
physical.
When Billy first starts
doing ballet in the
boxing hall
He is realising that his
usual stereotypical
thoughts about ballet
were wrong and that it
can actually be
enjoyable.
A significant prop that
was used in this scene
is his boxing boots. He
still does ballet with
them on showing that
he is still hesitant
about doing ballet.
This represents Billys
first step towards
doing something for
himself and not doing
it just to please others.
Link to Concept His stereotypical
thoughts are being
broken down which
like his transition from
one side of the boxing
hall to the other are
being changed slowly
but surely.
When Billy is doing
ballet in his boxing
boots and then the
teacher gives him the
ballet shoes he realises
that he is actually
changing himself by
doing ballet and
opposing the
stereotypical thoughts
of his father and the
socioeconomic
surroundings.
Billy is changing
mentally because the
world around him is
not what he wants
because it is cracked
and unstable, but
when he does ballet he
is able to feel secure
and a sense of stability
which contrasts his
everyday life.
When Billy and his
teacher are driving to
his audition and she is
retelling the story of
Swan Lake to him.
This scene is describing
to the responder a
metaphorical
representation of
Billys not so prefect
life.
The soundtrack that is
playing in the
background coupled
with the desolate
scenery furthermore
emphasises the
The audience now fully
realises that Billy may
not be able to achieve
what he hopes for and
him breaking the
stereotypes may be in
concept of Billy having
to struggle to get what
he wants, and there
being no definite
evidence that he will in
fact succeed.
vain.
Link to Concept The assumption is that
Billy will succeed but
when the story of
Swan Lake is brought
up it shows how there
is a very real possibility
of him failing even
though he may have
matured and been
physically into the
world.
This scene represents
Billy going into the
world through a
physical journey across
the river, as well as an
emotionally draining
journey across the
river, that represents a
metaphorical
boundary between his
house hold life and a
finer better existence.
The effect of a direct
physical journey is
shown here in
conjunction with an
emotional journey.
This scene doesnt
particularly make
sense in the aspect of
sequence of events but
even so it is one of the
most important,
emotive scenes.
Final scene when Billy
comes on stage
This scene creates the
effect that Billy has
finally succeeded and
been able to achieve
something great.
The ballet that billy is
in is Swan Lake and it is
traditionally a feminine
ballet. By Billy being in
the opening act of the
play it shows how he
has challenged the
stereotypes and has
overcome the
prejudice.
This effect is that after
a long physical a
mentally challenging
journey there is a
possibility of success at
the end. Whilst not
everyone will succeed
it is still possible to if
you try hard enough.
Link to Concept The concept of into the
world is demonstrated
here through the fact
that success is
possible. Billy has gone
physically to a new
place and also he has
grown in maturity and
emotionally.
Because Swan Lake is a
feminine story and
Billy is playing the main
role it demonstrates
how he is still able to
be confident and
doesnt worry about
what people think of
him.
This becomes
significant because the
audience realises that
the Billy still is
following his dream
and able to rise above
the accusations and
prejudices of the
people of his home
town.