Editing:
At the beginning of the sequence, it shows billy waiting in the dance hall. He is listening to Mrs Wilkison and the music playing while standing behind the metal fence. The metal fence is what seems to be the barrier between his old life and new. There is limited use of colour in this scene and for the next couple. This edit of picture reminds us that this part of his life is damaged.
However as the film continues, and notably at the bus stop scene, you soon realise that the picture is brighter. Editing was done to make the mood slightly more cheerful and hopeful due to the idea that new horizons have opened up for Billy.
After the bus starts departing, a great deal of editing occurs. The camera jumps from billy sitting on the bus to Mrs Wilkinson, to Tony then Jackie. These cuts show the situation that each character is now in. Billy is beginning a new chapter in his life and Mrs Wilkison stands alone in the dance hall. Tony and Jackie are captured entering a mine lift that illustrates a cage in which these men’s lives have and forever will be detained in. These three scenes are cut into one another and alternated until there is a final cut, which returns to Billy sitting on the bus. The camera then pans the bus, signalling that time is passing, to which then the bus becomes a train with an older Jackie and Tony sitting in it.
Acting:
Acting portrays the story, emotions and personality of a character. Acting shows the interactions of each character with one another, in order to render different relationships. The acting of Billy’s farewells can be examined to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between the certain characters.
His grandmother holds him close before she suddenly pushes him towards the door. The acting from the grandmother shows the attachment the two characters have for each other however she has now pushed him from her life and world through the door and into a new one.
Before leaving, Billy takes a long look around the kitchen. This presentation shows how Billy is sadden by the idea of leaving his home, but knows that walking through the door, will open a new world.
When billy walks out into the courtyard and starts making his way to the bus stop with his father and brother, Michael calls for him. The acting, physical actions, in this part are crucial due to the lack of words communicated. You are able to see a slight awkwardness between the two characters by the way the two young actors have interacted with one another. They know this is a goodbye, yet they have no real idea on how they would be able to say or do it. However, billy ends up grinning and kisses Michael on the cheek. These actions show the beauty of their relationship due to the way billy was able to kiss Michael on the cheek, even when it may have been considered immoral.
At the bus stop, the family farewell is an interesting part of acting. Firstly, Billy’s father holds billy as if he was a young child. The behaviour portrayed by the actors show once again the relationship Billy and Jackie have. No words are exchanged, yet this is an incredibly emotional moment for them, especially Jackie. This is shown by the actor’s crying.
Music and Sound
The pianist is playing a classical piece by Chopin, Nocturne. The music is accompanied by Ms wilkisons instructions to the girls. When Ms Wilkison and Billy are speaking to each other, the music starts off soft at the beginning of their conversation, but as there interaction progresses, the music becomes louder, nearly as loud as the volume of their voices. Once ms wilkison says her “good bye” to billy, the pianist straightaway changes the song by the closing of the door. The piece becomes a stronger more vibrant tune, however, it appears in a minor key, in order to still give a slight sad tone to it.
When the camera cuts to billy at home, the music cuts as soon as billy closes the door. This shows that he now has other goodbyes to concentrate on. No background music is present in this scene; instead, the sounds that were made by the characters are picked up. You are able to hear heavy breathing and the movements of the clothing.
No background music is present again, until the goodbye between Michael and Billy. Just as billy runs to Michael, a beautiful soft piece begins playing. This song starts sorrowful, then it brightens up in a peaceful way.
When studying the music of this scene, you soon realise that you are able to distinguish the type of goodbye and the relationship Billy had with each character. There was a different song for each goodbye. This shows that for Billy, each of the other characters were all important to him but in all different ways.
A close study of ‘Billy Elliot’ from just a short sequence in the film, shows us that there are many key elements involved in making a successful transition into a new unfamiliar or adult world. It is through cleverly using techniques such as film editing, design and the script that gives us a clear indication of the issues and the themes of determination, individual growth and support. There must be an opportunity to move into the world, but an individual needs determination and family support to be able to take advantage of that opportunity, and because of the presentation of the film, we are able to experience and understand them while watching Billy Elliot.
