Documentary Analysis - The Boy who was a Girl

Type of Documentary:
Mixed/ Self Reflective

Themes:
Gender

Stereotypes
Confusion

Narrative Structure:

Closed - The girl Natasha becomes a boy “John”

Linear - The documentary shows how “John” develops in time order

Camerawork:

Establishing shot of detached houses which suggest the documentary is set in a middle class area

A handheld camera is used throughout the documentary to make the audience seem more involved

The interviews are shot in medium close up, where the interviewee is either to the left or right of the screen with the eye line 1/3 of the way down the screen, with the background being a shallow depth of field

Low angle of “John” and mum on couch which suggests they have the power in the documentary

Zoom in off testosterone gel reinforces the development from girl to boy

Close up of ballet shoes is in contrast to the testosterone gel

High angle shot of mum which suggests that “John” has more power in the situation, which is reinforced by a long shot of “John” and his mum whereby his mum is positioned facing his back

Close up of hand on wrist which suggesting comfort and love

Over the shoulder shot of mum followed by a shot reverse shot to “John”

Long shot of doctors room with a dim lighting

Extreme close up of doctors hand writing notes

Contrast of close up of a muscular arm to a close up of “Johns” skinny arm

Extreme close up of Johns face to show final emotion of joy

Mise en Scene:
Interviews – reflecting something about life or occupation - doctor sat desk, in suit to suggest power
Contrast between semi detached houses to the city

Johns bedroom pink which conflicts with the Marilyn Manson posters and skulls

Contrast of boy in school uniform at the start to a young man in a shirt at the end

Barber shop connotes males

Sound

Voiceover – narrator is the young boy “John”

Music reflected subject matter/mood

Fast paced music in the gym

Sad music and the beginning which contrasts against the happy music at the end “Your love keeps lifting me higher” (Rod Stewart)

 

Editing: Montage - pictures from girl to boy
Cuts - most common edit in documentary

Fade to black

Archive Material:
Pictures of Natasha

Videos of Natasha and the school sports day surrounded by boys

Home Videos

Websites

Stock footage - Street, gym, and roads

Graphics:

The title of the programme reflects the subject matter by using the gender symbols within the title

Text – White, sans

The top line (name of person talking) is in bold and is slightly bigger than the second line (occupation), aligned to the left.

The pictures i have used are screenshots from the documentary.

Below is a clip from the documentary.