Genre Analysis - "The Boy Who Was Born A Girl"

Name Of Documentary: The Boy Who Was Born 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)

*Montage - pictures from girl to boyEditing:
*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.