The Art of Transformation - Group Treatment

Scene 1 (Opening Scene)

Medium close Up of Elliott Barnicle who is looking straight into the camera as if the camera was a mirror. He is shirtless. As his voice over tells us about drag being an art form and that the first experiences with this lifestyle was quite scary, without giving away that he is actually talking about drag, the camera presents us close ups of his wardrobe, shoes and make up. The camera goes back and forth showing the medium close up of Elliott as well as the close ups of his surroundings. The scene closes through a clear cut by the screen going black. The title ‘The Art of Transformation’ is then being presented on the black background.

Scene 2

The camera shows Elliott entering a shop in Birmingham from outside the shop. As soon as he walks through the door the camera angle changes and presents him entering the shop from inside the shop, where Elliott walks towards the camera. From the moment Elliott is in the shop, his voice over tells us the story about his first night doing ‘full on drag’. It becomes clear that ‘it just didn’t feel right’ for him. Meanwhile, the camera follows him rummaging through clothes and shows Elliott shopping from through the shop-window. Scene two ends with a full shot of Elliott’s reflection in the mirror. He is looking into the mirror trying on clothes. This shot is a transition to scene three (mirror to mirror).

Scene 3

We see Elliott looking into the mirror putting on make up from over his shoulder. Afterwards a close up is presented of the make up brush being put into the powder. The camera angle is being changed once more, presenting a medium shot of Elliott from the side putting on make up. The voice over tells us about his starting point and progress regarding drag as well as make up (‘It all started with a little bit of eye shadow’).

Scene 4

Scene four focuses on the story Elliott has to tell about the resistance he had to overcome because of his lifestyle. The voice over tells us about negative confrontations he had with his family, friends, and members of the LGBT community. While explaining this, Elliott is getting dressed in drag/club kid style for a party. Close ups of him putting tights and high heels on or cutting wholes into his shirt in order to make it a mesh t-shirt are being displayed.

Scene 5

From behind, we see Elliott walking to the club venue with his friends all dressed up. In a voice over, Elliott talks about his passion for drag/club kid and his lifestyle. The more positive side of his lifestyle is being presented. We will come to know what drives him to live this lifestyle and why it is worth it to him. Shots of Elliott and his friends partying in the club are presented.

Scene 6 (Closing Scene)

The closing scene starts with a medium close up of Elliott looking straight into the camera just as in the beginning, also shirtless, but with full on club kid make up. Now, for the first time, Elliott is talking directly into the camera presenting his strong ending statement. Then the screen goes black.

Our documentary wants to highlight the fact that every individual, whether leading an ordinary or extraordinary lifestyle, can find its place in society. The audience is not supposed to feel sorry for Elliott due to the resistance he had to overcome in respect of his sexuality and lifestyle but rather be inspired by his story. Furthermore, the audience is not expected to understand his lifestyle but to accept and acknowledge that there are people finding their fulfillment in something unconventional.