Billy Elliot is an 11-year old boy in 1980s Britain who secretly takes ballet lessons against his father's wishes. With help from his teacher, Billy works hard and earns a spot at the Royal Ballet School in London. The film had a small British budget but was a box office success, following Working Title Films' formula of a low-budget British story with a feel-good resolution.

1. Working Title FIlms
(WTF)

2. Plot
Billy Elliot, an 11 year old boy is taken to his local gymnasium by his father to try out
boxing. Billy hates it immediately, but is instead drawn to the ballet class also taking
place in the gym. Due to the gender roles back in the 80’s, a male doing ballet was not
considered the norm. However, this was Billy’s dream, so therefore, he goes against
his father’s will without him knowing and secretly joins the class. With the help of his
teacher (Julie Walters) Billy is able to keep this secret, and in time his teacher believes
he is ready to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London. Now the talented young
Billy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his
family.

3. Facts
• British Film set in Northern Ireland
• Budget £3 million ($5 million)
• Box office £72,853,509 ($109,280,263)
• All British cast

4. Formula
• The British working title film Billy Elliot, grossed a high and smashed box office
records at the time due to it’s similar formula to other working title movies.
The Formula consists of;
• British Cast (predominantly white)
• Low budget of up to ($35million)
• Middle class Briton ( which is shown in Billy Elliot, Ballet, Royal Ballet Academy etc)
• Feel good factor (Billy gets his dream)
• Excecutive Producer Natascha Wharton (also did Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz,
Paul..)

5. • fin

6. • fin