Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out Documentary Analysis

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This documentary is very serious and tear jerking, it really opens the viewers eyes making it clear to them that being a celebrity isn't all it's made out to be.

Straight away in this documentary the non-diegetic music creates an emotional tone, making the audience well aware that this is a serious documentary, dealing with real issues.

The opening mid-shot of Jesy's back suggests that she lacks self-confidence, and is in a vulnerable position, which later turns out to be very true.

Her non-diegetic voiceover is also projected in a very serious manner. Her first sentence is about winning the X-Factor, and therefore as an audience we expect her to be reminiscing on it in a happy, positive way as it's an incredible achievement, however we quickly learn (through the use of the dialogue) that this is not the case.

The throwback footage of Jesy performing, helps remind the audience who she was, what she did and what she's famous for. The voiceover explains how brutal the X-Factor viewers were and how negatively they responded to her as an individual. This is shocking for the viewers as the throwback footage projects her as a powerful, talented teenage girl.

Jesy lists some of the comments made by viewers such as 'she deserves to die' this is an awful thing to say and is really quite gobsmacking, which is why I think they left a slight pause in the clip as they wanted to give the audience a moment to digest the vile insult, emphasising the vulnerability of Jesy making us pity and feel sorry for her. However during this pause we see more comments being typed suggesting that Jesy never got a break from the bullying and insults.

Jesy continues to talk, non-diegetic music continues to play and vile texts continue to be displayed which again suggests that Jesy can't get away from the negatively. She's a young girl who feels trapped, insure and vulnerable.

Jesy herself makes a comment, which links to the title of the documentary 'Odd One Out' Jesy states that she wasn't known as just a singer from Little Mix but she was known as the fat, ugly one differentiating her from not only the public but also her friends.

There are 2 similar shots of Jesy getting her make up done, one is taken from the left and one is taken from the right which again implies that she's being targeted form all angles. Also the fact that she's getting her make up done suggests that she's trying to hide and cover herself up, which is heartbreaking for the viewers to see. These shots are also quite blurry which again indicates that she doesn't want to be seen.

The input of Jade (another Little Mix member) is given, and she continues to explain the vulnerable state in which her friend which was in, the fact that Jesy's mood and persona changed since taking part in the X-factor is really difficult and upsetting for not only Jesy to come to grips with but for also her friends and family.

Not once in so far in the entire clip have we seen Jesy smile or show one sign of happiness, proving to us just how sad she truly is.

Jesy opens up to the viewers saying how she tried to change, she lost weight and wanted to look good, she wanted the public to notice a change, she wanted a positive response, however it carried on, breaking Jesy even more.

We then see a montage of nature images as Jesy gives a Voiceover over the top, this suggest that Jesy doesn't want to be in the clip, she doesn't want to be seen, she's had enough and she's hiding which is really upsetting for us as an audience to see.

This is followed by a close up of Jesy crying, this shot allows us to see her full emotions making the documentary even more heartbreaking.

A black screen appears for a split second before return to Jesy again, suggesting that even when Jesy does think it's all over another vile comment is made, pushing her back even further.

Jesy includes the audience as she asks them a question 'have you ever been heartbroken?' this engages the viewers and allows them to relate to Jesy in some ways.

We then return to a mid-shot of Jade who is now also crying, this makes the documentary even more upsetting, as we can see that it's not only Jesy these horrible comments are hurting, it's also her friends.

A poetic mode is used as we see recent images and clips of Jesy going through therapy, there's no dialogue at this point in the documentary just settling non-diegetic music, this gives the audience hope that Jesy is feeling happier and perhaps getting over her horrendous experience.

Theres a mid-shot of Jesy sat with other teenagers, this suggests that perhaps she's gaining friends which is helping to boost her confidence. Jesy is the only person who's in focus in this shot, helping to show us as well as Jesy that she is important, and for the first time we get a slight smile from Jesy hinting to us that things are getting better.

Jesy then looks through old photos, not from the X-Factor, not from Little Mix but from her childhood and starts reminiscing on happy, enjoyable times.

Theres a mid-shot of Jesy on a beach and she talks about how social media has destroyed her, this natural mise-en-scene represents purity, truth and goodness, things that Jesy wants to be around, not negatively and abuse which she gets through her phone.

Jesy goes on to talk about how she posts photos online for other peoples approval this is sad for us as an audience to hear, however for some viewers this may be relatable and therefore Jesy may be someone they can connect and understand with.

Jesy later becomes an inspiration as she posts an old photo of herself from when she took part in the X-Factor, she explains to us how 6 months ago this would have given her anxiety and stress, emphasising the fact that feels happier, giving others who are struggling hope that things can get better.

Her mum appears in a mid-shot as she tells us how excited she is to get the old Jesy back, this warms the hearts of the viewers, as we are able to see how is now Jesy changing in a positive way.

The end of the documentary shows us how happy Jesy is now, there's clips of her and her boyfriend, clips of her smiling, clips of her not giving a care, she gives us advise and promises us that things do get better, this makes us as an audience feel happy as we saw Jesy at her lowest and we got the opportunity to see her transform herself into this smiley, bubbly girl that she once was.

This documentary is very heart aching. We as audience are drawn in and we feel exclusive and privileged as Jesy opens up and shares her thoughts and feelings with us, it also encourages us to talk about our own emotions and helps us to believe that things can get better.