"The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off" - Patrick Collerton

The story follows the last days of a man, Jonny Kennedy, who has a rare genetic disease dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa - who eventually became diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The documentary was very gripping - in such a way I almost felt it was so bizarre it can't be true.

To start the documentary, we see Jonny in has casket - v/o done prior to his death telling his thoughts. We then start on a journey where we follow his last days and sharing his mixed emotions with him.

There were a few specific things I picked up on regarding techniques involved -

• music was very mellow and calm, overall it was almost soothing and soul calming to watch - this was a twist as you would most expect the audio to be sort of sad and well, not comforting to say the least - this re-emphazises how much a difference audio makes
• have the character being engaged in a conversation - trying to hard to tell your viewers what the character now seems to me like a 'i don't know what to do, so i should play safe' type - let the audience decide and judge your character
• when talking about the background, it could be useful sometimes if montages of photos were used

The documentary sent me on an emotional journey as we see his ups and downs that he has to deal with on a daily basis. Roughly about half way through we were given details on change of dressings on his back and we see him in a lot of pain - and for the first time in the whole documentary we see our character with his head down being in so much pain.

That was a twist, a really big twist.

Somehow you knew the weaker inner self is there, but the positivity is so strong (up to this point) it then becomes almost unbearable to watch our heroic character being in pain - that is contrast very well done. You set them up high, and get them down low.

Being an inspiring documentary, the mood soon gets picked up again - tending towards the end, music were not only mellow and soothing, the beats actually started to pick up - almost as if metaphorically making the undefiable death as a relief as we find out more about his dilemma on the views of trying to stay alive.

Right at the end, the funeral was shown, and we all attended, having Jonnys' favourite music played - Queen-Don't Stop Me Now - which again, a total mis-match for the occasion.

But that again, is the contrast card that will ensure this story will stay in your heart now and always.

All in all, it was a well shot documentary, and I as the viewer had been taught a lesson I won't forget - treasure what you have.

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/B/boy_whose_skin_fell_off/index.html