A visual character study

Black Swan

01 / The role

Meet Nina

Nina, a disciplined ballerina, is cast as the Swan Queen in a new production of Swan Lake. The role asks her to perform two different identities: the pure and controlled White Swan, and the seductive and dangerous Black Swan.

Her experience makes her a natural White Swan. As rehearsals intensify, the pressure to become the Black Swan begins to blur the boundary between performance and self.

02 / The split

Two Masks
Two Selves

Choose a mask to see how each side shapes Nina’s performance.

The mask she knows

White Swan

Built on precision, obedience, and exact control. Every line is polished until fragility looks effortless.

disciplinedprecisefragilepure

03 / Other voices

What She Is Expected to Be

Each voice adds another piece to the mask Nina believes she must wear.

The artistic director says
“Not so controlled. Seduce us.”

Her mother asks
“What happened to my sweet girl?”

04 / The reflection

What She Sees in the Mirror

As Nina tries to become the Swan Queen, she returns to the mirror to find her place. Select a moment to follow the reflection as it changes beside her.

Checking the Body

At first, Nina uses the mirror to check and correct every movement.

Trying on Another Image

In Beth’s dressing room, Nina tries on her lipstick and tests the image of the principal dancer.

The Body Changes

Scratches appear across her back, and her body changes in ways she cannot explain or control.

Beyond Her Control

The reflection stops following Nina’s movements and becomes something with a will of its own.

Breaking the Reflection

Believing the figure in the mirror is threatening her, Nina attacks the reflection and shatters the glass.

05 / The final performance

Becoming the Swan Queen

During the final performance, Nina discovers that she has wounded herself and continues dancing until the ballet is complete. She finally becomes both swans, while the perfect performance costs her the ability to separate the roles from herself.

Two original white and black feathers frame Nina’s final words: I feel it. Perfect. It was the perfect.