Page "Boys Don't Cry (film)" Paragraph 10

Swank underwent significant preparation for the role by dressing and living as a man for at least a month, including wrapping her chest in tension bandages and putting socks down the front of her pants in much the same way as Brandon Teena had done.

Her masquerade became particularly convincing.

Swank's neighbors believed the " young man " coming and going from her home was Swank's visiting brother.

She reduced her body fat to seven percent to accentuate her facial structure and refused to let the cast and crew see her out of costume.

Swank earned only $ 75 per day for her work on Boys Don't Cry, culminating in a total of $ 3, 000.

Her earnings were so low that she did not earn enough to qualify for health insurance.