Codes and conventions of social

realismBy Saffron Smith

Social class Social class is mainly represented through mise-en-scene, the people's clothing is a key mise-en-scene the actors wear common typical clothing that everyday people would wear it makes it a lot more relatable. Also it is mainly lower working class backgrounds that are represented in these films as it identifies the struggles in their lives which typically upper class wouldn't necessarily face and this is portrayed through the places they visit in the films and where they live usually being a bit run down and very basic.

Unknown actors

Unknown actors adds to the realistic look of the film as people won't know who they are making it seem like they're just 'real people' and not actors. Although the true reason for using non famous actors will be due to the fact that most companies that create social realism films are independent companies who can't afford famous actors. e.g. Thomas Turgoose from This is England was never an actor he was spotted on the street and put into the film.

Urban locationsStudios aren't used in the product of British social realism films, instead using actual real life urban locations, such as council estates and flats. Which makes the audience relate to the narrative of the film and characters more than they ever would when they watch a typical Hollywood production which are filmed in unrealistic studios.

Realistic issues

The issues that arise in British social realism films are what people can relate to they deal with very dramatic issues but in a way that makes the film serious about the topic issue that is faced but also the films usually add humour.

AgeTeenagers and young adults are the main target audience of these genre films, which explains why the same age range are featured in the film. It means that they can relate and create a connection with them as they can understand the issues they face or at least sympathise with them.

Semi improvised

scriptsThis helps to achieve an almost realistic dialogue as it will be someone's natural reaction to what someone has said to them. e.g. Outnumbered use this which even though is a TV film it still falls under the British social realism genre. The adults in the film completely learn the scripts and the children are given last minute instructions to try and make them give a natural reaction to what their parents say.

Regional identities Regional identities are used throughout British social realism films to identify problems within different areas in Britain. The area in which the film is set would be adjusted to by the appropriate accents and language of the accents, where the film is set and the trends within this location.

Camera features

In most British social realism films natural lighting is used and a lot of hand held camera shots which are very simplistic especially in comparison to the wide range of lighting and camera shots in Hollywood films which identifies the contrast in both of them as most Hollywood films are unrealistic fantasies usually interpreting the 'American Dream'.