2. DEFINE THE TERM ‘FORM’
‘Form’ is a term normally used to denote the shape or mode in which social realist texts exist however the
term also refers to the types and kinds and ‘arrangement of parts’.
3. DEFINE THE TERM ‘STYLE’
• The term style refers to aesthetic devices used by film-makers and the artistic choices they make. These
aspects are commonly used amongst social realist film- makers. They help show the workings of society
4. WHAT DOES ‘FORM AND STYLE’ REFER TO?
• Form and style refer to elements within the text, though it is important to note that they may be
informed by practise, politics and content.
5. WHAT ARE THE 4 LEVELS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN
USING THE TERM ‘FORM’
1. Social realism is a form of realism
2. This is confirmed by William’s four-fold conception
3. Social realism is secular in that it focuses on British cinema, and its characters are linked to place or
environment.
4. Finally social realist texts have contemporary settings that is to say they comment or critique some
aspect of life as it was when a film was produced.
6. WHAT DOES SOCIAL REALISM FOCUS ON?
• As commented on in the previous slide, social realism specifically focuses on British cinema and its
characters which are inextricably linked to place or environment.
7. WITH SOCIAL REALISM TEXTS, WHAT IS IT THEY
COMMENT ON?
• Social realist texts have contemporary settings that is to say they comment or critique some aspect of
life as it was when the film was produced.
8. NAME A ‘CONCEPTION’ OF ‘FORM’ IN TERMS OF
SOCIAL REALISM
• A conception in terms of social realism is considered a variety of artistic forms which employ social
realist practises and techniques.
9. WHY DO FILM THEORISTS THINK SOCIAL REALISM IS
AN ISSUE?
• For some theorists, it is purely an issue of ‘form’ in that is a term which allows us to distinguish between
fantasy, experimental film, animation, and so on.
10. ELABORATE ON HOW SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS HAVE
VARIED WIDELY
• Social realist texts have been quite varied since the documentary shorts from britan in the 1930s. From
documentary series, to soap operas to reality tv. Social realist texts have been a big thing and they are
only getting bigger.
11. DESCRIBE THE LINKS BETWEEN TV AND CINEMA
• For John Hill, any links or differences between TV and Cinema have been long abandoned since all
cinema has become dependant on TV and video for funding and revenues
12. WHAT TERMS HAVE BEEN LABELLED TO THE WAY BRITISH
SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH EXHIBITING
• A distinct preference for content over style. This led to the label ‘kitchen sink’ a term used to describe
their drab representations
13. EXTEND THE DESCRIPTION ON THE TERM ‘POETIC
REALISM’
• The term was influenced by the work of Humphrey Jennings, whose own work is a good example of
what Higson sees as a undercurrent to the educative-sociologistic tendency within the movement which
acknowledged and fore grounded the aesthetic aspects of the texts
14. WHY IS STYLE IN BRITISH SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS NOT
SO SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS
• It is not as simple as presenting a ‘slice of life’ the social realism style has been employed across a range
of genres. Specific stylistic concerns were utilitiesed at different times by different film-makers. The use
of certain styles in camera work, iconography, editing etc… all add up to make a great film but only
when used correctly and professionally.
