2. CODES AND CONVENTIONSAbout social realism
British social realism films are based around
reality and Britain's culture itself. Strong use of
iconography is a key to every British social realist
film such as past events that have occurred in
Britain, or even time periods such as the
60s/70s/80s. This genre of film is usually created
by small independent companies such as Shane
Meadows, Channel Four films, Kestrel films etc.
who hold small budgets and low production values.
Social realism is a genre that enables the audience
to empathise with the storylines and relate them to
real life scenarios. Wide social and emotional
issues are raised within this genre of film which
elaborate individual dramatic stories. Regional
identity is another key factor to the genre and Is
dependant on where the film is set, for example the
use of accent, stereotypes and mise en scene.
3. CODES AND CONVENTIONSCharacters and casting
Unlike romance and comedy films who hire A-List actors and
actresses that have been In multiple commercial films.
However, British social realism films include non-
professional/ less well known actors and actresses to enable
the film will still hold realistic values and expectations. For
example, This is England which was a film made in 2006 set in
the era of 1983 and was produced by Shane Meadows
included an British cast that were semi-professional.
This includes:
- Thomas Turgoose who played the main character “Shaun”
- Jack O’Connell who played “Pukey Nicholls
4. CODES AND CONVENTIONSShooting the film
In order to make the film successful and fit the
genre, social realism films are set on location
rather than in a studio. By doing this it creates a
sense of reality and authenticity for the film,
ticking all the codes and conventions. For example,
locations such as parks and council estates are
found within this genre of film unlike big
Hollywood sets. By the film maker doing this it
makes the film look real to the audience; allowing
them to relate to it. An example of this would
include This is England shot the film on location
around Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, using
local council and housing estates within the film.
5. CODES AND CONVENTIONSDialogue and scripts
Some British social realism films like to use semi-
improvised scripts to achieve a realistic outcome
and true-like conversation between characters.
However, this works effectively as social realism
relies on reality and every day life. For example the
film Kes which was created by Ken Loach used
semi-improvised scripts within his social realism
feature. Sound within realism films is mostly
diegetic and stays within a linear narrative.
6. CODES AND CONVENTIONSShot choices
British social realism films include a range of shots,
however wide shots are increasingly crucial to this
genre. This allows the audience to get an idea of
the surroundings and location being used.
Although in addition to this, it adds context to the
film and overall fulfilling the codes and
conventions needed to relate to the genre. For
example here is a wide shot used in the film This is
England.
7. CODES AND CONVENTIONSTechnical codes
This genre uses technical codes such as ambient
natural lighting and hand held camera shots to
ensure that the film sticks to the genre. This is a
crucial aspect for Social realism feature films
because it signifies a realistic/ documentary
experience. The stereotypical codes and
conventions of this genre of film talk about issues
such as drug abuse, street crime and antisocial
behaviour.
