This document discusses how the media product uses and develops the codes and conventions of social realism. It summarizes how the short film trailer adheres to conventions through realistic locations, typical casual costumes, unknown local actors, issues like drugs and crime, natural lighting, handheld camerawork, fast editing, simple titles, and sans serif fonts. The trailer aims to look and feel authentic to portray everyday life realistically and engage audiences with suspense through dark tones and mystery.

1. Question 1
In what ways does your media
product us , develop or challenge
the codes and conventions of
real media products?
By Paige Hadaway

2. Mise en scene
S , C , A , L ,P
• When thinking about my short film trailer I wanted to ensure I tried to follow the conventions as closely as
possible to real social realism texts within the media. To begin I ensured that the locations that I shot in were real
life place such as council estates or parks as oppose to a studio set up , the reason for this being the more
realistic the setting is the more accurate the film feels for the target audience in terms of real life. This was
important as it links to the theory of the uses and gratifications, some indidiviuals may watch films for a sense of
escapism, this looks at the way they are entertained by what they are consuming and how it enables them to
temporally forget about worries.
• In terms of costume I stuck to typical conventions by dressing my cast in typical casual wear such as tracksuits ,
jeans and branded hoodies. This was fitting to my film genre as the characters nearly always had their hoods up
when outside which shows they may want to hide their identity which links to the stereotypical idea of social
realism and gang culture. I also wanted to reflect the mood of the trailer wihtin the clothing worn by the
characters to do so I used all dark or grey colors which connotes a feeling of deep sadness or anger.
• The actors I used within my production were people from near the area that my trailer was set in , this helps it to
look more realistic as they had the correct accent and style for the stereotype of people I wanted to portray. I
also used non professional unknown actors which is something that commonly is used in social realism
productions as it gives a much more authentic feel . Many British social realism films also cannot afford popular
or famous actors to be within their movies due to a low budget , similar to my own production. Also when filming
with the cast I used a script in which was very short with not a lot of speech involved this not only gave a feeling
of mystery to the trailer it matches the convention of some social realism films having semi-improvised scripts to
make it more realistic like real life conversations.
• When thinking about lighting within my trailer I felt it was essential to include some Low key lighting and scenes
shot in the dark as they help to give certain connotations about the characters. It may also help the audience to
be active rather than passive , by getting them to question why they are out at night. When low key or dark
lighting is used it often signifies that something awful may be about to happen , this again helps to engage the
audience leaving them with a feeling of suspense. I also used all natural lighting when filming which again helps
to make it look as realistic as possible due to the normal lighting.
• When it comes to Props and the storyline within my media production I wanted to follow the stereotypical idea
for social realism conventions by adding issues such as drug abuse and street crime within the trailer. This helps
to reflect on problems in which a wide range of people are affected in particular portraying youth as criminals.

3. Sound
• When following codes and conventions of my genre I realized that sound is extremely important in any
production as it helps to set the next scene , introduce the mood of the scene or introduce props. As my
film is based around gang culture. I thought by adding music of a particular subculture would add effect in
a way that allows the audience to become aware of the lifestyle that is lead by characters, as well as
allowing them to become aware of social issues surrounding the subculture and adding a sense of
realism to the film.
• When adding non diegetic sound effects to my trailer I wanted to ensure I had included familiar sounds
such as a dog barking in the distance of the town and sirens. This gives the audience connotations of
disruption or chaos within the characters life as well as making them aware that it is normal everyday life.

4. Camera
When filming my production I wanted to be as creative as possible in terms of camera shots and
angles however as social realism is such a simplistic and realistic movie genre I didn't’t want to make it
too unrealistic. I decided to use a handheld shot in fast paced or fighting scenes as it helps to add
effect of intensity and heighten the feeling of tension in which is normally apparent within a social
realism genre
I decided to use Establishing/ wide shots a lot within my trailer. Especially at the beginning as it helps
not only to capture the mood of the scene but also to show the audience what type of place the main
character is entering or coming from which is important within the genre of social realism. I also
included some Close up and over the shoulder shots within my trailer to allow the audience to see the
emotions on the characters faces and body language.

5. Editing
• When editing my clips together for my production I thought a lot about what effects I should use within my
credits and titles. Many social realism productions revolve around simple every life. Not over complicating
the editing was key top my trailer as because social realism relies a lot upon the interactions between
people and activates that are happening. A distracting title would not be desirable. So instead to stick to
the conventions I used effects such as simple fades , dissolves or wipes and my titles were relatively
simple.
• Short fast paced clips and short shot lengths help to indicate fast paced drama which work well
alongside with my choice of music which is has a fast tempo and strong bass , which helps to add
suspense and danger to the scenes.
• I used many fades to black in between shots to help give the extra impact of the next scene as well as
dissolves throughout to allow for a show in passing of time or passing of events. Many film trailers
include short clips or scenes a in order to not give too much away , as my production was a trailer it was
important for me to stick to the style of trailers. This meant the fast paced editing would draw the
audience in With a feeling of suspense hopefully making them want to watch the full film.

6. Ancillary tasks and how the codes and
conventions of them match my genre of film
?
• The font of social realism is nearly always a sans serif , as this genre usually deals with the working and
lower class, a serif font would be too professional and middle class. This style of fonts are also usually
used because it looks like less effort has gone into it, and laziness is a stereotype of the working class,
especially in films. When creating both my film poster advertisement and my magazine front cover I
ensured to use a bold sans serif font. To help stick to the style and genre of my trailer. I always tried to
include as dark colours as possible in the background images as dark and dull colours connote an angry
mood or danger. However When creating my magazine I wanted to ensure it was a little brighter and not
as dull as the poster as it would help to catch peoples eye a little better, hopefully making people want to
purchase it.