Use Of Themes In British Social Realism

There is a very strong link between British Social Realism and the real world. Unlike Hollywood films Violence, Bad language, and Poverty. A story like this was heard to have happened recently in the British news of BBC where there was a young girl who was given alcohol and then raped by an older man. Events like this are typical to occur in Britain which then results in the story lines of the B.S.R films to take strong inspiration.

These themes here their storyline's are based around happy endings, riches, and fantasies, B.S.R focuses more on the serious negative downsides to life in the situations that mainly Britain and its people would get positioned in. For instance, the main downsides to the life of Britain would relate to themes such as, drugs, sex, abuse, smoking, alcohol, escapism, sex/rape, etc. An example of a British Social Realism film which expresses these themes is "Fish Tank". In Fish Tank, we are introduced to the themes of Rape, Alcohol, Child Abuse, are very unique when presenting themselves through B.S.R films due to the fact of them relating to similar events that occur in the real world such as abuse, stealing etc.

With the British audience who watch these films, they are then able to relate to them after having known of the related events that they are told about through the news regarding Britain and its crimes. By giving realistic story lines, it causes the audience to feel uncomfortable due to them already being aware of the similar stories that happen in the real world; especially in Britain.

Dark Knight- Conventions Analysis

Dark Knight (2008)

Social Realism Timeline

Production Log One

During this week, i have been analysizing and researching how British Social Realism films are created and represented as.

To do this, i have been watching other people's opening sequences and have been noting down the stengths and weakennes of their work. From looking at the mark scheme, i have realised al the very impotant elements of a opening sequence which i didnt know were. By working on these elements after reading the mak scheme, my marks will acheive higher grades which i will be more satisfied with at the end result of my work. One of the pieces of work for a opening sequence that i watched was created last year by year 13s. It was called 'Written Syria'. This piece of work achieved 52 marks out of 60 which is a very high grade for a opening sequence piece of work. Due to the amount of marks given for this piece of coursework, i anaylized all the strong conventions within the opening sequence and noted them down so that i can be able to use those strong use of elements in order to achieve a increase in marks for my own work.

After doing all this analysizing, this will create a huge impact on the production work i will create and i will be able to focus more properly on the main elements of a typical effective conventions and storylines of a British social realism film.

What is British Social Realism?

British Social Realism (B.S.R) is a unique genre of film.
                                                                                   These films always relate to the cultural relation to Britain and the locations are always mostly filmed in Britain. Most of these films are independent films due to the fact that only the citizens and audience of Britain would be able to become familiar with cultural references made in the film whereas, people outside Britain would not be able to. The typical situations that B.S.R films base their story line ideas around mainly highlight around Drugs, Sex, Stealing, Mugging, Gangs, Violence, Swearing, etc.
                                      The companies that produce these films work around a low budget and this is shown with the poor quality revealed in their films which helps to give that strong realistic and serious feel that the audience experience. The characters in these films are expressed as depressed stressed people who strive for the escapism and happiness of the negative situations they get positioned in. The themes that are portrayed are expressed as unvarnished situations and the camera work is most hand-held giving the film a rough feel.This rough camera styling helps to emphasize on the 'Kitchen Sink' ideology of British Social Realism.

PAST STUDENTS' WORK

Opening Sequences - Strengths and Weaknesses:

Written Syria - Opening Sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdxurNAmsUk

1) - Screenshot
In this screenshot (as one of the first shots denoted to us) through the opening sequence of this B.S.R film, the idea of it beginning created in a dim lighted presence helps to support the idea of the film being related to being a British Social Realist film by connoting with the negative atmospheric feel being given as soon as the opening sequence occurs. Since this is the first shot denoted, the thing that i would improve on would be making the male characters face a little bit more clearer with the lighting due to his presence as a character being introduced to us first. As a audience, we should be able to see his face clearly so that we are more familiar with his image as we watch the rest of the film.

2) - Screenshot
This screenshot was created very successful because the camera was able to focus strongly among the main characters face so that the audience would then be able to be more familiar with his face. Also, as the camera is focused on his face, we are able to denote the bruise for-shown across his left eye. What i would improve or add to to this part would be to cause the camera to create more of a zoom-in of his face so we as the audience could become more concerned for his state and his bruise across his eye and the emotions he may be feeling from awakening from a unsatisfactory slumber.

3) - Screenshot
This shot is very successful because the camera focuses on the body language of the distressed character. Also, the character in the shot is not placed in the center of the screen and is placed at the far end of the screen. This made the clip successful due to the camera being able to focus on the mise-en-scene of the area besides the focus of the male characters' body language of him being denoted with his hands hiding his face out of stress of worry etc. If i were to improve on this, i would probably move the camera a little further away than it is already so that we audience are able to view more of the mise-en-scene. Plus, if the camera was further created as a long shot, we would be able to see how his legs are arranged which could change our ideas on how comfortable or hidden he is with his feelings maybe.

4) - Screenshot
Shot 4 was created very successfully. Since this shot was followed after the 3rd screenshot i took, this 4th screenshot was created in such a way that the camera was able to keep the shot the same from the main character sitting down to standing up; both being a mid shot of him. The camera always focused on his top half including his face. When the face is focused on mostly within a British Social Realist film, it is very important because that way, the audience are able to analyse the characters face and emotional expressions within events that may occur during the film. If i were to improve it, i would probably change the shot type to a high angle shot but still related to being a mid shot. This way, it would give the idea of the world looking down on him due to the negative events or causes that are typically expected to happen in a British Social Realist film.

5) - Screenshot
The title sequence was created very successful due to the typography being of a original sort and relating to the title of ''Syria'' being very cultural in the way the writing is presented.The thing i would improve on would maybe be to not make it so that it has a white background at the back but maybe a image or clip of scenery of a sunset or a pan of the area/city that the character may be living in presently.

6) - Screenshot
This screenshot was created very successfully due to the face of the shot being a high angle shot. This helps to connote the negative atmosphere that we as audience feel as we look down on his presence in a British society. What i would improve on would be to maybe make the camera  follow through his face as a pan and then towards the object he is holding and create that as a close-up of his hands gripping the flag to give a greater effect to his cultural care for his country.

7) - Screenshot
This was created very successfully due to us audience not being able to denote who the dark figured character is. This helps to create a sense of mystery for the audience to inspect further. I would maybe improve on showing the 'black figures' hands a little bit more so that we would be able to witness the hand gestures more emphasizing his points to why he is treating the main character in such a way with his reasons.

8) - Screenshot
This shot is shown within the middle of the clip as the character is denoted getting up from his bed. The camera effects that are created of his different facial and hand gestures is created very successful with what he expresses to us. The effects are fade outs and causes the different shots of his different gestures blending in within each other as each shot changes.

9) - Screenshot
The typography used to introduce who produced and created the film was created in a very successful way due to it being so original and being so naturally related to the cultural sense that we as audience feel as we view these elements.

Cycle - Opening Sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HQQtWqOHYs

                                                             














1) - Screenshot
Begins as a ''smash mouth'' appearance to the audience. In other words, the scene begins within the middle of a piece of action occurring within the film. This is good when shown at the beginning of a British Social Realist film due to it grabbing the audiences attention to what may be happening and why the person may be running and who he is running from. All these questions are able to swarm through the audiences minds creating a very effective atmosphere.

2) - Screenshot
This shot is created very successfully because it focuses on a long shot being performed across the denotation of a typical gang dressed in hoods and loose trousers. This is performed well because we are introduced to some of the themes and situations of the film. Also in this shot, we are audience are able to denote the location and environment which the film is set in which helps to relate to the British cultural feel that a British audience can find easy to relate to.

3) Screenshot
The third screenshot that i took is revealing an event of the main gang stealing some girls bag/purse. This is a stereotypical event likely to happen and be caused by a gang; stealing. Mugging can also occur but this is not seen in the opening sequence. What i would improve on would be to add in a close-up shot of the purse getting snatched from the lady's hands during the event while it occurs. I would do this to help give that stronger in depth effect of what sort of crime is commencing at the time.

4) Screenshot
This helps to emphasis more on the stealing that has just occurred within this scene. As we are able to denote them running away in power, we are able to connote their crimes as being a gang group of characters in the film. I would maybe improve this by revealing a shot of their footwork on action as they are running to create more emphasis on how fast or strongly they may be running after a crime they have just committed.

5) Screenshot
Although the font of the title typography is very originally created for the film, i would however make a slight improvement on increasing the size of the title so that it is denoted more strongly towards the audience who view it. That way, it is more eye-catching and audience are able to become more familiar with what the film is called whilst the font is created as a larger size across the screen.

6) Screenshot
What makes screenshot number 6 so successful is that it is shown in dull lighting. This helps to emphasize  towards the negative and dull atmospheric life that a normal British citizen or section of British people undertake in everyday life.

7) Screenshot
Shot number 7 is held on for way too long. I would maybe improve that by using a variety of more shots so that the audience are able to undertake every aspect of the scene and its characters. These variety of shots would maybe consist within more close-ups of each of the characters or maybe some individual mid-shots of the characters revealing their body language whilst being denoted and introduced properly by the audience to how they present themselves as characters in the British Social Realist film.

8) Screenshot
This is created successfully because it focused on ''weed''(drugs) being sniffed by the gang members. This is a very stereotypical thing for a gang/British gang to do and helps to emphasize towards the natural addiction or stress release/escapism that members in the gang as British citizens try and come across to be doing such things.

9) Screenshot
In this shot, i would improve on making sure that the lighting which can be denoted by the audience through the window remains the same constantly throughout the scene. Otherwise, it appears surreal to us which it is not suppose to come across as whilst trying to be represented as a British Social Realist film.

FISH TANK Case Study

Themes and Situations

• Main Character (Mia) is fighting and swearing constantly which connotes her stereotypical representation as a teenager. 
• She has no respect for her elders. (E.g: Swearing at her mum)
• Mia results in many crimes:
  > Stealing money (£5) from her mum's boyfriend's wallet.
  > Tries to free someone else's horse and gets caught whilst trespassing their property of land.
  > Throws stones at house.
  > Kidnaps a little girl.

• Mia's mum is a single parent who doesn't care for her children. This results in their negative upbringing as two daughters not being raised without a fatherly figure to support them. 
• Mia's mum does not work; she is seen always at home so she is not able to support enough for her daughters. 
• Mia's little sister (Tyler) is also rude and quite similar to Mia whilst having no respect for a anyone having a bad attitude and smoking at a young age not caring. Tyler and her friend are seen in the film smoking a cigarette in front of Mia. 

Influence

The film reveals Mia always walking out of her apartment. I would use this strategy to reveal  the escapism portrayed through a characters stress and struggles in a british realism life. 

Representation (stereotypes & archetypes)

• Reveals the stereotypical representation of teenagers. (Mia) Always getting up to 'no good'.
• British teenager girl having attitude and being rude all the time against everyone.
• Mia's mother does not care about her children and shows a bad example of herself (drinking, smoking etc.). This could be the reason of stress due to her not working, being at home all the time, and not having enough money to support also without a fatherly figure to help raise the daughters. (Needing guidance)

• Mia and Tyler are not seen going to school. They have no respect for anything with no education.

Influence

With the strong idea of the representation of a stereotypical british female teenager, i think this could strongly influence my film revealing a character's strong struggled life as a disturbed character whilst being shown through their British Social Realist representation/image. 

Mise-en-scene

• As we watch the film, we audience are able to denote the chipped paint on the walls of the flats and broken pieces of walls and furniture. (untidy) This maybe connotes that the area is struggled and that Mia's mum is unable to support her children with the lack of money in her possession. 
• The clothes that we seen worn by the characters in the film are ''baggy'' vests or jogging bottoms or hoods. Mia is seen wearing most likely the same clothes on the majority of days which could connote her unhygienic qualities and her reason of not being able to afford clothes. 
• East London: Typical British weather which is cloudy, wet, and rainy.  This helps to represent the area and environment which the film is set in. 

Influence:

The idea of the stereotypical aspect of weather could be very handy when being influenced in my film due to Britain being so very well known for its rainy cloudy weather forecast. 

Music & Sound Effects

• There are non-diagetic sounds such as faint conversations being heard, children laughing, talking, people yelling etc. 
• Music videos are watched by Mia on the television or heard on CD such as RnB, Hip-hop, and Reggae Music. For example: Mia's mum plays Reggae music very loud as Mia enters the building.
• ''Californian Dreaming'' song is not a British song. Mia is seen dancing to it being influenced by the escapism of british culture. 

Influence:

The film uses a lot of non-diagetic sounds which helps to create more of a social realism representation. I would use this strategy because it would really help to represent serious situations in story lines i may create as a realist outcome. 

Camera work & Editing

• The camera uses hand-held shots which impact upon the ideology of a realist film. (Camera is Shaky)
• There are many fast paces shots which help to connote a sense of tension during a action/event that may be occurring. 
• There are pans of each different area. 
• Establishing shots are shown revealing the area and environment which the film is set in. 
• Camera reveals Close Ups of Mia's face denoting her struggled emotions through her british realism troubles and stress. 

Influence:

The film reveals a lot of hand-held shots which could come in handy for my film and help it reveal its representation of realism in situations i create and will help to create tension.

Dialogue

• Characters are spoken like ''chavs'' as they use words such as: ''Cunt'',''Fuck off''and ''Bitch''
• Mia reveals to the audience a rude bad attitude as a fifteen year old through her dialogue.
• East London Accent is heard strongly and clearly.
• Most of the characters share the same british london accent. 

Influence:

In 'Fish Tank', the dialogue of the characters accents are revealed strongly to being represented as british characters from their accents. I would use a strategy like this because it would help reveal to the audience the background culture of the characters, 

Secondary Research on 'Fish Tank'

Institutional background

Director: Andrea Arnold

The Production Companies:

• BBC Films (presents)
• UK Film Council (presents
• Limelight Communication
• Content Film
• Kasander Film Company

> The funding came from BBC Films and Uk Film Council.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232776/companycredits

Audience Breakdown

• This film was mainly aimed mostly towards a British audience due to the elements and characteristics of the film being so closely related to the stereotypical british culture that we are so familiar with. 
• Although, ''Fish Tank'' (2009), also is trying its very best to make its film come across to America so that it can become further populated as a independent film. Due to ''Fish Tank'' not being completely cultural, americans would still be able to understand the storyline and situation involved within the film which they will then find suitable for their understandings. 
• In ''Fish Tank'', the only main british cultural references are the accents, and the area and environment placed around the characters. This is why Americans would therefore be able to understand the film better when there is not much dialogue within the speech of the characters that is related to our british ways of speaking.

Marketing Strategy

• There was more than one poster design created for the film.
• The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival on the 14th May 2009 and that helped gain a great word of mouth and reviews.
• It was also shown at many other festivals such as: The Edinburgh International Film Festival on the 21st June 2009, the Jerusalem Film Festival 17th July 2009, and many more which helped to boost up ''Fish Tank'''s popularity across the public audience.

> As you can see, Festivals are one of the biggest ways that Independent filmmakers use to promote their films.