Social Realism

By Oscar Thomas

Why Social Realism?

• Everyday scenario are easy to create and replicate through characters.

• Includes less make up and costumes therefore meaning our focus can be on other things.

• Social realism is often low budget so the schools equipment would create this feel very well.

• Social realism often uses geographic shots therefore we wont need to recruit many actors.

Normal conventions of Social Realism

• Events : Examples include; drug use; fighting; racism; deaths and alcohol abuse• Characters: These are often played by unknown actors as social realism films

often are made with a low budget. Stereotypically a teenager out of work or in education, they occur a problem and have to over come this. Examples include: This is England and The Weekender.

• Themes: Examples include; drug addiction; drunkenness; unemployment; gangs and violent; poverty; illness and sex.

• Sound: Stereotypically they only use diegetic sound to enforce the “realism” factor up on the film. This can create tension or comedy.

• Camerawork: Often use through shaky handheld cameras. This creates the feel of realism and/or a documentary. This is also helps keeps a low budget.

• Mise En Scene: The mise en scene revolves around the place being filmed or the type of realism being portrayed. Examples include a broken warehouse in This is England to portray their anger and graffiti in Adulthood.