In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

By Manjot Puaar

Typical Conventions of Social Realism

• One of the main conventions of Social Realism drama include real location shooting and filming, as opposed to studio filming. For example, filming may take place in parks and estates rather than in studios. An example of a film which follows this convention is the film ‘Kidulthood’, where the film is filmed on an estate.

• Another convention of social realism includes non professional actors. This is a common convention which is followed as most social realism films don’t have the budget to star big actors or professional actors. Another reason for them following this convention is for the film to seem more ‘original’.

Typical Conventions (Continued)• Another convention which is linked to the genre of social realism

includes, everyday social issues, especially those which are increasing in society. For example, the film ‘Adulthood’ encourages themes of knife crime and gang culture, which are both increasing dramatically amongst teenagers in todays society.

• Semi improvised scripts is also a massive convention which is followed by many different social realism films. This is to again to emphasise the reality of the social issues being explored through a film. Semi improvised scripts ensure that conversations are kept original.

• Over time, conventions of Social Realism have changed due to either changes in technology or ideas becoming old and not working in film anymore. For example, the wide angle shot convention, which involved cinematographers taking wide angle shots to

Did we follow Conventions? (Short Film)

• We chose to follow specific conventions of the Social Realism genre as we wanted to keep the film conventional, however, we also wanted to keep the film as original as possible, which is why we decided to break conventions.

• Firstly, the main stereotypical convention we followed was keeping the lighting low key. Low key lighting is used to reflect mood and atmosphere. Our short film ‘Broken Trust’ conveys a very distressing story line which goes on to create a depressing mood. This is why we found it appropriate to use low key lighting throughout the short film to reflect this properly.

• Another convention which was followed was the way in which the actors used semi improvised scripts. In order, to create an understanding and guideline of what needed to be said, scripts were written out. However, all actors improvised with the script to ensure the conversation looked real and reflected the genre. An example of this was the park scene, where Jodie chose to learn the first line of the script to help her improvise for the rest of it. This helped to keep the conversation original and let the actors be themselves.

Did we follow Conventions? (Short Film)

• Even though many conventions were followed, many conventions were also broken.

• Firstly, films in the Social Realism genre are usually set and filmed in broken down areas or estates. However, we chose to break this convention as we wanted to come away from being stereotypical and wanted to add our own twist to the social realism genre. This is why we chose to set our film in various places (school, park and toilet) rather than in specific broken down locations.

The title sequence we used is very conventional and stereotypical, as it uses very low key lighting and conventional font. There is no fancy lettering and is all set on a black background. This emphasises and foreshadows the mood and atmosphere of the short film to the audience.

The themes of alcohol and teenage pregnancy are explored through the different shots in the short film. This medium long shot, shows both the baby a in the buggy and Jodie drinking. Again, this is an example of how we followed conventions of socially realistic films and how they explore real life and serious issues.

This screenshot illustrates the way in which we used different settings in order to create a more dynamic storyline. Social Realism dramas are usually set in broken down areas or estates. We tried to break conventions and tried to use more settings in the short film. The film still uses low key lighting in the setting to allow the audience to feel the atmosphere and mood.

Here is another example which explores different settings and the effect on audience.

Conventions of Social Realism film posters

• Low key lighting• Bold text • Credit block• Background Image• Main Image• Setting

Examples of Social Realism Posters

My Film Poster

A cracked and distorted font portraying and foreshadowing different storylines in the film. Cracked font also corresponds with the title of the film exaggerating ‘BROKEN’. Very conventional as audiences are able to connote different meanings from the title.

The credit block is a conventional piece on all posters. This gives all the necessary information and credits to audiences

Conventional tagline is used in order to create enigmas amongst target audiences. This specific tagline may foreshadow the storyline and themes portrayed in the short film.

Low key lighting and a black and white theme, again following the main conventions of social realism. The lighting and colours used reflect and represent the mood and atmosphere of the the short film and the moods it portrays.

Comparison

• Comparing my film poster with a real poster, for example Kidulthood, they are very similar in many ways.

• Firstly, both posters follow the conventions of having low key lighting. Even though, the Kidulthood poster is not black and white, the lighting is still very dim and dark.

• Another similarity is the main image, where some characters are at different levels portraying and representing their power in the film. My poster shows Dion towering over Jodie clearly illustrating the power struggles between the two characters.

Conventions of a Film Review (LWL)

• Image at the top of review• Three separate columns of text• Film title just below the image• Direct mode of address• Formal code and writing style• Rating system

Examples of Little White Lies reviews

My Film Review

Main image at the top of the review emulating the Little White Lies format.

The rating system is placed in the exact place as it is on Little White Lies reviews. Anticipation, Enjoyment and Retrospect are all rated out of five

The text/review is split into three columns, making it look professional and neat.

Title, directors name and actors are all written along with the title under the main image

• This clearly illustrates I have used the Little White Lies style and emulated it to my full advantage.

• The poster also follows all conventions, however goes on to develop them further through the main image. The characters body language and facial expression foreshadows many things including different themes in the film. Compared to other social realism posters, the main message conveyed is through setting and background.

• Although no conventions were broken fully on the poster, the main intended effect was to create enigmas upon the audience. The tagline was one of the main ways in which I wanted to get this point across.