GENRE

For my short film/film extract I have chosen the genre of 'British/Social Realism' to use to reference from and base my own work around. This genre is key to exploring and exhibiting true British culture. Usually made as independent films, or funded by British Film companies such as 'Film4', they tend to work on a small budget, relying especially on the actors/actresses performances and their 'true-to-life' plots and story-lines. More often than not they're targeted at an older audience with mature themes and real life situations. 


Conventions of this genre include:

• Realistic and believable plots and story-lines.
• Believable and realistic actions by the characters (they're unlikely to do something strange or less believable just to move the story along as they may do in other film genres like 'action'.)
• Gritty/mature themes often exposing faults in certain parts of society. 
• Usually takes place in an Urban landscape, more often than not council estates.
• Working class characters.
• Often troubled or confused characters, socially rejected. Can have problems with alcohol, drugs, domestic abuse, violence in general.
• No overly complex filming. A lot of long tracking shots focused upon one character. Straight angle shots, almost as if the characters are being followed by the camera; more realistic, as if the audience is following a real person rather than watching a character in a film.
• More diegetic sound than non-diegetic. Focus upon characters dialogue/ real life interactions. Again makes the film more realistic, bringing the audience into the film.
• Theme/underlying issue of hope/hopelessness.  
• Somber resolution/not overly positive