Georgia Matthews AS Level Media Studies Textual Analysis Conventions of social realism introductions The conventions of an opening social

realism film are very similar compared to other film intros. The structure and lay out are fairly the same but other things are not. In a social realism opening they will use simple, plain titles in a precise order. They mention all crew involved in the production and a few of the main talent cast. The director will always come last. The credits will appear for a few minutes in the opening whilst action or audio will happen in the background. In the first visual scenes they use low key natural lighting to convey 'real life'. Most social realism films employ untrained actors too star in the film. Many props, areas and characters will show representation through out to create sense of the film. Long shots are regularly used create a natural flow to the scene and in some cases builds tension. Social realism tends to use real location so that the audience can relate and give a 'real' feel to the scenes. Compacted spaces are used frequently to portray uncomfortable emotion towards the audience. Props are used to show class and status for example cigarettes, a common habit in the working class. Nil By Mouth In the extract micro elements from the technical category of mise-en-scene are employed. A specific place is being represented, namely a bar/pub. A key representative area in the extract is class and status. In the extract, the representation of class and status is shown through the differences of people through their personal hygiene and presentation towards themselves. This shows the audience a vary from the people attending to the bar. Specific technical elements of mise-en-scene are being used; costume, make-up, set design, lighting, color design and props. The color design and lighting - dark area, musty, dirty curtains, moldy/brown color palette, worn out walls - is designed to show the surroundings and the cleanliness of the bar. The bar only is targeted to only adults, this is also seen through the props - smoking inside the bar, creating a smoky atmosphere, empty, dirty glasses unattended, tables scattered everywhere around the area. The props create an area not suitable to children and makes the demographic feel an unsafe, worrying environment. The costume from the characters are sloppy, untidy and dirty. Not caring for their presentation. Un-kempt, messy hair and dark eyes and dull faces. This can convey a low status of the working class, as it

shows them not caring of their looks and hygiene. The place shows class and status by the design of the bar, seeming as they do not have the funds to refurbish. Also by the dirtiness shows a lack of care and respect, therefore the people who attend of lack of manners. In the boarding of the use of color design and the low key lighting it creates a feeling of depression and anger. By the dull colour of the bar, it makes us question things further on to come in film. Makes the audience wonder what life is like outside of the bar and the situations to further come.
Kidulthood In the extract micro elements from the technical category of mise-en-scene are being employed. They show a key representative of social groups within the school play ground. Age is a key representative in the scene. Issues of bullying and rebellion is exploited and can portray the young teens behaviour as offensive and can wonder why they are like that and the up bringing they had. Costume, make-up, props, lighting and set design are all employed. One of the character's make-up bright face, oily skin, heavily, dark eyelashes, pale lips, tight, slicked back hair, up in scruffy pony tail - Also the character's costume - undone, scruffy shirt, short, loose tie, large gold earrings, baggy gold chain, big gold ring, non-uniform, cheap cardigan - is designed to portray a young teen at school going against the school uniform policy by wearing jewellery, her own clothes and too much make-up. Attention will be drawn to her and is stereotyped as a 'chav'. Another of the character is walking around with two boys following him. The character's make-up dark eyes, healthy skin, drained face, unkempt stubbly beard - his costume - navy blue hoody, hood up, white t-shirt, navy blue tracksuit bottoms - his costume is very basic but intimidating trying to make himself look bigger. It also represents the different age between the girl in uniform. This contrast the two characters by separating them by dominants in age. They may be the same stereotyped youth but they have divided them up in age, by what they wear and the physique. My Name is Joe In my name is Joe intro i have specifically looked at sound in this extract. Being represented in this intro is a common working classed northern male talking to issued people in the local area. Class and statues is being explored in the scene. Issues of smoking habits are being heard. The use of a constant diegetic background noise- coughing, sniffing - showing issues of smoking symptom, what is expected for a working class identity. The protagonists fluent accent indicates that he is from Scotland, a highly low economic country which gives the audience an impression he is from around that type of area because of what the scene is about (alcoholic therapy group) They used a lot of diegetic sounds to create a 'real' atmosphere and use little techniques to create codes to convey serious issues in a little segment of the theme of the film. Give in whole the sounds together produces a image of the back ground life of the people in the scene by the coughing sniffing

and accent making it clear that they have smoking issues.