Lesson 1: I was introduced to the themes of British Social Realism. There are many, some of which are childhood, poverty, petty crimes, abuse, violence and isolation. Then it became more evident that the themes British Social Realist include in their films are inspired by the real world. In order to prove this we researched real life stories that occur in our society. There were many tragic stories from teenagers getting stabbed to women experiencing domestic violence. One story really stood out to me, it was about parents that were addicted to heroin and they gave methadone 'like Calpol' to their baby of 23 months, who later then later died due to the adult-sized dosages. This sad story reminded me of a scene in the British social realist film, Trainspotting, when a group of young people were taking heroin in one room, while a baby was left alone, neglected in the room next door.
Task - Use Of Themes in British Social Realism
Lesson 2: Using our knowledge of conventions of opening sequence, me and my peers made a list of should and shouldn't be done when producing an opening sequences. For instance a Do always establish the mise-en-scene and setting/location. In contrast, a Don't is not to give away the narrative so early on ( always keep the audience interested by raising enigma codes). Next we analysed the opening sequence of Panic Room and picked out all the graphics used and how they were styled and what they could connote. Moreover we learnt about the order of which normally graphics arrived and what the jobs of the crew were. So now being aware of graphics, I was set the task of picking an opening sequence of a British social realist film. I analysed it, by drawing a time line and indicating every edit, graphic ( also denoting everything portrayed in the opening ) and music.
Task - Institutional Time line
Lesson 3: I was given the task to use my knowledge and create a narrative based upon a real life story that I found from the 1st lesson. Mine was about a single mother that is working class, is a heroin addict and has love for her baby. She steals to pay for drugs but not for her baby's survival. Later the baby will die, due to her leaving her heroin lying around, its then that she realises she needs to fight her addiction. Its a battle but she doesn't escape her problem. My narrative was based upon the ' Methadone Baby' story. Later, me and peers watched the opening to London to Brighton and analysed what we was left feeling, the themes it included ( and how it was established) and the conventions it used. When the sequence was over, I was left with many questions for example, who and why were they running away from?, I then instantly wanted to watch the rest. The sequence also used a smash mouth opening, this convention shocked me and was very hard hitting, it grabbed my attention and I was very interested. Lastly, the themes I identified, were prostitution, abuse/violence, parenthood, poverty, corruption of youth and childhood.
Task - How British Social Realism Themes are used
What have you learnt about social realist codes and conventions in relation to audience?
I have learnt that social realist films are inspired by situations that occur in the real world. For instance in the news we always hear about the younger generation getting stabbed or being involved in gangs. This is explored in Attack The Block when a group of boys, surround an innocent women and steal from her. By touching on taboo matters, it shocks the audience and brings them to realisation about the society we live in. I have also learnt that the situation, mise - en - scene, editing and camera language contribute to establishing themes. For example films are normally set around an urban council estate, where single mothers and their dysfunctional families, live in poverty. The film, Fish Tank explores this and its very gritty. Moreover, the camera work is shaky and disorientates the audiences and keeps them interested. The edits are fast paced and mostly cuts, they keep up with the action and the working class lifestyle and portrayed the hardships of life. This keeps the audience assertive.
How will this inform in your production?
I have learnt that a successful opening sequence keeps the audience interested by raising enigma codes. Therefore I shall try to accomplish this through an interesting narrative and a clever use of editing and camera work. However I have learnt I should reveal to much of the narrative, as it will seem like a trailer and the audience wouldn't feel interested, as every things been shown to them. Therefore, I shall avoid this.
What texts did you find particularly influential and why?
In one of lessons I watched London to Brighton opening sequence. This was very influential as it had the ability to make me want to watch the rest of the film, by making me raises various questions that I wanted answered. Therefore, I want to apply this technique in my opening sequence and have the same effect on my audience by paying attention to detail, through creating an interesting mise-en-scene etc, that has relevance to my storyline.
Will you conform to the conventions or subvert from them?
I will conform to the conventions because by analysing past students work I know that by subverting from the conventions,it might consequently lead to my sequence looking like a trailer rather then an opening. Moreover, if I subvert I will be moving away from what the brief/mark scheme has instructed me create for example I must include themes like religion or aspiration, because that's what makes a typical British social realist film.
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