Social Realism
Social realism is a genre of film that focuses on topical issues alive in a modern society, which is represented by different ideologies. Themes such as money, drugs, prostitution and sex are quite usual in modern contemporary social realism films as well as class, religion and political views. These themes are very popular today but not all were involved in the early social realism storylines and films.
Since Social realism is the genre of ‘The doppelganger’, intensive research was done in order to create a better understanding for what social realism means and offers to a short film. Many codes and conventions of short film were closely analyzed such as the age, social class, sex and location. The main character in our production is a young female who is from a working class background, living in her car. The criteria for social realism were met through the presentation of the leading character.
Some of the camera angles/shots that represent social realism used in the film were an over the shoulder shot used in motion, establishing shots and long shots. The over the shoulder shot was specifically used to tail the main character while she is walking, displaying her body language and the behaviors of pedestrians in the area. Establishing shots were used throughout the film in order to capture the mood of the setting and provide the viewer with an idea of what area the protagonist is about to enter. In the case of the film an over ground station, a run-down tunnel and pharmacy were used in a sequence to set a feeling of realism for the audience. A series of long shots were also incorporated throughout the film to showcase location along with the main character.
Since Social realism is the genre of ‘The doppelganger’, intensive research was done in order to create a better understanding for what social realism means and offers to a short film. Many codes and conventions of short film were closely analyzed such as the age, social class, sex and location. The main character in our production is a young female who is from a working class background, living in her car. The criteria for social realism were met through the presentation of the leading character.
Some of the camera angles/shots that represent social realism used in the film were an over the shoulder shot used in motion, establishing shots and long shots. The over the shoulder shot was specifically used to tail the main character while she is walking, displaying her body language and the behaviors of pedestrians in the area. Establishing shots were used throughout the film in order to capture the mood of the setting and provide the viewer with an idea of what area the protagonist is about to enter. In the case of the film an over ground station, a run-down tunnel and pharmacy were used in a sequence to set a feeling of realism for the audience. A series of long shots were also incorporated throughout the film to showcase location along with the main character.
The lighting and composition of a social realism film are some of the more technical codes. The lighting was very dim in the drug and sex scenes of ‘The doppelganger’ because it fits in with the grim, melancholy mood that is usually attached to a social realism film. As the protagonist is going through the process of achieving her drugs, a dark feeling is evidently displayed through various lighting techniques such as lowering the ‘iso’ on the video camera or simply dimming the lights of the location.
The meaning of composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. With the definition of composition understood, the arrangement of props such as drugs and alcohol were carefully considered throughout the production process. Drugs and alcohol were placed beside the main character in a majority of the scenes, illustrating that the evils of her existence seem to be following her throughout her day. This reflects social realism because a common theme of social realism is drug abuse and sex.
Films notorious for social realism such as ‘kidulthood’, ‘kes’ and ‘fish tank’ are all known for having specific sounds in their films that reflect social realism such as gritty soundtracks, and diegetic sounds such as the natural environment or music represented in the story. Diegetic sounds such as the natural environment and music presented on the screen are technical codes of social realism because they offer the viewer a first person, life-like experience when watching the film.
The meaning of composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. With the definition of composition understood, the arrangement of props such as drugs and alcohol were carefully considered throughout the production process. Drugs and alcohol were placed beside the main character in a majority of the scenes, illustrating that the evils of her existence seem to be following her throughout her day. This reflects social realism because a common theme of social realism is drug abuse and sex.
Films notorious for social realism such as ‘kidulthood’, ‘kes’ and ‘fish tank’ are all known for having specific sounds in their films that reflect social realism such as gritty soundtracks, and diegetic sounds such as the natural environment or music represented in the story. Diegetic sounds such as the natural environment and music presented on the screen are technical codes of social realism because they offer the viewer a first person, life-like experience when watching the film.
The colour scheme used throughout the production of our film was a ‘warm blue’. This colour scheme was selected after receiving the results from the films audience research. This colour was implemented throughout the construction of our film poster as well as the editing filters for the scenes in the film. The colour scheme chosen blended well with the genre of Social realism because the mood created fit the conventions of a contemporary social realism production.
A careful consideration of editing techniques, mise en scene, sound and cinematography was discussed throughout the pre production process of our film and was implemented in the production of the film. With these methods considered throughout the film in regards to social realism, many could speculate that the film promotes the dominant ideologies linked to social realism as opposed to creating a challenge.
A careful consideration of editing techniques, mise en scene, sound and cinematography was discussed throughout the pre production process of our film and was implemented in the production of the film. With these methods considered throughout the film in regards to social realism, many could speculate that the film promotes the dominant ideologies linked to social realism as opposed to creating a challenge.