Codes and conventions of social realism

British social realism 
Social realism is a film genre that focuses on representing  the problems issues faced in today's society. It generally means a realistic circumstance that has or could easily happen captured on to a film, picture or even portrait. Popular themes and plots revolve around money, drugs, alcohol, class, religion and politics.

During the late 1940s and early 1950s, social realism in film reflected Britain's transforming wartime society. At the time, pre-assigned gender roles were challenged, and this was clearly portrayed through film. Examples of social realist films of this era include 'Target for tonight', 'Millions like us' and This happy breed'.

During the 1960s, there was a relaxation of censorship which enable films to focus on issues such as prostitution, abortion, homosexuality and alienation.

Codes and conventions:

• Location

Films of this genre are normally filmed in real life locations, unlike Hollywood films, where they are shot in studios. Another trend in terms of location is the use of run down areas and council estates, to produce a gritty and run-down effect. Locations such as these are used so that the film seems more realistic and lifelike, therefore much more relatable. 

• Non-professional actors

Non-professional and unknown actors are normally used for social realism films, unlike Hollywood films, British social realism films simply cannot afford famous Hollywood actors on their low budgets. However, in most cases using unknown and non-professional actors helps to conform to the social realism aspect making it as realistic as possible. 

• Social class 

This is a very important convention, in most British social realism the plot features the working class. Films such as 'Billy Elliot' rely on the working class aspect to support the narrative.

• Age of characters

In most British social realism films, young teenagers and young adults are the main focus with the general age range being between 13 and 25. Examples of films evidently conforming to this convention are 'This is England' and 'Sweet sixteen'.

• Relatable plot

The narrative is often simple and basic so that the audience can relate to it, where crime, drugs and alcohol are the prominent problems faced by lower to working class people, in run-down areas.

• Shots

The same kind of shots are used within modern day films of the social realism genre. Handheld shots in particular, they are used frequently to give the film a documentary feel and to show the characters in a relatable and realistic view. Establishing shots are also very common within this genre

• Semi-improvised scripts

The use of semi-improvised scripts is a well-known convention of films of the social realism genre. They are sometimes used in social realism films in order to achieve a sense of reality through lifelike dialogue/ conversations.