Still Image Analysis

Still Image Analysis

The genre of film that we were given was a British social realist drama. Social realism focuses on topical issues that are occurring in a stereotypical modern society, which is represented by different ideas. The genre often focuses upon truth and honesty: These being the aspects that give the genre its realist name. Themes such as drugs, money, sex, religion and typical day-to-day activities are conventionally portrayed within the narrative of a social realist film. It focuses on life’s struggles and often portrays the working class activities as heroic. Dealing with the work area also adds to the realist aspects as it is nothing to high key or high class. These types of films are conventionally low budget; an example would be Billy Elliott and Fish Tank, both films that do not feature famous actors or actresses (the use of unknown actors). The representation of characters through the use of unknown actors supports the realist aspects of the genre due to the fact that these actors could potentially be anyone as they are not famous icons.

Due to the genre being rather varied, it results in the target audience being more approachable depending on the narrative. Our group was given this genre during in lesson and we had to base our film and film opening around the typical convections for this type of genre. We wanted to focus upon the aspects of this genre that make it a success; however, we also wanted to add our own feature in order to make it more successful. This is why our story line was focused upon the conventional themes within existing films categorized in this genre.

We mind mapped our ideas in order to allow us to have a variety to choose from. Having elements of sadness within the plot line allowed us to fit in with the genre itself. However, we wanted to make our ending extremely happy and satisfying for the audience in order for them to allow their emotions to change as the film progresses (from low to high). The plot of our film involves a young boy who has been in a wheelchair all of his life because he was born with deformed limbs. His mum died when she was giving birth and his Dad could not cope with a disabled child on his own so he left his son with the responsibility of a care home. Jamie, the main character playing the deformed boy, has had a hard life and has struggled to cope with the given circumstances. He has attempted to commit suicide several times and he does not see any point in his current life. Then, his care worker, Julie, suggests that he tries out for a wheelchair basketball team in order to place some positivity within his life. Due to the closeness of Jamie and Julie relationship, Jamie takes Julie’s advice and makes the team. He finds his true talent and destiny, and he also makes lots of lifelong friends. He and his team end up winning gold at the Paralympics and he becomes an icon all over the country.

Our film appeals to a wider audience this way due to Americans enjoying happy/bubbly films. It also appeals to the British public because it involves the sad elements. The type of genre we were given does not necessarily appeal to the people of our age: This is why we decided to add the sporty elements as well as the settings of schools to make our film more approachable to younger people. We also feel that the Olympics and Paralympics will appeal to many people.

Our group consisted of four girls, so we could not actually capture still images for the film we had pitched to our class. Because of this we decided to simply capture still images that portray the British social relist drama genre alone.

First Image

The first image shows Sophie, the girl against the lockers, standing on her own with a sad and lonely expression on her face. Her arms are some what covering her body showing how she feels insure within the environment that she is in, school. Myself and Faye and then walking past Sophie together. The vibe they have is the complete opposite to Sophie’s. They appear happy, bubbly and confident with themselves. We wanted to show segregation between the girls in order to create drama and the atmosphere of bullying. Bullying is a sad subject and we thought that this portrays realism and therefore fits in to our category. The setting is in a school corridor, another conventional and realist aspect. The lighting is naturalistic, again, to portray the realism factor. The clothing colours that are worn are mainly black, however myself, located to the right of the picture, am wearing a white top to break up the dispostion of the the very dark colour black. The setting is clearly in a school building and therefore is a low-budget setting - fitting into the several of the conventional aspects of our genre.

Second Image

The second image portrays our genre in a different way. Faye is seen too on her own however there are no other people around her nin the backgroud. We felt it important to get the message of lonliness across to the audience whilst the character appeared on their own. The structure of our setting consists of Faye in a bathroom on her own. Clearly this aspect of the still image fits into the category of British Social Realist Drama due to the low budget costs of this public setting. The enviroment in which Faye is in does not appear to be glamourus and is not asthetically pleasing.  The camera angle was important as the setting and props around Faye was not very interesting. This is why we concluded on using a point of view shot from the back of the character. The audience are able to see what the character can see, however, we can still get an idea of her facial expression due to the mirror being in clear focus of the camera shot. The image captured clearly shows a young female whom cannot cope with the situation that she is in. Her body language shows her to be leaning against the wall for support: Indicating to the audience that she does not have anyone in her life that she can relie on - This creates a sense of drama. This could be due to many of the themse that would conventionally occur within a British Social Realist Drama genre of film; For example, a relationship struggle, drugs, bullying and so on. The characters head is looking down representing how she is struggling and perhaps is embarrassed. Her costume is one colour, black. This colour is dark and gives of negative connotations which reflect the characters and audiences emotions and thoughts towards the events that are occuring within the sene itself. i feel that the image represents our giveng genre in a clear way, however I do feel that there are several improvements to be made. The lighting included within the shot is of high key: This portrays a happy period of time and this does not reflect our genre well nor what is happening within the sene. Although, the lighting is some what naturalistic and fits in with the realistic aspect of our genre. The lighting should be dark, dull and of low key to portray how the character is feeling. This would then make it easier for the audience interact with the character and the narratives of the film.