Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions

Below are some conventions for social realism films, as we’re making a film trailer we will be challenging some of the usual elements seen in the social realism genre.

·         The plot usually tends to involve characters from the working class/poorer members of society.

·         There are always social issues included affecting these characters, for example, gang culture, violence, narcotic abuse, murder, bullying, or a loss of some kind, be it house, job, or a bereavement. The social issues are included to show it from a working class perspective so people in Britain can relate to these surrounding issues.

·         Economic factors play a huge part as the audience tends to get the impression that the characters would not be in their situation if they had more money, for example, take the character of Shaun from This is England If he had more money, he would not have worn flares to school and therefore not have come in contact with the skinhead culture.

·         There are several establishing shots to show the area, adding to the grittiness of the film, for example it is rather common that many social realist films will show poorer areas in society, like in Fish Tank we see a very run down council estate, with derelict areas.

·         When new equilibrium is established, often the equilibrium is entirely different to the original, or something important has happened to ensure that the situation will not happen again, for example, at the end of Trainspotting, Renton vows to live the life he decided he would never live.

Target Audience

Over the last 60 years audiences have changed. Old social realism films focus on the more middle class adults as they were shown in small art house cinemas making it affordable, as they want to see how the lower class live there life’s whereas now a days more recent social realism films appeal to the younger generation as there is more of an urban feel to them.

In our short social realist trailer we will be targeting young people of the age of 15, as the issues in the film will relate to them a lot more and the contents is suitable for this age group.

15 Certificate Analysis 

How much strong language can there be in a 15?

There could potentially be a great deal of strong language however at 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language for example the word ‘f***’.

Although though continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed for a 15.

Are discriminatory or offensive terms acceptable?

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this.

However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

How much sex and nudity is allowed at 15?

At 15 sexual activities can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail.

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.

Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.

Can there be strong violence?

Violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.

Is there sexual violence in 15’s?

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Can you see drugs in a 15 rated film or video?

At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15.

What about dangerous behaviour or things teens might copy?

We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

The information we have found will help us to classify our film in the appropriate age category and will also tell us what sort of things we can and cannot use.

All the information on this document was found on the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) website: www.bbfc.co.uk

- Darcia Kopycka-Wright