Production log week 8

This week i got to develop the concept of my BSR film. I made three initial ideas that had to include four key things, which were; Themes, Narrative, setting/location and the protagonist. For each idea I made sure that the conventions, themes and situations would directly relate to the British social realism genre. The representation of the protagonist was also thought about very thoroughly as it plays quite an important role for the audience to understand and perhaps connect with. The themes I used were typical of what is expected to be seen in a BSR film such as; Poverty, Violence, Petty crime and so on, this was also important because it is vital that it relates to the genre. To expand on this I also thought about realistic, working class locations that I could potentially use within my film. I got places such as; Ilford and barking which have specific run down parts to it that can emphasise the theme of poverty and the harsh reality of underclass/workingclass people.

The key influences on my BSR ideas would have to be all the BSR films I have been watching recently. By watching various types of BSR films I got many ideas and combined them together with my own twists to it. This gave my some impressive results as I came out with different ideas such as; subverting stereotypical roles, which will allow me to make my film original and uncommon. 

I decided to work in the group I am working in due to the fact that me and my partner have similar ideas and interests. We both want our film to be based on themes such as; religion and poverty this will enable us to input both of our different ideas and hopefully create something amazing. I think this partnership could be quite successful as we are both ready to motivate eachother and work to our full potential. 

Our initial idea

The representation of the protagonist in my initial idea was inspired by the main character in the film 'Yasmin'. 

Initial idea presentation

Production Log week 7

The key issues I have researched this week were Britain's current affairs. Looking at BBC, Sky news, Newspapers and Google news we had to find three news stories that would make a good basis for a British social realism film and write one paragraph explaining why. 

When looking for a story in the news I had to consider appropriate themes, Locations and situations that may relate to a BSR film, For instance Murder, Cruelty, Poverty, theft, Crime and violence that take place within Britain. 

From looking at current affairs in Britain I got ideas on what themes and situations I can include in my own production which is also able to relate with the current society. Some storylines that I researched are quite unusual, this can make a positive impact to the ideas that I already have as it will allow me to make my opening sequence more unique and different to typical British social realist films.

During this week we also put together three initial ideas for our BSR film. This had to include the possible; Themes, setting/Location, Journey/Narrative and protagonist. This task was incredibly beneficial as it gave me a head start on what my production may involve. It also allowed me to think carefully and get feedback from people on which idea out of the three is best suited for My British social realist film (opening sequence). 

Initial ideas for BSR

Idea 1

Unfinished business

Protagonist

Gender - Male

Name - Haider

Age - 17

Representation of Haider = A Determined young boy who tries to change his rough way of lifestyle. Living in the Rural part of England, especially with a bad reputation due to his past it is hard for him to escape from gangs and violence.

Journey/Narrative -  A damaged boy who is wounded from his dark past and tries to change his way of lifestyle. His family abandoned him, meaning he had no choice left but to move into a trashy youth hostel. He see's a better vision of life and decides to mature up and change into an adult. This all went wrong when two of the boys from his past life, he tried avoiding move into the hostel with him. They have unfinished business with him and want payback for what he has done. The two boys trick Haider into being friends with them, peer pressure him into drugs and alcohol which result in wrecking his life completely. After all this damage they have caused, The two boys leave haider hanging in a dreadful state.

Setting/Location - London/ Ilford - gritty parts.

Themes - Drug experimentation, violence, Aspiration and escape, Petty crime, Neglect and Poverty.

Idea 2

Fake Identity

Protagonist

Gender - Female

Name - Ayesha

Age - 18
Secretive young girl living in two extremely different lifes.

Journey/Narrative -  Living through a struggle Ayesha has two very seperate lifes. She's had a fairly positive way of lifestle, being braught up in an excessively religious family. This all changes for her as she faces an awful, gritty way of life on the streets. As her family are unable to pay off debts they unexpectedly struggle from serious poverty. She has no choice but to turns to drug dealing and prostitution to make a living for herself and the rest of her family. Ayesha's family do not know she does this for a living as she puts on an act to be an intelligent, religious, wise young girl.

Setting/Location - London / Ilford - Ilford lane -gritty council estate area.

Themes - Religion, Poverty, Drugs , Sex, Sexuality, isolation and exclusion.

                 

Idea 3

Isolated

Protagonist

Gender - Female

Name - Laura

Age - 10

A Little girl living in a disruptive, unstable household. This has a very bad effect on her childhood.

Journey/Narrative - Laura's parents have an extremely abusive relationship which she has to witness on a day to day life. She feels depressed, lonely and neglected as she gets no care or attention from her parents. Laura struggles through a tough childhood which almost led her onto committing suicide. 

Setting/Location - London/ Barking, council estate.

Themes - Childhood, violence, corruption of youth, Domestic abuse, Neglect, isolation and exclusion.

What's in the news?

News story 1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24767981

 A young mother and two men were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a 17-month-old boy known only as Baby P. He died in London after suffering more than fifty injuries over an eight-month period, during which he was repeatedly seen by Haringey Children's services and NHS health professionals. 

This news story would make a great British social realist film. Possible themes which may be included for this storyline are; neglect, violence, mental illness, corruption of youth, abuse, isolation and exclusion. All of these themes are extremely typical of the BSR genre and is able to represent the lifes of underclass, disruptive, troubled people quite clearly. This story is set in North london, haringey which is a possible setting of a BSR film as it is a working class environment with rough areas around. Based on this tragic news story of Baby P, A possible British social realism storyline which can relate to it with a few twists may include situations such as; the childs Mother and step dad being mentaly disturbed/ill. Which led to neglect, unacceptable behaviour from the parents and an unsafe environment for the baby to live in. The child ends up being starved and abused on a daily basis and even fed drugs and alcohol which results to his death.

News story 2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23911381

A vigil has been held for a nursery worker shot dead as she celebrated her birthday in north-west London. Sabrina Moss, 24, died from a gun shot wound to the chest in Kilburn in the early hours of last Saturday while out with friends.

This news Story can make a good storyline for a British social realism film. As possible themes such as; Violence, Racism, Rebellion, Crime and death may be involved, all of which are typically seen in the BSR genre. Gun crimes and shooting are relevant to a bsr film as it is able to emphasise the reality/danger of troubled, underclass people living in rough, urban areas who are involved with this quite often. The location could possibly be set in London, Hackney a gritty, urban area where crimes like this may occur.
Based on this news story a possible British social realism storyline could be about a girl that is the victim as well as the protagonist who was involved in gangs and petty crime couple years back. She tries to change her way of lifestle but on the process, her enemies try and get payback. At her Birthday party she is shot by someone annonymous.

News story 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24987953

A woman has pleaded guilty to murdering three men whose bodies were found in ditches in Cambridgeshire. The bodies of the victims were found in March and April. All three had been stabbed.

The possible themes in this story may include; Violence, Crime, Poverty, and death. All of the themes mentioned would make a good British social realism film. This could be set in a gritty,rough urban area which is a typical location of bsr films as its usually where brutal crimes like this take place. This news story would make a suprising and extraordinary storyline for a British social realism film because its extremely unusual for a women to be committing such serious, violent crimes as their usually portrayed to be loving, gentle and warmhearted. A bsr film based on this storyline could be about a depressed Girl living a troubled life full of struggles which turns her into a disturbed young women. She kills three random men off the streets as she was not enjoying life, this was a way to release her misery. The protagonist could be a private investigator who catches her out before she can kill more people. 

Production Log week 6

This week I have learnt about the three essential devices in an opening sequence. These were the; Camera conventions, Editing conventions and Mise-en-scene conventions. We were told to analyse the fast half hour of three British social realist films based on the three conventions stated above. The films I chose to analyse were; 'Shank', 'Offender' and 'kidulthood'. The analyses of these films were presented on a powerpoint with detailed writing and pictures.

The conventions written in the images below are typical to be seen in a BSR film.

From analysing the three aspects I have learnt the typical conventions of the BSR genre. For instance I now know that the Camera conventions in a BSR film would most likely include Slow pans or tracking shots, Medium/Closeups of the main character and Hand held shots. Ive learnt that the Editing conventions in a BSR film often contain; Long takes, Simple/minimal editing, Audio Overlap and many more. Mise-en-scene conventions in a BSR film consist of; Natural lighting, Real locations, Dull colour palate, empty sets and so on. I have realised that all of these conventions are included in a BSR film to match the genre and fit in with the realistic theme. 

Gaining all this knowledge on BSR conventions will have a great impact on my production. I now have a better understanding on what to include in my film to suit the genre and create that extra sense of realism. Within my opening sequence I am quite certain to use specific conventions such as; Natural lighting, Jerky camera movements, Simple/minimal editing and most definately Real locations. I want my opening sequence to be extremely realistic and believable for the audience.

Beachcombing for Inspiration

Beachcombing for inspiration

Themes 

Dysfunctional families - I would like to include a theme like this in my film as it is truthful to the audience on how a underclass family behave and communicate with one another.

Violence - Violence is a common theme used in British social realist films, this theme may influence my work because it portrays the typical lifestyle of teens and young adults living through poverty in run down, urban areas.

Drug abuse/Drug experimentation - Is a theme I would like to use within my film as it gives out a clear message to the audience on the bad effects it has on people and their life. 

Typography

Typography that is quite big, basic and simple may influence my work as it is clear and obvious to read as well as understand. The basic font may be reflective to the normal lifestyle of people from the working class/underclass that are living in poverty, this will represent the theme of my film also. The colour will be appealing to the audience as white is usually eye-catching and sticks out from the background unless the background is white or cream. This way if the audience are too emerged in the film, they will also be able to note and familiarise the opening credits at the same time.

 sounds

Urban music similar to this certain song may influence my film as it suites the genre and location of the film. The lyrics in the song such as; 'Life's a Bitch' may relate to the life's of characters in a British social realism film, these lyrics also emphasise the fact that they live in a lack of hope. 

Costumes

In my opening sequence I would like to use similar costumes to the characters in kidulthood. They are seen to wear baggy oversized clothes, hoodies and tracksuit bottoms. I think young adults and teens living in rough, urban areas are usually stereotyped to be be dressed in this type of basic, scruffy clothing as they are typically portrayed as tacky, unwealthy people. 

Actors

This actors name is ' Kierston Wareing' she plays a subverted mother role in the film Fish tank, she doesn't seem to follow the stereotypical role of a mother. Kierston wareing is Mia's mother in Fish tank, she plays a corrupt, rude, uncaring role which also neglects her children. In my opinion she plays this bad example of a mother extremely well which emphasises harsh living conditions in a dysfunctional family. Here character is very believable to watch which is why i would want an actor like her in my film.

Locations

The locations shown on the images above are similar to where ide like to set my opening sequence. These run down areas represent working class people as they are likely to be seen in local chicken shops, parks and live in council estates. They're usually portrayed as people living in poverty and less educated.