THE FINAL MEDIA HOMEWORK:

FORM AND STYLEBY: BEN BISHOP

DEFINE THE TERM ‘FORM’

‘Form’ is a term normally used to denote the shape or mode in which social realist texts exist however the term also refers to the types and kinds and ‘arrangement of parts’.

DEFINE THE TERM ‘STYLE’

• The term style refers to aesthetic devices used by film-makers and the artistic choices they make. These aspects are commonly used amongst social realist film- makers. They help show the workings of society

WHAT DOES ‘FORM AND STYLE’ REFER TO?

• Form and style refer to elements within the text, though it is important to note that they may be informed by practise, politics and content.

WHAT ARE THE 4 LEVELS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN USING THE TERM ‘FORM’

1. Social realism is a form of realism

2. This is confirmed by William’s four-fold conception

3. Social realism is secular in that it focuses on British cinema, and its characters are linked to place or environment.

4. Finally social realist texts have contemporary settings that is to say they comment or critique some aspect of life as it was when a film was produced.

WHAT DOES SOCIAL REALISM FOCUS ON?

• As commented on in the previous slide, social realism specifically focuses on British cinema and its characters which are inextricably linked to place or environment.

WITH SOCIAL REALISM TEXTS, WHAT IS IT THEY COMMENT ON?

• Social realist texts have contemporary settings that is to say they comment or critique some aspect of life as it was when the film was produced.

NAME A ‘CONCEPTION’ OF ‘FORM’ IN TERMS OF SOCIAL REALISM

• A conception in terms of social realism is considered a variety of artistic forms which employ social realist practises and techniques.

WHY DO FILM THEORISTS THINK SOCIAL REALISM IS AN ISSUE?

• For some theorists, it is purely an issue of ‘form’ in that is a term which allows us to distinguish between fantasy, experimental film, animation, and so on.

ELABORATE ON HOW SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS HAVE VARIED WIDELY

• Social realist texts have been quite varied since the documentary shorts from britan in the 1930s. From documentary series, to soap operas to reality tv. Social realist texts have been a big thing and they are only getting bigger.

DESCRIBE THE LINKS BETWEEN TV AND CINEMA

• For John Hill, any links or differences between TV and Cinema have been long abandoned since all cinema has become dependant on TV and video for funding and revenues

WHAT TERMS HAVE BEEN LABELLED TO THE WAY BRITISH SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH EXHIBITING

• A distinct preference for content over style. This led to the label ‘kitchen sink’ a term used to describe their drab representations

EXTEND THE DESCRIPTION ON THE TERM ‘POETIC REALISM’

• The term was influenced by the work of Humphrey Jennings, whose own work is a good example of what Higson sees as a undercurrent to the educative-sociologistic tendency within the movement which acknowledged and fore grounded the aesthetic aspects of the texts

WHY IS STYLE IN BRITISH SOCIAL REALIST TEXTS NOT SO SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS

• It is not as simple as presenting a ‘slice of life’ the social realism style has been employed across a range of genres. Specific stylistic concerns were utilitiesed at different times by different film-makers. The use of certain styles in camera work, iconography, editing etc… all add up to make a great film but only when used correctly and professionally.