Exploring the Pros and Cons of Social Realism and Comparing with Horror.

The other part of the coursework task is the choose to create a social realism 2 minute opening sequence. Research on Social Realism Films led me to watching 'Tyrannosaur' and 'This Is England' again to look at what is included in these sort of films. Such things included are:

• A location shooting that the audience can connect with and that is not in a 'fantasy' world.
• These locations are usually shot 'inner city' and in a built up, urban environment.
• The use of actors that are not 'huge stars', this again allows an audience to feel the story line to be more realistic. 
• Exploring social issues within the film, (such as the challenge against racism in 'This Is England').
• The characters in the film triumphing over adversity.
• The camera shots that are used are also different and are using wide shots to establish the setting of the scene.

Pros:

• Roughly edited to create a more realistic feel to the opening sequence.
• Inner city based so easier to found locations.
• Easy to fund a film on a low budget.
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Cons:

• Background can sometimes distract from action.
• Performance of actors is crucial in the film.
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Comparison:

Although initially the filming of a social realism film is easier than filming a horror genre film. This is due to many facts including the location of filming in urban cities and often require less attention on the costume or make-up of characters but instead are more 'in your face' and hard hitting.

This is totally different to a horror film and with the ideas that I have decided to use in setting and suggesting what might happen in the film through the opening sequence, it fits more in with the genre of horror more than a social realism opening sequence.