Pre Production: Understanding "realistic" styles of storytelling : Fish Tank (2009)


Realism within films
realism
ˈrɪəlɪz(ə)m/
noun
  1. 1. 
    the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly."




 In a blog post by Tony McKibbin, he lists some of the things that is considered to be part of realism cinema; 
  • The absence of non-diegetic music 
  • The presence of non-professional actors, 
  • The use of off-screen sound,
  • An unobtrusive, under-privileged sense of framing, 
  • Colloquial dialogue – often only half-heard – against the light camerawork,
  • Monochrome or muted colour photography,
  • And the sense that if there is a plot it comes out of the immediacy of a life: that it serves to show up a social problem rather than offer an escape from it.

An example of a modern spin on realistic style of story telling: Fish Tank (2009)


Directed by Andrea Arnold

  • One of the first things I noticed was the aspect ratio in which this was filmed in. 16:9 - This gives a less cinematic look and made the film feel more like a home movie or almost like a documentary style with the use of crash zooms. 
  • Almost all of the shots were shaky, and this film had no smooth, stabilised shot. They were also very pacy- All of which adds character, sets tone for the film and further represents the main character Mia. 
  • They would include cutaways of individual items in Mia's room. This again enhanced her character even more without the need for the character to verbally express it.
  • Costume design and set design fit the time period that was portrayed. It had an early 2000s feel to it and suited the characters and was very prominent throughout the film. It reminded me about the importance of costume because that is a visual aspect that completes the whole look of the film. A good story is important but its also important that it visually matches the setting.


  • One of the things that I like about this film is the balance between showing a lifestyle that is shocking and real without ridiculing as much, you learn to understand rather than just judge. You get an insight into the development of alcoholism within a young person who is exposed to a certain way of life. I think this shows good directing and good writing because with a topic such as the one portrayed it is easy to run like the wind when trying to portray a certain demographic or stereotyped way of living. This is something that I would like to incorporate within mine as I will be giving insight into a serious topic. 

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