Evaluation question 1

Purpose of film openings:

The purpose of a film opening is too ensure that the audience want to continue watching, to introduce characters and give a small establishment of how the storyline will progress. It should be clear what genre the film is and will normally involve the protagonist of the story. In most film openings there are generally credits for main characters, directors, editors and producers. Establishing shots are used in film openings to help the audience be familiarised with the environment that the story is set in.

Film Opening of Section 52:

Section 52 conforms to the codes and conventions of film openings by following expectations such as showing an insight into the themes of the film i.e. child prostitution, neglect and drug addiction; this provides a preview the events of the film. Our opening conforms to the stereotypical themes of the social realism genre, which usually tackles realistic issues in day to day life such as divorce, abuse and poverty. 

The title of the film Section 52 directly reflects the 'Causing or Inciting Prostitution for Gain: Section 52 sexual offences act of 2003.' The film tells the story of a neglected teenager who has become involved with an older man who is exploiting her. The examples of social realism film openings that we looked at such as Fish Tank and Trainspotters did not provide any clue of the content with their titles, however Section 52 challenges this by directly referring to the legal act behind the main theme of the film.

The setting and location of Section 52 relies on a stereotypical environment for the social realism genre which includes run-down urban areas such as council estates, skateparks and high-rise flats. This ideology conforms with many other social realism films based around the underclass.

The mise-en-scene used in Section 52 helps to develop the storyline, for example, when the text comes through on the mobile phone it indicates a sinister twist to the story so far as it becomes apparent that Simone (the girl) is being controlled in some way and that her troubles run deeper than her home situation. Multiple props are used to set the scene at the girl's house such as empty alcohol bottles and lines of cocaine, this helps the audience to decipher what genre of film Section 52 is as social realism often has themes of drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

The camerawork in Section 52 is used to represent Simone as vulnerable by using high angle shots this also makes her seem smaller in the shot and therefore can help depict her age. We also use a very stereotypical style of wide establishing shots to show the audience the locations that the film will contain.

We wanted the characters to help represent the mood of the film, for example, the mum is a neglectful alcohol/drug abuser therefore this helps provide empathy for the girl (Simone.) Subsequently, we have given Simone key characteristics to ensure the audience are aware that she is the main protagonist in a social realism film, by making her involved in activities such as smoking at a young age, stealing from her mother (money) and truanting. 

Created by Grace Cooper, Bluebelle Fulkes and Olivia Robertson