Social Realistic Conventions in 'Fish Tank'

Hand held camera -  This convention is particularly noticeable when Mia is running, for example, when she comes downstairs to find the social worker in her house and overhears her mother talking about where Mia might have to go, she leaves the flat and runs down the corridor with her mother shouting after her. The movement of the camera is almost as if the viewers being taken with her, and forcing the audience into Mia's point of view, and seeing the world from a minority. 

Limited or no use of non-diegetic sound - This is particularly supported due to the lack of music during the film, and any music that is used is demonstrated throughout a visible medium. For example, whenever she dances there is a noticeable CD player. One interesting point is when Mia chooses to listen to her music through her headphones, and the audience are able to hear the same thing as they would if they were literally in the room with her. This is typical to its genre in the way that the film is presenting real life and nothing more. 

Social Change - A particularly important convention used for the social realism genre is the use of a particular time in history. 'Fish Tank' is a modern day film, and is based within the time when the UK was living in a recession. This is subtly presented throughout the entire film, one example being when Mia walks through the town and all the shops she passes are boarded up or closed down. 

 Film Noir Conventions 

• Use of a voice over - this gives the audience a clear view of their ideology and background. An example of this was in one of the final scenes of the film where John Hartigen directs the audience during his final few moments when he describes why he is about to commit suicide. His decision to end his own life in order to save Nancy's is very typical of his character - being the cynical protagonist.

• Hard lighting (high contrast and low key) - the use of this enables the audience to be able to distinguish the characters we trust, to the one's we shouldn't. Equally, some characters are shown half light and half dark, giving the audience a sense of how much corruption runs throughout the film as this can feel a sense of unsureity. A prime example of the impact lighting can have is shown when we first meet Kevin; his face is shown completely in the dark, making it clear that he is not a character we should trust. 

• Cynical protagonist - believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity or doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile. Traits of being cynical are often reflected in the male characters, as they tend to not value their own lives due to them being alive during the cold war. A prime example of this is John Hartigen supposedly dying for Nancy as a little girl. He quotes, "i'm going to die anyway", living up to his cynical protagonist characteristics. 

Comic Book Conventions

• High usage of over exaggerated non-diegetic and diegetic sounds - this is important to the comic book genre, especially in relation to the fight scenes. For example, when marv gets into a fight, his punches are overly exaggerated. This is clearly a product of post production, but elevates the impact of the fight and also possibly relates to his 'superhuman' strength.

• Superhuman strength - this convention relates well to the theme of heroes and villains. All the male protagonists have traits of superhuman strength, making them very masculine and heroic. A prime example of this is when Marv bursts through the door, policeman get knocked down by the 'explosion' and he jumps down a flight of stairs.

• Trenchcoats acting as capes - This is a post modern take on the traditional cape, as it is able to relate to both Film Noir and Comic Book genre. When Dwight jumps out of the window, his cape flares out behind him as he is falling, giving the impression that he almost flying. Also, when Marv is about the murder a person, he takes his coat off, showing he is clearly aware that his actions are worng and not hero-like.