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.