An Analysis of Mise-en-Scene in "Fish Tank"

Production Design:

Fish Tank was filmed on set, in an area of Essex, where the main character lives in a council estate. The film was based in a rough urban area, and as the typical view of people living in council estates is that they are working or under class people, this connotes that the main character and her family are too. The main character is often seen in tracksuits, gold hooped earrings and chains and trainers. This again shows us the stereotypical view of how a chav/gangster is supposed to dress, which is what she is trying to be represented as. She is sometimes heavily made-up, which is another element we associate with that representation, this connotes that she cares about her appearance and her reputation around the area she lives. For example, in the trailer above, she is seen arguing with other groups living in the council estate. 

Lighting and Colour Design:

The lighting used in Fish Tank is natural, this adds to the realistic factor you expect in BSR films. It makes the film more believable and genuine for the audience. There are shots that have used natural lighting clearly, as its filmed outside on location. Also, there is a shot filmed in the living room and the only light used is coming from the TV as you can see the shadows on the character's faces. For example: 

There is a red colour design used instead of blue (like in most BSR films) on one shot which gives the shot a much more angry and dangerous feel to the shot. 

Actors:

Kate Jarvis, who plays the main character Mia had no prior experience in acting was cast after being seen arguing with her boyfriend at a train station by one of the casting directors. Using an unprofessional actor in British Social Realism films just makes the film more believable to the audience. 

Era:

The film was made in 2009 and I think that it was set at that present time. Some of the representations could still be applied to how things are now so the idea is still relevant today. For example, separation and conflict between gangs in an area. 

In my own work, I will ensure to use a suitable location and costumes. For example a council estate, in a rough urban area like the one used in "Fish Tank" might be used to represent the type of characters lifestyle and class. I will use natural lighting as it makes the scenes more believable and genuine for the audience, for example how the lighting was used in "A Room for Romeo Brass" there is a shot where the light is coming from the TV, and shots outside in the dark where you can see the natural shadows on the character's faces. Also in the same film, a blue colour design was used, which I plan to use for my own work as it gives the shots a colder feeling and adds to that idea of being tired of and suffering the daily grind and mundane life the characters in British Social Realism films tend to have. I plan to use a storyline that can be set now, in this era like in the film, "My Brother the Devil" as the ideas of conflicts between gangs and knife crime are covered which are relevant topics at this time. The actors in my own work will be regular people and  it won't be heavily scripted as conversation should come across more natural and should add to believability of the opening sequence.