Narrative conventions and structure

Typically, and through research, an urban life film narrative begins with a protagonist who is illustrated in their natural environment/ social class. Some typical environments would include

• Inner-city
• Ghetto
• Council estates
• Parks
• Alleyways
• Broken down buildings
• Illegal shelters
• Prison

The protagonists family and friends are also shown sometimes, reflecting their relationships with other characters

There is then a disruption caused by an environment change or the antagonist. This gives the protagonist a challenge or issue in which they have to overcome. The protagonist would typically undergo life-threatening encounters and has to make big decisions.

This then forces the protagonist to make an escape from his issues/ problems and due to their actions, more problems are possibly created for others connected to the protagonist., sometimes even death.

Protagonist- Main character within a group, typically from a dysfunctional home, in a relationship and possible negative outlook on life due to social class

Antagonist- Considered a dangerous person for the protagonist, possible ex-friend, rival gang member or sibling

Others- Are people that would accompany the main characters in their daily lives such as barbers, postman or shopkeeper



Conventions of urban life

 

Urban drama is commonly known for its illustrations towards a realistic outlook of society and social issues. The typical urban life film also known as 'hood films' often shows aspects of urban 'black culture' and typically include rap, gangs, drug use, racism. murder and violence. Many of urban life films are produced to educate most of the audience and expose and teach them about many social issues surrounding todays society.


Conventions of urban life:

 

• Dark coloured outerwear clothes
• Hoodies/ tracksuits
• Trainers, watches, hats, sweatpants
• Guns, knives, drugs, bikes, dogs
• Hip hop, grime. drum and bass, rap, garage, R&B
• Fading in editing to show memories or flashbacks
• Amplifying tone
• Suburbs
• City noise, traffic, police
• Flats, small, dirty homes
• Low-key lighting

 





Our Story

 

We have tried to come up with a narrative that is interesting and involving for our audience. We have thought about the use of structure to the storyline, substance and the use of interesting appeals such as familiar situations and themes that run throughout the scene.

 

Ali has just been released from prison after serving a sentence for being invloved in drug dealing and crime. He has however, been let out early due to good behaviour and other satisfactory reasons. He is making his way home on public transport to his home city of Bristol. His destination is his half-way house, however Ali is reluctant to go there. Ali knows that now he is out of prison, he still owes money to his previous drug dealers and so is weary of where he is seen just in case his previous drug dealer Dom is around the area still. In the time of desperation and being cautious of his surroundings, Ali bumps into a girl who we soon recognise to be Stacey, which is Ali's ex partner. After an innitual moment to recognise and take in the coincidence, Ali asks Stacey to help him but she is reluctant to and needs more persuading. Stacey finally agrees to take in Ali for the night and so they both start to head on their way. However, Dom appears and interupts the two's conversation and instantly starts comfronting and arguing with Ali. Ali and Stacey start to flee before they reach a dead end. Dom eventually gets hit by Stacey in a moment of panic and he falls to the ground. Thinking Dom is dead, Ali and Stacey run away not realizing their fate that Dom is still alive and seeks revenge on the two.



Exposition - Ali is to be released from prison
Development - Ali is released and is on his way home to Bristol
Complication - Ali bumps into Stacey but Dom finds the two and starts a fight
Climax - Dom and Ali fight, Dom is hit and left on the floor, Ali and Stacey run away
Resolution - Dom is left, however he wakes up and ends on a cliff-hanger

Characters:

Ali - Hero
Dom - Shadow
Stacey - Herald


1.Exposition - We are setting the scene and introducing the characters by using establishing shots and shots of the main character in their natural environment. This is how we learn who the characters are and learn a bit abut their lifestyle by the place we have put them in.


2. Development - We introduce two more characters and realize that a situation is about to be unfolded. The situation is one character bumping into another after a long time without seeing each other.


3. Complication - Another character interrupts the others and we find out that a tense situation is about to happen between all the characters.


4. Climax - The suspense is high as there is a series of threats, fights and violence between all the characters which creates more problems. We feel the tension through the characters body language and facial expressions.


5. Resolution - We have decided to leave the scene on a cliff hanger to leave the suspension and mystery to the viewer. This intrigues the audience into what happens next to the characters and how they are going to resolve or come to a final ending later in the film.



 

Urban Life film scene

We have chosen to use the Bearpit in Bristol city centre as our location for our urban life film scene.

Dated back to the 1970's the bear pit was originally named after its appearance, relating closely to a bear enclosure at a zoo. It was the annual place of St James fair until closed in 1838. St James Barton roundabout (the correct name for the bearpit) was made a place of planted flowers and ornamental gardens in 1880, however by the late 1980's it became a haunt of beggars and homeless abusing the area which made the area feel aggressive and intimidating.  

The Bearpit in the daytime is a lovely area to walk through and stop for a drink or food at the small cafes situated inside, however at night the area turns to a darker, more scary area of Bristol and this is why we have chosen to use the Bearpit as our location for our Urban life film scene. The graffiti filled subways give the perfect place for the atmosphere we are trying to create while giving interest to the viewers eye and help add to the mise-en-scene. The area is perfectly fitted to our urban life film conventions as it includes

• Dark subways
• Graffiti walls giving the illusion of disruption and damage
• Low-key lighting from small streetlamps and underground subway lighting
• Busy traffic and loud noise
• The people that gather there also represent our genre (beggars and gangs)