The location in which the filming takes place is in a real life location. These real life settings are used in opposition to big Hollywood movies where they are filmed in studios. These 'real life' locations can be schools, council estates or parks. By using these locations, you are aiding the 'realism' aspect of the genre. These locations are also used because the social realism genre doesn't usually receive a huge amount of funding and are often indie/independent films and so they wouldn't be able to afford the big filming studios like films produced by studios such as Paramount can.
Camera Work
Obviously various shots will be included within a social realism piece, however, it is wide shots that are so frequently used. Wide shots are used so that the audience can get a full understanding of what is happening within the shot and helps them to emerge within the social aspect of the film, almost like they are in it themselves.
Actors
Non-professional or unknown actors are often used because it makes the film look more realistic if it includes 'everyday' appearing characters. Even if they were acting a character completely unrelated to themselves, viewers would find it peculiar if they saw Brad Pitt acting within a social realism drama, attempting to appear 'everyday'. Also, the majority of social realism dramas cannot afford to employ popular Hollywood actors.
Semi-Improvised Scripts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojJE84b75GM
Semi-improvised scripts are used to achieve realistic dialogue and true to life conversations. For example, in the French film 'Blue is the Warmest Colour', the actors only read through the script a few times so that they had a basic understanding of the story, but besides this, it was primarily improvisation. The link above is an extract from the film which was purely improvised by the actors. I felt that it was so well done, that as a viewer I felt as though I was intruding.
Regional Identities
Regional identities are dependant on where the film is based but the film should use accurate language, accents and dialect of where it is and also local issues, setting and even clothing.
Wider Issues
As a final convention of social realism dramas, the exploration of wider issues within these films is extremely common. For example, 'Trainspotting' explores the issues drug abuse and 'Blue is the Warmest Colour' explores the stigma around homosexual relationships.
