Genre and convention

What is a teen film?

Teen films is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, alienation, crime or sexuality.

The large majority of teen films are set in high schools and colleges.

 

Stereotypical characters

• Jock/popular guy
• Nerd/underdog
• Pretty popular girl
• Outsider (e.g token black guy)
• Diva
• New girl/boy
• Rebel/bully

Typical teen film locations

• Within the home: bedroom, garden, kitchen, living room
• Within school: classroom, canteen, girls toilets, basketball court/gym, corridors/hallway, changing rooms

• Hang out locations: skate parks, estate, diner, restaurant, someones house
• Other locations: parties

Subgenres

• Musical
• Comedy
• High School
• Romance
• Horror

Genre and Convention

What is a teen film?

A teen films is a type of film that is targeted at teenagers and young adults, in order to do this the characters may include popular teen stereotypes such as:

• Cheerleader/popular girl 
• Jock/popular guy 
• Nerd/underdog 
• Rebel 
• Loner/Weirdo 
• Token black guy 
• "The Bitch"

Characters in teen films are normally based on strong teenage stereotypes. The presence of these stereotypes in the film increases popularity as it is relatable to their target audience.The Breakfast Club has used all of these stereotypes in their film, this is one of the reasons that would explain why people would call this a "classic".

Teen films also appeal to their target audience by using themes that are of interest to them, popular sub genres of teen films include:

• Romance 
• Drama 
• Comedy 
• Rebellion

Teen films tend to use common settings their target audience would find themselves in, this is another way of appealing to their interests as it is again relatable. The characters would normally be found in places such as; school, home, parties etc. An example of places in the home would be:

• Bedroom
• Kitchen
• Garden
• Living room

Twilight

ATL

17 Again

Genre and Convention

Genre & Convention

A teen film is based mainly on teenagers and their lifestyle, choices and needs. Teen films have many different sub genres in them like romance, crime, violence, horror and musical. Teenagers usually watch teen films because they are based on them and they find it interesting to watch. 

School Graduation

Bedroom Scene - Horror

Characters

Teen films have a variety of characters ranging from the most popular to the least and the heartthrob and the geek. The characters are usually based on strong stereotypes.

Locations

There are usually typical locations in a teen film which makes it more generic to the audience. you would not typically find a teen film location set in a bank or office. Teen films can be seen set in places such as the classroom, mall, cafeteria, hallways and school hall.

Raunchy Stage Performance

Romance

  

Analysis of 3 teen movies with different audiences

Romance: Twilight 

Twilight would probably appeal mostly to teenagers, because the characters start off in high school so teenagers may be more likely to relate. Twilight would also appeal to people who enjoy romance because of the complicated love story that goes on throughout the whole saga. Quite a few teenagers enjoy fantasy and fiction, so the idea of vampires and werewolves could be a bug attraction, especially the fact that they do not completely act they way we would expect them to. 

Comedy: Kick Ass

Musical: High School Musical

High musical would probably appeal mostly to teenagers, because the characters start off in high school so teenagers may be more likely to relate. Also, in high school musical Troy and Gabriella could be seen as the "perfect couple" and Troy as the ideal boyfriend, this is probably what most girls would love to have. Which could be another reason why teenagers, especially girls, would love to watch it.

Analysis of 3 Teen Movies with Different Audiences

Teen Films

Teens films can have many different genres such as; hood drama, comedy ,horror etc. Usually this would result in different audiences, as the themes/stereotypes in their film may appeal to a certain group of people.

Kidulthood (Hood Drama)

Kidulthood is directed and acted in by Noel Clarke. It is a hood drama that would appeal to the urban youths of London both female and male. The story follows a group of young teens in London who go to school together. The film covers issues such as teen pregnancy, violence, juvenile delinquency and many others. In this way they relate to their target audience as they cover a wide variety of controversial issues. In order to connect to their target audience there is a presence of strong stereotypes amongst the characters, as they portray enforce the stereotype that all young teens in London are  criminals, rude and uncivilised. This stereotype can help the characters be more the relatable as their personalities are clearly shown through their attitudes and costume.

John Tucker Must Die (Rom Com)

John Tucker Must Die is a teen rom com set in a high school. The target audience of this film would be teen girls but the movie could easily appeal to anyone outside of this criteria. The movie follows 3 teen girls (played by Arielle Kebbel, Sophia Bush, and Ashanti) in highschool who plot revenge on their boyfriend John tucker (played by Jesse Metcalfe) after they discover he has been cheating on all of them. They recruit new girl in school (played by Brittany Snow) after she makes them have a revelation about the situation, "don't get mad. get even". This movie would strongly appeal to any girl who has been wronged by a boy, as it may fulfill their hidden desire to hurt him the way he hurt you.

Fame(Musical,Drama)

Fame(2009) is a loose remake of the 1980's film and is a musical drama. It is set in the New York City High School of Performing Arts. The story follows a group of teens who all have their individual story to tell. The target audience would most likely be 16-24 year olds with a passion for the arts as the film is predominantly made up of these themes. Although I think that the secondary themes of repression and struggles with conformity will easily appeal to those who fit outside this criteria.

ANALYSIS OF 3 TEEN MOVIES WITH DIFFERENT AUDIENCES

TEEN FILMS

CLUELESS TRAILER:

The genre of the movie is american comedy. I think that the film appeals to females more than males, as the story line is based around love and relationships, which would interest girls more than boys and also the main characters are females.  The story line is pretty simple but the way it was presented made the film more interesting.  The story appeals to teenage girls, as the film rotates around the theme of romance in a comedic way.

CARRIE (2013) TRAILER:  

                                                
This is for any one to be honest, anyone that has been bullied, anyone currently in school, any girl, any boy. Honestly, it's for any one. It uses CGI to create the effect of moving/flying objects. It would be liked mostly by girls as the main character is female, and the topics (periods) shown are more relevant to the female audience. It is a bit of a horror film, so male audiences will be interested and also it doesn't focus too much on 'girly topics'

SUPERBAD TRAILER:

This film is target mostly to boys, but equally to girls too. I say this because the main characters are young teenage boys and some of the topics and themes shown in the film, boys can relate to better than girls. But it is a comedy so i think anyone can watch this (16+ because of swear words). The film is just three guy friends, where one gets a fake idea to buy alcohol for a party they are going to. Things don't go to plan, slowly their plans get worse, but they do make it to the party. They are nerds, so are social out casts and don't get the girls they want (at the beginning).

Teen Film Romance Drama and Upset

Teen Romance Drama 




drama and upset by shardonnay23 on GoAnimate