Research into controversial teen films

     

When I was researching different genres of teen film, I remembered that I watched a very controversial teen film growing up, and it opened my eyes to the dark places of teenhood I was yet to discover. This was the 2003 film 'Thirteen' which starred Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter.


           

'Thirteen' was a controversial film as it was not like an coming of age film I had seen before. It tackled taboo issues which were never showed to this extent in any teen film before. The young protagonist who was only 13, had fallen into a whirlwind trap on drugs, sex and rock and roll essentially.

This is just one of drugs used to portray the rebellion and substance abuse in the film. I would apply this research into the production of my own teen film in a number of ways. Firstly, legally there will be no drugs used in my teen film, however the audience will be made much aware of the fact that teenagers like to experiment and it may go wrong. Secondly, I want to explore a different sort of coming of age film where it shows there are rough corners, and no teenager sails through their years perfectly.

Audience Research Task 2

           

The new 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' film, was definitely a teen film that I would recommend. Recently dystopian films have been the top of the range with the release of another popular film to the category: Divergent. However this dystopian sequel did us all proud with the addition of the much needed romantic and action element. This type of film will appeal to both genders, and the addition of the big stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hensworth would also rake in views. This would give the audience a feeling of excitement as they take their seats as they embark on the gripping storyline.


                           

'She's all that' is definitely a teen film that you can empathise with. The irresistible cast of young Hollywood faces (Freddie Prinze Jr) tackles themes about the power of attraction and pressures of popularity through comedy. This coming of age film grips teens of both genders as it shows the struggle growing up and fitting in can be. With the addition of prom, the film really hits home with teenagers appealing to them with the storyline, of the interaction between cliques.


                            

This popular teen film is a hit with both genders, as it covers genres and sub-genres such as sport and romance. The diverse ethnicity in the cast also tackles racism and controversy of interracial relationships. The storyline of rebellion appeals to teenagers, as the protagonist goes against her parents wishes to follow her dreams.

The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring is a movie based on true events. A group of fame obsessed teenagers break into the houses and steal from the celebrities that they are so obsessed with. The movie is a drama teen movie with elements of comedy.

The movie tackles many themes and issues which apply to many teens lives:

• peer pressure
• drugs 
• friendships/cliques
• rebellion
• celebrity culture/lifestyle
• materialism
• parent-child relationships
• sexuality

  This helps the target audience relate to what is happening in the movie as they are going through similar things and feeling similar feelings which may make connect them with the characters more. 

The film has many different settings and characters which will help the target audience to connect to the characters as they can see how they live and hang out in places similar to where they hang out. Here are some examples of locations:

• High School
• Homes
• Bedrooms
• Beach
• Teen hangouts
• Clubs/Parties
• Cars
• Police Stations

Characters:

• Teenagers
• Parents/Adults
• Authorities

The characters are very far fetched and not like normal teenagers at all. They are popular and have lots of friends which will appeal to many teenagers who are not like that and who may want to be like that. It will also appeal to teenagers who are actually like that as they may see themselves in the characters and therefore relate to them on a more personal level.

the music and costume that the characters wear may also attract a wider range of audiences as many people are into music and fashion which would encourage them to watch the movie as it is a big part of the film:

• Hip Hop
• Pop
• Dance/Trance

Fashion:

• Stylish
• Fashionable
• Name Brand
• Young
• Celebrity

Genres and Conventions

What is a teen film?

A teen film is a movie which is based on the typical situations that teenagers might face. Love, conflict, sexuality, and violence, to name a few, are the stereotypical conventions within them. 

They are made for teenagers to relate to. 

Well known movies are:

'10 Things I Hate About You'

'Juno'

'Clueless'


The most common typical things you find in a teen movie are:

• The jocks; geeks; uptight cheerleaders; bullies; the girl who is transformed from the loser to the princess; the prom kings and queen; the clowns…
• Everyone hanging out at school (typical High School); the diner; the school car park; the track field; the changing rooms; at home; in the bedroom, living room or kitchen; at house parties; at prom; in the toilet; street corners; the 'mall'...
• The main themes of falling hopelessly in love; family conflicts; sports; summer flings; exploring sexuality; 

Genre and Convention

 What is a teen film?

A 'teen film' is a film genre specifically targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers e.g. coming of age, sex etc. These are some examples of teen films:

'10 things I hate about you' (1999). Starring: Heath Ledger, Julia Styles.

'Mean Girls' (2004). Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Jonathan Bennett

'Love and Basketball' (2000). Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Oman Epps.

 Who watches them?

As they are targeted to normally teenagers and young adults, they normally watch it a lot. However there are other age groups that watch it, for example, younger children who are coming to the age of becoming a teenager. They usually need guidance and are curious of teenagers and growing up. Also there is an older audience watching teen films as adults like to reminisce and be nostalgic.

 Sub genres in teen films

There are many different sub genres of teen film these such as: 

• Fantasy
• High School
• Horror 
• Romcoms (Romantic Comedies)
• Drama/Realist 

Conventional themes

There are many conventional themes that reoccur in all teen films, these include: 

•  Love, Relationships, Sex

• Gangs, Cliques

Conventional locations

The typical locations in a teen film can very from within the home, within the school/college to even popular 'hang out' locations. 

• Within the home: This could be the bedroom, bathroom, living room etc. 
• Within the school/college: This could be in the corridor, classroom, canteen, playground. 
• 'Hang out': This could be the cinema, diner, house parties, prom, or a friends home. 

Conventional characters

The conventional characters are normally:

• The Jock
• The popular cheerleader
• The Nerd
• The perfect girl
• The token black guy 
• The virgin

PRELIM - PHILLIPPA

15. PRELIM - Marwa, Lenya, Phillippa, Akbar from 283goswell on Vimeo.

Audience Research Task 2

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a teen action film. This type of movie will appeal to those who have a knack for action movies, or perhaps the actors in it, such as Jennifer Lawrence or Liam Hemsworth. This gives the audience the feeling of excitement and hope as the main protagonists are set to fight to the death to survive, and create a revolution on the way.  

Mean Girl is a teen comedy film. This movie will appeal to teenage girls mostly as the main protagonist is a teenage girl trying to fit into a new school which many can relate to. The use of well-known actresses, for example, Lindsey Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Tina Fey to name a few, will draw an audience in, therefore more appealing towards the target audience.

     

Scream 4 is a teen horror film. This movie will be aimed at those who get a thrill from horror movies, as well as having teenage characters to relate to. This film is about a woman who was haunted by a killer, and now  has a copycat who moved onto the next generation. The Scream franchise is very well-known to teenagers but also their parents alike, this will ensure that a classic film such as Scream will appeal to a younger audience. 

Audience Interviews

Summary

Today we interviewed four teenagers and one adult on what their views are on teen movies. This research was helpful as it gave us an insight into opinions from different age groups. Overall we came to the conclusion that comedy and action genres are popular, and that all audiences want a relatable film where they feel current issues are addressed.We will now keep in mind this research when brainstorming.

What happens at the start of a film?

The institution idents appears:

Well known idents are production companies such as Warner Brothers, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Paramount and more...

For example "Warner Brother Pictures presents..."

Then the title sequence comes in, introducing the cast and crew...

Music is key when setting the mood for the audience. The James Bond franchise tend to top all movies when it comes to setting the scene with music. 

An establishing shot is vital to the audience to understand what and where something is happening. Here we have Star Trek's establishing shot which happens to be the camera zooming out from a particular point to revel that the film is set on a spaceship in Outer Space. 

As well as having a establishing shot the opening scene must introduce the characters, what time period the film is set in, using M.E.S, the location to which something is happening using different camera angles to show where the characters are, and a reference to the main plot of the story. In the clip below of Star Trek, it has all the elements mentioned, thus creating the ideal for the start of a movie.

What happens at the start of a film?

There are many things that happen at the start of a film:

1) The Institutional Indents for example:

This is Metro Goldwyn Mayer which you could see at the start of films such as '21 Jump Street', 'The Hobbit' or 'Die another day', as well as many many other films!

This is Universal Films, which you could see at the start of films such as 'Pride and Prejudice', 'King Kong', or 'Snow White and the Huntsmen' as well as many other films!

2) Production Company Presents...

3) You see a title sequence - including the film title and the main cast names.

4) Music normally comes in at the start of a movie, this is to create a certain mood or atmosphere.



This is the opening film sequence of Skyfall which shows: a) the production company presents... and b) the title sequence with cast names and c) the music used which in this case is 'Skyfall' theme song by Adele! This creates a certain eerie and tense atmosphere which builds up as the song does, which is also emphasises by the moving image.

5) The start of a film also establishes the location and place.

6) The key/main characters are introduced.

7) The genre of the film is established through M.E.S, camera and other technical elements for example. If the genre of a film is horror, for example the Mise en scene could show a scary location/setting, maybe gothic features such as abandoned towers etc.

8) Finally, the storyline is introduced and the audience gain a sense of the plot.

Prelim (Casualty) from Vimeo

15. PRELIM - Marwa, Lenya, Phillippa, Akbar from 283goswell on Vimeo.

Prelim (Waterloo Road) from Vimeo

12. PRELIM - Amina, Mohamed, Esther, Saheba from 283goswell on Vimeo.

Waterloo Road Prelim!!!!

Group welcome post

This is two thirds of our group! We opted for a funny/not serious photo, so enjoy!