Conventions of Teen films

Teen film is a genre of film, that is targeted at teenagers and young people and even has appealed to a younger market.

Teen films have been very popular within the entertainment world since the 50's. During that time it was the first time films were portraying young people and it made the older generation acknowledge that young adults existed.

The plot often focuses on:

• Coming of age


• First loves


• Rebellion


• Angst


• alienation
  
  Teen films are almost always set in High school and the serious subject matters, listed above are often presented in a glossy, stereotypical and trivialised manner.

The codes and conventions of a teen film can vary depending on the subject matter, cultural context and ideas that are trying to be presented through the film. A majority of recurring themes within a teen film are:

• Proms
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• School
• Parties and raves
• Social groups/"Cliques"
• Sexual themes
• Crude humour
• Pop culture
  
  A classic convention that comes across in a teen film are the stereotypes of teen social groups and personalities. These include:

The princess/School Diva

This is the well liked to the point of being worshipped female student. This character type would always regard herself as the alpha female, as they are popular, pretty and very arrogant.

The Jock


The American stereotype of a teenage male athlete and is regarded as the popular boy, in a high school sitting.

The new boy/ Girl
This character type usually has a major focus in teen romance comedies.



The boy/girl next door



The boy/girl next door also has a major focus in the romance side of teen films. This character is usually quite open, and is usually the childhood friend of the protagonist and if the main is a boy, she often does not recognise the feelings that the friend has for her, because of his youth and social status.

The Misfit/Outcast

This is the trouble maker within the school and is looked down at everyone, they never fit in to any group and often are up to mischief.

The Rebel

The rebel is the teen who has a rebellious nature, they don't conform and they resist authority and control.

The loner
This character type does not seek social interaction. They seek solitude for many reasons such as extreme shyness or introversion, religious or philosophical reasons.

The geek/nerd


They are known to have a extreme obsession over intelect, computers or comics. This character type is normally poked fun at.