Research:Social Groups and Characters introduced in Teen Drama Films

Sub-Genre conventions 
Plots and storylines/characters and social groups introduced into teen drama films

Semantic: the way the films look = Micro
Syntactic: the stories the films tell = Macro

The main plot of teen films is seen to be the concept of coming of age in some way.

How this concept is told will depend on the sub-genre but is likely to focus on any aspect of the following as a way to represent coming age:

• Youthfulness of central characters 
• Conflict within relationships 
• Conflict with an older generation
• Management of adolescence by families, schools, law etc
• Romance 
• Sexuality and sexually active

The Macro aspects of a film include who produces it, cast, audiences for the film, plot lines, characters and general ideas about the order or way in which, the story is told.

High School Drama

1. Often girl centered but might have a male lead
2. Celebrate the idea of being young
3. Teen relationships at home and school
4. Changes/makeovers/conflict

An example of a High School Drama:

What is the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

Cameron James , a new student at Padua High School, is given a tour of the school by Michael Eckman , an audiovisual geek. During the tour, Cameron notices the beautiful and popular Bianca Stratford , and he is immediately smitten with her. Michael warns Cameron that Bianca is shallow and conceited, and that her domineering father does not allow her to date.

What order is the storyline introduced?

• The school life
• As well as the main characters

What characters are introduced?

• The new boy
• The Student Guide
• The bulyThe student guider
• The 'pretty girl' introduced

Social Groups

• The popular girls
• Cheerleaders
• Jocks
• Smart people

Youth Drama

1. Youth as a problem
2. The character is rebellious or in conflict 
3. Authentic Represntation
4. Social dillemas

What is the key plot idea introduced in title sequence?

• A volatile and socially isolated 15-year-old. She lives on an East London council estate with her single mother, Joanne, and younger sister, 
• Mia is a loner with a difficult lifestyle

• The life of a teenage girl, her struggles and independence a trouble maker.

What order is the storyline introduced?

• Main character getting in trouble 

What characters are introduced? 

•  Main girl character Mia
•  A group of girls dancing to a group of boys
• A man, (owner of the horse) 

Social Groups

• The Bad boys
• 'Coool Girls
• Chavs
• Misfit Teenager