The basics of a teen film

What is a teen film?

I am sort of doing about a third of my a-level on them so I guess it might be a little important to know. Well technically a teen film is a film which is targeted for young adults or teenagers and is based on their special interest.  What that means is basically, a teen movie is a movie for teens. Confusing isn't it? 

Well I will break it down. A teen movie is just a movie for a targeted audience (teenagers), the targeting is done by choosing stereotypes that are thought to exist in that particular age group and either agree with them or go against them here are a few examples.

  

The heart throb

 

A "heart throb" is a girl who all the guys are after or vice versa. This example is taken from Scott pilgrim vs. The world and the girl is called Ramona Flowers. Often, one of the main character falls in love with her and the have a few problems on the way but, it all turns out ok. Do note that the heart throb can be male or female

The bully

 

 

The bully is a very common antagonist of a teen film simply because most people (46% in the UK) have been bullied. Often in teen films, the bully ends up respecting the main characters and stops bullying all together.

The mean girl

 

 In most teen films there are always at least one girl who is very gossipy and constantly falls out with friends and spreads rumours and is completlely illrespecitve of others privacy. In this movie Mean girls, there are 3 but Regina (blond girl) is seen as by far the meanest.

The nerd

The nerd is in most movies, seen as  an outcast who often gets bullied, he is normally a main character. This is because most teen films sterotype nerds as victims and therefore has a large potential in terms of story.

Themes and locations

 

In teen movies common loctations are schools and homes as well as the local enviroments. Normal themes include: sex, drugs, alcohol, growing up, egos, popularity, crime, violenec and bullying. They are based on things that producers feel are common in teen life. Therefore overall teen movies are literally movies for teens