The Genre of Teen Film & Television
The phenomenon of teen film began back in the 1950s, with films like The Wild One (1953), Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Blackboard Jungle (1955). This was a time of economic prosperity in the United Statesa nd teenagers were recognised as large consumer group. “They are multiplying in numbers. They spend more and have more spent on them. And they have minds of their own about what they want.” (1959, LIFE magazine) With teenagers being featured in the film industry and recognised within consumer industries, the teenage sub-culture was developing.
Teen films experienced a renaissance in the 1980s with the release of films like The Breakfast Club (1985) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). In Teen Movies: American Youth on Screen, Timothy Shary ties the resurgence of teen movies in the 1980s to the development of shopping malls across the United States: “With the relocation of most movie theatres into or near shopping malls in the 1980s, the need to cater to the young audiences who frequented those malls became apparent to Hollywood, and those audiences formed the first generation of multiplex moviegoers.” This resurgence of teen films, like the development of the genre itself, can be linked to filmmakers tapping into this lucrative market. |
The Breakfast Club
Explores the themes of relationships, rebellion and self-realisation. Mean Girls
The cafeteria scene that displays the schools well-established cliques (or stereotypes). |
Conventions of Teen Film
Stereotypes
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Clueless
Cher attempts to redeem her superficial ways by taking the 'ugly duckling' new girl under her wing. High School Musical
A basketball jock can't sing in the school musical!! HSM summarises the idea of the status quo in this catchy tune; eventually they all accept their unique qualities and live happily ever after.
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These are only a few of the typical stereotypes you might find in teen film and television.
Activity:
Brainstorm or discuss with the class other stereotypes you may encounter in the teen genre.
Acknowledgments:
http://lessonbucket.com/media/year-9/teen-film/
Activity:
Brainstorm or discuss with the class other stereotypes you may encounter in the teen genre.
Acknowledgments:
http://lessonbucket.com/media/year-9/teen-film/
Key Words for this unit:
Activity:
Write a short definition for the following terms
Write a short definition for the following terms
Genre
Code
Convention
Construction
Stereotype
Code
Convention
Construction
Stereotype
Napoleon Dynamite
Directed by Jared Hess (2004)
After viewing the film, write a film review.
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The Breakfast Club
Directed by John Hughes (1985)
After viewing the film, write a film review.
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So..... how do we analyse film?
We examine, deconstruct and decode how the codes and conventions are used in film the to create meaning for the audience.
We examine, deconstruct and decode how the codes and conventions are used in film the to create meaning for the audience.
Mise en Scene
Mise en Scene - Setting
DEFINITION: the arrangement of the scenery, props, etc. on the stage of a theatrical production or on the set of a film. The setting or surroundings of an event.
Mise en Scene is a french term that translates to 'staged'. It refers to everything we see within the frame; the set, costume, colours, props and overall lighting. It also refers to how these items are places within the frame. Nothing is there by accident.
DEFINITION: the arrangement of the scenery, props, etc. on the stage of a theatrical production or on the set of a film. The setting or surroundings of an event.
Mise en Scene is a french term that translates to 'staged'. It refers to everything we see within the frame; the set, costume, colours, props and overall lighting. It also refers to how these items are places within the frame. Nothing is there by accident.
Looking at Setting
How does this scene establish the world/community of Edward Scissorhands? In contrast, look at the setting of Edward's castle, how has this scene been constructed to provide information to the audience?
How does this scene establish the world/community of Edward Scissorhands? In contrast, look at the setting of Edward's castle, how has this scene been constructed to provide information to the audience?
Looking at Story
Look at the the below still images, take note of all the different elements of Mise en Scene. What might each element symbolise or imply? How does the construction of the scene give us information about the character and their story and world?
Look at the the below still images, take note of all the different elements of Mise en Scene. What might each element symbolise or imply? How does the construction of the scene give us information about the character and their story and world?
Acting
Acting - Body language, facial expressions, voice, dialogue etc.
This is how the actor is standing and the body language they are using to show the audience the characters feelings or thoughts. Facial expressions are also used to express the emotions of the character. The actor's body shape/type also tells us about the character, are the they skinny? tall and muscly? small and meek? How an actor uses their voice also give the audience lots of information. Accents can tell us about background and culture. The use of tone, pace and volume can communicate to the audience the character's emotions. Are they whispering or yelling their lines?
This is how the actor is standing and the body language they are using to show the audience the characters feelings or thoughts. Facial expressions are also used to express the emotions of the character. The actor's body shape/type also tells us about the character, are the they skinny? tall and muscly? small and meek? How an actor uses their voice also give the audience lots of information. Accents can tell us about background and culture. The use of tone, pace and volume can communicate to the audience the character's emotions. Are they whispering or yelling their lines?
Looking at Body and Face
There is no dialogue in this animated short film by Pixar For The Birds, so how do we learn about the characters?
There is no dialogue in this animated short film by Pixar For The Birds, so how do we learn about the characters?
Look at the scenes below, take note of how the various actors use their face, body and voice.
Abigail Breslin in
Little Miss Sunshine |
Heath Ledger in
The Dark Knight |
Will Smith in
The Pursuit of Happiness |
Sound
SOUNDTRACK - complementary music that may not be original to the movie.
SCORE - A film score is the music composed specifically for the movie to serve and enhance the story. It is usually instrumental.
DIEGETIC - The source of the sound can be seen in the screen or is implied to be present. It can be voices, objects in the story (telephone ringing, music from a radio, door slamming). It is coming from the film's world.
NON-DIEGETIC - The source of the sound is not visible or implied to be present. It can be narrator voice overs, sound effects added for dramatic impact, or mood music such as the soundtrack or score. It does not come from the world of the film.
Looking at Music
The score for this scene in Star Wars: A New Hope transforms an ordinary scene into a dramatic and classic moment in cinema. Watch it muted first and then add the sound, how does it change your viewing experience?
The score for this scene in Star Wars: A New Hope transforms an ordinary scene into a dramatic and classic moment in cinema. Watch it muted first and then add the sound, how does it change your viewing experience?
Looking at Sound
This scene from the film Forrest Gump has a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Can you identify what sounds are diegetic and non-diegetic?
This scene from the film Forrest Gump has a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Can you identify what sounds are diegetic and non-diegetic?
Putting it all together
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Watch this scene from the film Charlie's Angels, then download and fill out the table as you decode and analyse the different production elements of Mise en Scene, Acting and Sound. |