2. The beginning of Teen Films
• The 1950’s in America was where the teen film genre began to
come about. One of the first films of the genre was ‘The Wild
One’ (1953) this was a film showing a rebellion which is the
theme of most contemporary teenage comedies. This film was
very controversial and was banned in the UK for 14 years.
3. Teen films of 1950’s
• Another pivotal film for teen film genre was ‘Rebel Without a
Cause’ (1995) starring James Dean. This was one of the first
teen film which was solely for a teenage audience, it focused
on teenage romance and rebelling against parents. These
conventions are still about, as portrayed in Superbad.
4. The Evolution of teen films in 1960s
• With the evolution of the Hippie movement in America in the
1960’s, there was an emphasise on freedom, sex, love and partying. The
Hippie movement contributed to an increase in teen films however unlike
today they were often censored on what they could show unlike
today, where nudity and crude humour is common. Teen comedy films of
the 1960s include ‘how to stuff a wild bikini’ (1965) which was a teen film
about romance and rebellions. Another film was ‘Gidget Goes to Rome’
(1963) which was about a teenage surfer girl. A pivotal film of the 1960’s
was ‘Beach Party’ this focused on what many modern films focus on;
romance and having fun’
5. Teen films 1970’s
• Many spin off genres of teen comedy begin to
surface – teen horrors (Carrie) teen musicals
(Grease)
6. 1980’s
• This was the ‘Golden Age’ of teen comedies,
the evolution continued and now were
focusing on parents being clueless about there
teenagers with films such as ‘Girls want to
have fun’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’
7. 1990’s
• The iconic teenage film is American Pie, this focused on many
issues regarding a ‘typical’ teenager – for example; moving to
university, romance, drinking, partying. The pilot American Pie
was the starter of an 8 film franchise that focuses on all forms
of teenage life. The budget for the 8 films was $146million
and has made $980million
8. 2000’S
• There has been a massive influx in the amount
of teen films in the 2000’s with films like
Superbad and Mean Girls
9. Conventions of a teen films
• There are many conventions that are followed in the making of films;
proms, alcohol, high school, parties, all night raves, loosing virginity,
relationships, social groups and mainly focus on American-pop culture.
They use stereotypes throughout there films with groups such as
jock/popular, nerd, outcasts, loner and the popular girl.
• The films are commonly set in American High Schools (which allow for
cliques to be portrayed)
