Here are some examples of popular existing "coming of age" films, and the conventions which go with them.

1. Popular coming of age films…
• Clueless
• Mean Girls
• Boyhood
• Slumdog Millionaire
• 17 Again
• Superbad
• An Education
• Juno
• Very Good Girls
• Wild Child
• Easy A
• Camp Rock
• Bend It Like Beckham
• Kids
• Dazed and Confused
• Pretty In Pink
• American Beauty
• My Girl
• Almost Famous
• Princess Diaries
• High School Musical
• American High School
• The Spectacular Now
• The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
• Electrick Children
• Alabama Moon
• Forbidden Fruit
• Love At First Hiccup
• Crossover
• Kidulthud
• Aquamarine
• Cold Showers
• The Squid And The Whale
• Close Call
• Dorian Blues
• The Breakfast Club
• The Last Song
• Hannah Montana The Movie
• LOL
• Freaky Friday
• Mean Girls 2
•

2. Conventions of “coming of age” films…
Colours
• Colours in a
“coming of
age” film are
usually bold,
bright,
dramatic and
interesting just
like you would
expect a
teenage
character to be
like in a
“coming of age
film”. The
colours in this
film genre
would be the
complete
opposite in say
a “Horror” film,
which would be
dark, dull and
have a sharp
contrast.
Colours are
seen often in
“coming of
age” films are
usually colours
like…
• Pink
• Red
• Silver
Sounds
• Usually in a “coming of
age” film they use
a indie/pop
soundtrack. Its is
usually catchy and
easily
remembered. It is
common for these
film genres to
include non-
diegetic voice
overs from the
main protagonist,
especially in the
opening
sequence, for
example LOL,
Clueless and
Mean Girls. It is
common for you
to hear sounds
such as school
bells, talking and
gossip which you
would expect to
hear in a high
school. The sound
would usually be
loud and dramatic
also it is likely that
there would be
quite a lot of
music played
Locations
• typical locations in
a “coming of
age” film
would be…
• A high school.
• A shopping mall/
centre.
• A family house.
• A typical teenage
bedroom.
• A holiday
destination.
• A college.
• A university
campus.
• A pub.
• A bar.
• A club.
• A party.
There are so many
different locations
which are used in
“coming of age” films.
This is because the film
is based on the life of a
stereotypical teenager,
and they usually tend to
go to many different
places depending on
their character type and
personality.
Themes
• The most common themes
used in “coming of age”
films would be “love”,
“friendship”, “high
school drama/trouble”
and
annoying/protective
parents. Usually the
main theme would the
protagonist navigating
through the peer
pressures of high
school romance and
friendship, while
dodging their
overprotective/ strict
parents. Another
common theme would
be parties, alcohol and
drugs which is where
something usually goes
wrong. But this theme
is used because this is
something which
teenagers are taking
part in quite often, so
this theme relates to
the audience. Teen
issues are definitely a
generic theme too
because it relates to
the audience, for
example… mental
Lighting
• The lighting in
“coming
of age”
films is
usually
natural
and
bright.
They are
usually
filmed in
natural
day light,
which
causes
“coming
of age”
films to
be seen
as light-
hearted
and
cheerful.
However
there are
parts in
“coming
of age”
films
where
the
lighting is
dark, but
Iconography
• In “coming of age” films it is
common for there to be a
lot of iconography used, to
show the audience what
genre/theme the film is.
They often feature the
latest technology for
example…
• Smart phones, these are the
most common devices
used in “coming of age”
films, because it is a way
the characters
communicate just like
teenagers do, and it makes
the characters seem
stereotypical because it is
usual for older people to
think that teenagers spend
too much time of their
phones.
• Make-up is used a lot because a
lot of “coming of age” films
are based around teenage
girls who ae usually rich,
dumb and only care about
make-up and boys. For
example Clueless and
Mean Girls.
• Alcohol and drugs are used in
“coming of age” films,
because they will relate to
the audience.
Characters
• There is a wide
range of
characters
that are seen
in “coming of
age” films,
which
include…
• Teenage girl/ boy
is usually the
main
protagonist.
• Friends who could
cause
fallouts.
• Boyfriends and
girlfriends
who can
cause
happiness
and upset to
the main
protagonist.
• Single parents
which can
find it hard
to control
and take care
of their
teenager on
their own.
• Parents who can
be