Teen comedies are light-hearted films that depict exaggerated everyday situations in high schools and small towns to entertain audiences. Common storylines include coming of age, first loves, rebellion, angst, and alienation. Character archetypes established in films like The Breakfast Club, such as jocks, nerds, and outsiders, are frequently used. These films rely on comedic conflicts between characters and slapstick humor. They aim to amuse through bright settings, costumes, and physical/verbal jokes.

1. SELECTED GENRE: TEEN COMEDY
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Comedies are light-hearted dramas made to amuse,
entertain, and provoke enjoyment. In general, comedy films
exaggerate certain elements, such as the language or
situations that the characters find themselves in and offers a
representation of everyday life usually from the middle and
working classes of society. The majority of teen comedies
have a happy ending.
Usual settings and locations: High schools and small towns.
(E.g.: Freaky Friday, The Breakfast Club and Superbad)
Freaky Friday
The Breakfast Club

2. USUAL STORYLINES
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The storylines are often based around these kind of plots
- Coming of age (E.g.: Girl in progress)
- First loves (E.g.: 10 things I hate about you)
- Rebellion
- Angst
- Alienation
Teen films are almost always set in High school and the serious
subject matters, listed above are often presented in a glossy,
stereotypical and trivialised manner.
The codes and conventions of a teen film can vary depending on
the subject matter, cultural context and ideas that are trying to
be presented through the film. A majority of recurring themes
within a teen film are: Proms, alcohol, drugs, school, parties,
social groups, crude humour and pop culture. An example that
could be used here is ‘17 Again’.

3. CHARACTER TYPES
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The classic codes and conventions of teen film come from
American films where one of the most widely used
conventions are the stereotypes and social groups.
Initial stereotypes were established by ’The Breakfast
Club’ (1985) where the audience identified and recognized
the characters by their stereotypes. The
Jock, Cheerleader and social outcast became a familiar
feature for the audience.
Most commonly used character types include:
The Jock/Cheerleader, school diva, the geek/nerd, the
rebel, the misfit/outcast, the boy/girl next door, the new
girl/boy, the loner.
‘The Breakfast Club’ trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkX8JFKndE

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Comedy, like drama, depends on conflicts, in particular between
weak and strong characters.
Character comedy is another description of situational comedy –
the humour is in the general interaction of characters, not the
visual or verbal gag. It may also centre on one or two characters
with strong personalities who become the chief attraction in the
story. Such as Freaky Friday, which is also a slapstick comedy.
Slapstick comedy: A type of broad physical comedy involving
exaggerated, boisterous actions (e.g. a pie in the face)
Comedy films fall into two main sub-groupings. The comedian-led
film, structured through gags and sketches or/and the comedy
situation film with a more coherent narrative.
The Gag - visual, aural, verbal jokes, carefully timed and
delivered for maximum impact. For example, in this clip of
Friends, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWGY6CcHyew, when
Ross has finished speaking, we hear an example of non-diegetic
sound where the audience erupts in laughter.

5. MICRO ELEMENTS
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The majority of teen comedies are set in really bright towns/cities
that are well-populated. Costumes are used in order to enhance a
characters age group or be representative or their mood and
feelings. For example, in Freaky Friday, the outfit wore at the start
by the protagonist, Anna, allows us to make an inference about her
age group. Also, a wide range of camera shots have been used
ranging from long shots and close ups allowing us to have access to
the characters facial expressions and actions and there is a clear
use of slapstick comedy. Additionally, the camera moves very
naturally and seems to move along with the characters, allowing us
to follow their movement. Physical expression, vocal delivery and
interaction between the mother and daughter at the start of the
trailer has been used skilfully, it is clear to us how the daughter
and mother are feeling infuriated at one another through their use
of tone and interaction. Colours used throughout are quite bright,
this makes the audience see the characters in a brighter, less
realistic light. So we immediately assume more comical things will
occur. Also, the music used throughout the trailer is very upbeat,
further enhancing the comedy genre.

6. MICRO ELEMENTS
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The 180 degree rule has been used as well as shot reverse shot in
order to give the audience a sense of continuity and avoid
confusing them. Both deep and shallow focus have been used in the
trailer, in order to symbolise to the audience the significance of
certain things. The lighting is normal throughout, there doesn’t
appear to be any use of artificial lighting and the composition and
framing has been used skilfully to draw or keep our attention on
important things. Special effects were used when the spell was put
into motion, to obviously symbolise to the audience that something
was happening as this is no natural occurrence, and gesturing
towards the ‘fantasy’ genre. Editing has been used efficiently in
the trailer, and several slow paced/long take shots have been used
in order to inform us of the significance/importance of something.
Diegetic and non-diegetic sound has been used in the trailer. The
use of voice over is comical yet informative at the same time. The
non-diegetic score used at times added to the humorous value of
the scene.