Representation of social groups in coming of age films

1. Clueless

2. Clueless
Editing
In the opening
sequence the
editing is fast
passed which
shows the
energetic
behaviour of
teenagers.
This is also
good at
engaging the
target audience
as it keeps their
attention.
Camera
Angles
Lots of close
ups are
used, which
show the
emotional
depth of the
teenage
characters
Mise-en-scene
The high key lighting
of the opening
sequence shows the
teenagers as being
happy.
The setting for the opening sequence
of Clueless is not a true representation
of this social group as it is set in a
beach, like area, which makes the
teenagers seem spoilt, and a lot of the
audience will not be from a higher
class American background.
'Kids in America' by Kim
Wilde is a fast tempo song,
which presents the
teenagers as being
rebellious and energetic.
In the opening sequence of
Clueless teenagers are
represented as being
energetic and rebellious and
more interested in parties and
fashion that anything else.
The fact that teenagers are
badly represented means that
the teenage target audience
find it difficult to relate to
them, this could mean that
they can stay detached from
the characters, and find the
jokes directed at them funny.
No other social groups
are portrayed in the
opening sequence, so it
concentrates on the
teenagers, which
means you have
nothing to compare
them to.

3. Ferris Bueller's
Day Off

4. Ferris Bueller's Day
Off
The establishing shot of the
house, shows a middle class
family, and the non-diegetic
sound of the conversation
shows the family as being
normal.
The first shot of Ferris Bueller is a
close up, of him in bed, which
makes him seem weak and
vulnerable. This makes the
audience feel sorry for him, but
also initially paints teenagers in a
different light than how Clueless
does.
The sound over this
shot shows that there
are other people in the
room, who are
concerned for the
protagonists health,
making the parents
seem caring and
responsible.
The next shot is a middle
shot of his parents, who
now seem naïve and
gullible, shown through
posture and voice, which
puts the social group in a
negative light, which
would engage the target
audience, of teenagers, as
the two social groups are
usually conflicting.
Jeannie, Ferris' sister, is
portrayed very differently to
Ferris, as she is
argumentative and
stubborn. This presents
teenage women differently
to teenage men, but due to
the contrast between the
two characters, Ferris
appears more likeable for
the audience.
As we know already, the setting is
in a family home. The contrast
between the representation of
these two characters is
understandable and relatable for
the audience as it shows a
realistic representation of the
relationship between siblings.
Also, the conversation between
the two sets the equilibrium.
At the end of the opening
sequence, you get a very
different impression of Ferris
than at the start, and this is
shown through a wink, which
shows him as mischievous,
and deceiving, which gives a
more accepted representation
of teenagers.