The document discusses codes and conventions commonly found in teenage drama films. It covers how these films are narrative-driven and use realistic characters and storylines to allow audiences to relate to the film. Cinematography focuses on close-ups and point-of-view shots to build empathy, while editing uses slower pacing to emphasize emotion and faster pacing for tension. Sound incorporates voiceovers, melancholy music, and minimal non-diegetic effects to provide insight into characters' feelings. Mise-en-scene aims to enhance authenticity through locations, costumes, and natural lighting that make the film feel true to life.

1. Codes and Conventions
of a Teenage Drama

2. Narrative
The plot of any film is the focal point however, for a drama film,
it is very narrative driven as it is exploring genuine situations
which makes the audience involved with the film

3. • The film will typically convey real life situations with realistic characters and
storylines in order to allow the audience to relate with the film.
• There will be character development and we will see the journey that the
characters take in order to reach this state of development.
• The main storyline will be centred around a conflict that deals with realistic
struggles and a point of difficulty that the character goes through that is made
evident through intense social interaction like friendship groups or gangs.
• The climax will usually allow the audience to be emotionally involved with the
situations portrayed and it will keep the tension going so that the audience can
empathise with the emotions in the plot.
→ The audience don’t need to be familiar with the situation but they need to be
familiar with the emotions in order for the empathy to occur.
• There will be some form of realisation, resolution or a happy ending that makes
the audience feel satisfied.

4. Camera Shots and Movement
A range of camera shots can be used in a teenage drama
however, there a certain camera shot types and movements
which add emphasis to the narrative.

5.  Close-up shots will be frequently used in order to captivate the
emotions and feelings behind the character. Also, this helps the
audience to create a personal attachment with the character as we feel
closer to them rather than distanced which shows were are becoming
more in touch with character.
 Point of view shots will be used so that we can get the characters
perspective of the situation. Also, this allows us to be put into the
characters shoes which therefore gives us the opportunity to empathise
with the situation and see how they feel. As a result, we are again
building a personal attachment.
 There will also be various cross-cutting between shots to show the
character having a flashback or for the audience to see a certain event
that happened previously which isn’t necessarily shown in the film as
an individual scene but it allows us to be more informed of what the
character is going through and past experiences.

6. Mise-en-Scene
The overall mise-en-scene of a drama film is that it reinforces
the nature of the narrative and typically, it will try to enhance
the authenticity behind the storyline.

7.  The location of the film will reflect the situations the characters are in. For
example, if the storyline is based on a teenage character who is involved with
a gang, the setting will be at a council estate to emphasis the fact that the
character isn’t wealthy and that there is a certain stigma attached to a council
estate as being looked down upon and is seen as ‘trashy’ to society.
Therefore, this reflects the character as being in a gang is seen as bad and
threatening.
 The clothing of each character will usually be kept quite casual yet it will have
to represent their personality and add a sense of identity to them as this allows
the audience to differentiate between each character. Also, the clothing can
reflect how the character acts and is treated which therefore determines how
they deal with certain situations.
 Lighting will be natural and authentic as the narrative cannot be overpowered
so by keeping the lighting natural, it adds a sense of realism to the narrative
and since a drama film is narrative driven, the less complex the visuals are,
the more the narrative can speak volumes. Although, the lighting will be quite
de-saturated in order to make the emotions effective.
→ Allows film to look as natural as possible.
→ Makes it true to life and fulfils aim of achieving a realistic look.

8. Editing
Drama films will tend to step away from the dynamic transitions
and editing types and try to focus on the pace of the scene to
highlight the intensity behind the scene

9.  Slower paced scenes will be primarily used so that this can emphasise the
emotions within the scene but also, it allows the characters and audience to
create a personal attachment because by slowing the pace, we are able to
fully see the intensity of the emotions and this gives us a reason the
sympathise with the character.
 In contrast, there will be scenes which are fast paced to evoke panic or
nerves. This will generally be made effective when the tensions are running
high or when the storyline has reached the climax because this gives us the
indication that the situation has reached another level.
 Dynamic editing like jump cuts will be avoided as it takes away the
authenticity of reality of the film and it reminds the audience that they are
watching a film, therefore it defies the intention of engaging the audience’s
emotions.

10. Sound
Sound will be a vital part of the film as this can present emotions and
feelings more clearly for the audience as it gives us a deeper look
into how the character is feeling. Moreover, with music being
essential for a teenager, this lets us into the characters mind as we
are almost given an insider look into their thoughts and feelings.

11.  The use of an asynchronous voiceover will allow us to see the
perspective of the character as they would essentially be narrating
what’s happening to us.
 Melancholy music will be used during scenes where the emotions are
running high and this will help to accentuate the deep feelings the
character has. Also, music will generally be played during shots
where little or no dialogue is used so by using the music, this can
inform us about the way the character is feeling.
 There may be little non-diegetic sounds used because it adds to the
effect of the film looking more natural and realistic. This adds to
illusion that, as an audience, we are getting a closer look into the
characters lives.