Popular coming of age films typically feature bright, bold colors that represent a teenager's personality. The films also commonly use an indie/pop soundtrack and include the protagonist's voiceovers. Typical locations include high schools, malls, family homes, and party venues. Central themes revolve around navigating high school relationships, peer pressure, and conflicts with parents. Character archetypes include the teenage protagonist, their friends and romantic interests, single parents, and teachers.

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
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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
• Green
• Purple
• Blue
• Yellow
• Orange
They are all quite primary
colours.
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 throughout
the film, because
music is something
which is definitely
popular with the
target audience.
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
disorders, depression,
stress, sexuality and
hormonal issues.
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
it is
usually at
or after a
party and
it is never
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.
• Cars are usually seen in “coming of
age2 films, especially at the
beginning when the ‘cool
kids’ are pulling up at school
which their first car.
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
overprotective
, strict or
annoying.
• Teachers who
might be
strict,
annoying or