Popular coming of age films explore themes of navigating relationships, peer pressure, and asserting independence. They commonly use bright colors and catchy pop soundtracks to portray the perspective of teenage protagonists. Typical locations include high schools, malls, homes, and party venues to reflect the social lives and exploration of teenagers. Character archetypes represent friends, rivals, parents, and other social influences that teenagers encounter during this developmental period.

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
really seen
as scary
like a
“Horror”
film would
be seen as.
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
caring.