This document provides an overview of the teen genre in media. It begins by describing how the author created a mind map of expected elements in teen media products. It then defines the teen genre as targeting 13-19 year olds and reflecting their lives. Key plots often involve coming of age, relationships, and peer pressure. Stereotypical characters are commonly used. Settings usually involve schools, homes, and local hangout spots. Props typically include technology, substances, and school supplies. Dialogue employs slang and jargon. The history and evolution of the teen genre from the 1950s onward is examined. Various teen subgenres like musicals, dramas, and thrillers are also outlined. Three example films

1. Introduction to
Introduction to
the Teen Genre
the Teen Genre
By Zsanett Stockdale

2. 0 As a group, we created a mind map of elements we expected to witness in a media
product, of the teen genre. We created this before any research and analysis, as we
wanted to see what we knew due to our pre existing personal knowledge.
0 The blue post it notes represent key themes, and narratives. The yellow post it notes
offer traditional character, whereas the pink ones offer props, and the purple offers
settings. The white post it notes contain teenage films, differing in their subgenre (if
any), and any other elements separate from the categories provided, which we
believed were commonly found in the teen genre. For example, camera angles and
music.

3. Defining A Teen Genre
0 The teen genre, is a genre that is ultimately targeted at teenagers. Audiences of alternate ages can
also be targeted and attracted to the media product, however this genres primary target audience
is teenagers, including all genders. A teenager varies from 13-19, therefore many films are
produced, which offer diverse storylines due to the large life stage. For example, film ratings such
as 15 and 18 are all included in this teen genre, however they offer opposing narratives only
suitable for the ages stated. Teen films can also be restricted 12 and 12A, however offer a more
‘preteen’ approach. As a result of this, the teen genre is very broad and inviting to numerous
narratives, themes and opportunities, which allows it to maintain it’s popularity with audiences.
0 Due to their targeting of teenage audiences, teen media products reflect the lives of teens, through
their use of mise-en-scene, editing, camerawork, sound and narrative, use of language, dialogue
and tone. Macro elements, such as distribution companies and characters are also considered
depending on the media products individual approach, such as a teen indie film, is more likely to
be distributed by an independent company, rather than a glamorised Hollywood one, this works
the same was as with a publishing company for a book or novel.

4. Key Themes and Plots
0 Plots often reflect situations that would occur in teenagers lives, such as coming of age,
conflict (with parents, school etc.), first love, alienation, rebellion and ‘fitting in’.
Alongside these plots key themes that often occur in the teen genre is substance
abuse, physical and mental health, violence, teenage pregnancy, sex, gangs and ‘turf
wars’, relationships, teenage pressures (exams, college, university, appearance) and
peer pressure.
0 The teen genre may differ in their approach, as a result of their specific target
audience. For example, Gossip Girl may not appeal to working class teenagers, as
the TV series features the lives of rich, upper class teens in America. Nonetheless,
these key plots and themes remain, however may be altered to reflect their desired
audience. Similarly, this continues throughout other elements like dialogue,
costume and props.

5. Representation and Characters
0 Stereotypes are a huge convention featured in the teen genre, which are often based
on previous media examples, such as films, TV series or even the portray of
teenagers in the news. The use of these stereotypes allows audiences to identify
characters more easily as they’re constantly faced with the over simplified image of
idea of the person. It also argued that stereotypes are common in the teen genre
and the overall portray of teens, due to the adults creating and producing these
products. Therefore, adults reflect their stereotypical concerns and anxieties over
young people (Giroux). Character stereotypes include: the new boy/girl, the ‘it’
girl, the outsider, the athlete, the nerd, the bully, the class clown, the rebel or misfit,
and so forth.

6. Mise-En-Scene
0 Settings are usually of locations which are inhabited by the majority of
teenagers. Such as high schools, including the canteen, gym, corridors,
particular classroom, common room or the front of the school. This
applies to colleges and universities too. Characters houses are common,
usually concerning sleepovers, house parties or the dinning
table/room. A local, highlighted area may also be used such as a local
park or beach, inhabited by young people.
0 Props traditionally incorporated into the teen genre are of: technological
devices, such as mobile/smart phones, laptops, Ipads, video cameras
etc. Alcohol, dugs, weapons and sexual referenced items are also
commonly shown. Props relate to the character, therefore they differ,
however props such as exam papers, books, school bags and stationery
are common due to their association with teenagers and their position
at school, college, university or sixth form.
0 Costume and make up rely heavily on the plot and subgenre, however the
traditional elements are of branded items (real or fake), tracksuits,
revealing clothing's (especially concerning female teens), ‘hoodies’,
caps, trainers, subtle but defined make up and ordinary hair. A product
aimed at working class teens may be described as wearing fake
branded tracksuits, whereas a product targeting the middle to upper
class may have branded, real costumes, to emphasise their wealth.

7. Dialogue, Editing and Camerawork
0 Slang and jargon are frequently spoken and used within the teen genre, due to their heavy
associated with younger people. Stereotypically younger people are known for their use
of ‘poor language and vocabulary’, and instead inherit the use of slang and jargon,
creating words and phrases suited to their age. These are often shown in teen genre
media products to show relation to young people, as well as show the divide between
different ages. This doesn’t have to be spoken in a ‘chav’ like way, as it offers the
opportunity for all teenagers of all classes to adopt this use of dialogue.
0 Editing in film and TV trailers, differs due to the content of the film itself, as well as it’s
subgenre. However, jump cuts are often used to show distortion, especially scenes
focussing on parties, substance abuse and mental illness. Some scenes are fast paced to
reflect the fastness of youth.
0 Establishing shots are often used at the start of the trailer to show the setting, followed by a
long shot to reveal the characters connection. Such as a teenage in a school setting.
Extreme close ups are used during more chaotic scenes, such as during the influence of
alcohol or drugs. Two shots are used typically to show the relationship between the
characters. This could be of a bully and the victim, or a parent and child or teacher and
student.

8. Insight into The History of The Teen Genre
0 The teen genre came to of age in the 1950’s, initially in America. This came shortly after the
birth of the concept of the teenager in 1940, after the baby boom post World War Two.
The change in social attitude and the booming economy post-war, led to the emergence of
the teenagers. American films began producing films focussing around the concept of
teenagers, such as the 1953 The Wild One. The film followed a group of bikers, who
terrorised small towns for fun. In 1955 Blackboard Jungle was released, following an ex
veteran become a teacher at an all boys, delinquent school. This followed the conventions
of the setting being a high school, featuring corridors and a specific classroom, as well as
the use of violence and deviant behaviour.
0 1970 has a flourish of successful teen films, at the hand of their subgenres. These were
subject to teen horrors (Carrie 1976), romance (Love story 1970), and John Travolta's
musicals (Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978).
0 Films such as Scream (1996), Clueless (1996), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and 10 Things I
Hate About You (1999) began the most well known and approved teen films in the 90’s
still famously loved to this day.
0 Teen films, (and other media products) remain just as popular with the growth of
technology, diverse storylines, numerous subgenres and almost limited opportunities.
Some of the most well praised and successful teen products are: John Green’s: The Fault
in Our Stars (2012) - book, High School Musical Series (2006) - book and films and
Mean Girls (2004) – film.

9. Teen Subgenres
0 After the success of teen films in the mid 1900’s, teen subgenres began to develop during the 70’s
amongst numerous media products. Contemporary and pre existing teen subgenres include:
0 Teen Musicals - Songs sung by the character are interwoven into the narrative, the characters are
therefore often teens. E.g. High School Musical (2006), Camp Rock (2008), Teen Beach Movie
(2012).
0 Teen Thriller – Films with exciting plots, continuously inflicting suspense on viewers, using teenage
characters. E.g. Prom Night (2008), Woman in Back(2012), Unfriended (2012).
0 Teen Comedy – Films main emphasise is on humour, a funny side to teenage life. E.g. The Edge of
Seventeen (2016), American Pie (2012), The Duff (2015).
0 Teen Drama – Intended to be more serious than comical, looks at the real pressures teenagers face.
E.g. My Mad Fat Diary – TV series (2013-2016), If I Stay (2014), Cyberbully (2011).
0 Teen Romance – Focus on relationships and love, usually that of first time loves. E.g. The Fault in
Our Stars - book and film (2012), A Walk To Remember (2002), Everything Everything-
book and film (2017).
0 Teen Sci-Fi – Looks at imaginary concepts with the use of technology. E.g. The Maze Runner
(2014).
0 Teen coming of age films - Focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. E.g.
Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), Clueless (1995), 13 Going on 30 (2004).

10. Teen Drama
0 After looking at the teen subgenres, I have selected potential subgenres for my project, that I
believe are the three most appropriate and achievable. I have picked a single film for each,
as this will contribute to the creation of my film trailer, which I will analyse, provide a
synopsis, and a conclusion on how the codes and conventions of a teen film were
followed, and altered due to the subgenre.
0 Cyberbully is a 2011 teen drama, who tells the story about a teenager getting bullied online,
via her social media account, ‘ Cliquesters’. The young girl joins the site after receiving her
own laptop for her birthday, however it brings doesn’t but misery to her life. The film
touches on mental illness, as it shows scenes of attempted suicide, and the deep
depression the young girl is facing. This all links to the internet and the cause of
cyberbullying. This automatically reflects the teen genre due to the props of the laptop and
social media websites. Additionally, it reflects reoccurring themes of mental health, social
media, bullying and online personalities. The film offers a dramatization of social media,
however shows real life situations, as cyberbullying has become a massive problem,
especially amongst the younger generation. The protagonist Emily Osment, previously
featured in the TV Series and Movie: Hannah Montana. This aired on Disney channel
targeted at females aged 12-16. This shows how her character will attract her previously
age appropriate fans, due to he initial solid fan base. She also represents a young adult
herself, therefore links to the idea of a young cast. The mains settings featured in this film
are of her bedroom, and her school, conventional settings to the teen genre. Additional
settings such as her therapy room offers opposing characteristics as a result of the drama
element. She wears childlike, relaxed clothing relating to her youth. The avoidance of
smart wear represents her immaturity. Establishing shots and long shots are used to show
the location and the protagonists relationship with it, such as her attendance within a high
school.

11. Teen Coming of Age
0 Coming of age film, 13 Going On 30, was released in 2004. The film follows a young
teenage girl (13), who dreams of escaping her positon as ‘outsider’ to be a popular, ‘it’
girl. During her 13th birthday she becomes humiliated by her ‘friends’ and locks herself
in a cupboard wishing she was older (30). She later emerges 5 days shy of her 30th
birthday, however unaware of how she got there. The first half of the film glamorises
the adult life, as the protagonist is granted with nice clothes, a grown up body, an
apartment, a top job and a handsome boyfriend. However the remainder of the film
shows the realism to adult life, such as loosing old school friends, unable in your job,
lack of true friends, being separated from your parents and having to suddenly defend
for yourself. The first few scenes are featured in a school and the protagonists house,
conventional to the teen genre. However, as she progresses to adulthood the settings
change to a workplace, apartment and sophisticated nightclubs. This shows the
difference in settings a subgenre makes. The film continues to flashback and look at he
previous younger self, ensuring they include a reasonable amount of youthful
characters to attract audiences of the similar age. In addition to this the adult
protagonist resembles child like characteristics as a result of her ‘coming to age’. It
shows portrays a typical Hollywood film, nonetheless highlights realistic points of the
transition from youth to adult. Props include alcohol, which linking to it’s context, is
conventionally shown in the teen genre. The film continues to alternate from adult to
teen conventions, to create the coming of age element, ensuring it qualifies as this
particular subgenre. For example, she wears childlike hairstyles during the beginning,
but then smart work suits during the middle of the film during work. We see her
physically and mentally struggle, and succeed as she changes from a child to an adult.
Slang and jargon is commonly used, especially during the initial scenes to reflect
teenage language and dialogue.

12. Teen Thriller
0 Prom Night is a 2008, teen thriller which focuses the majority of the whole film on a
teenage prom night. A high school girl is left traumatized after witnessing her former
teacher brutally murder her entire family, after becoming dangerously obsessed with
her. Three years later, the high school girl is getting ready for her prom. However, the
murdering teacher escapes from custody and follows her to the hotel hosting the prom,
in hope of a reunion with the young girl. He is fearless and is willing to kill and brutally
injury anyone who becomes a problem in his path to reunion. The setting of a school
and a high school prom automatically targets younger audiences due to the teenage
conventional setting. Prom is more of a bigger event in America, than it is in Britain,
suggesting how Prom is something American teenagers wait for their entire teenage
years, therefore a film dedicated to this will attract them. The characters of student and
teacher are also conventional characters found in teen films, as a result of audiences
being students and teachers being heavily involve din their life. Props and costumes of
long dresses and suits reflect the traditional prom night, as well as the glamorising
limos and venues which highlights the American culture. Editing is fast paced, and quick
cuts during the scenes of the party itself, before things turn sinister, suggesting the
influence of alcohol on these teenagers, a theme traditional in the teen genre. In
addition to this, the theme of growing up is highlighted as we watch the teenagers
prepare to leave high school, attending their last reunion as a school, as their prom. The
thriller elements alter the lighting, appearance of characters and costumes, to create the
eerie and suspense feel. However, they remain in the prom venue for the majority of the
night, ensuring that traditional codes and conventions remain, but allowing for that of
the thriller genre to also be portrayed. The characters resemble youthful individuals,
linking to the relation and identification young audiences can have with the young
actors and actresses. As well as this, some of the characters are also known for starring
in other teen genre films, widening their already solid fan base.
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