Blog 8 - Teen Drama Genre

Post 11 - What are sub-genres of Teen Drama Films?

A Teen Drama is a type of drama which focus mainly of teenaged characters hint the "Teen".
Teen Drama was not always around or popular in that sense, It came about in the early 90s. However, today teen dramas are seen to be very popular with a large teen audience shows such as Teen Wolf and Pretty Little Lairs have become very successful over the years.

What has also been introduced recently to audiences are sub-genres within teen dramas, this has proven to be a massive success, the mix of genres seem to attract large audiences.

Teen Wolf is one example of an successful teen drama that has a sub-genre, Teen Wolf consist of many genres such as horror, fantasy and thriller. The mixture of genres has been huge success as it has a 7.8/10 rating on IMB which suggest that the audiences watching the show are enjoying the storyline created by the mixture of genres within a teen drama. 

 A summary about the order and type of title sequences in High School drama films:

1. Have the production companies first and screen play last 
2. The movie title and who it shows are one of the few titles shown 
3. The use of animation or motion 
4. Simple Text 

 A summary about the order and type of title sequence in Youth drama films:

1. Production companies are shown first movie where as titles are shown last 
2. Use of animation or motion 
3. Complex text used especially for showing the movie titles 

A summary on the main differences in the title sequence of films from each sub-genre 

Firstly, Both High School and Youth Drama films use animation or motion which is their main similarity. However, 3 out of 4 High School movies have the actual movie playing in the background of the title sequence, engaging audience from the start of the movie. Whereas, youth dramas use more of bright colourful texts and backgrounds to engaging their audiences. 

Blog 12 - High School Vs Youths Drama order of the titles

Titles and orders:

Universal Pictures
Production company
John Hughes film 
Title
Starring actors 
Casting by
Costume designer
Production supervisor
Executive producers
Music composer and supervisor
Editor
Production designer
Director of photography
Co-producer
Producer

Writer and Director
22 credits

What font is used?

The font used is capitalised and yellow colour centre to the screen.

What type of title sequence is used?

The title is presented on a black screen 

Action behind the title:

None 

Title and order:
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Production Comapny
Title
Starring Actors
Casting By
Costume Designer
Music By & Song By
Music Supervisors
Co - Producers
Film Editor
Production Designer
Director Of Photographer
Executive Producers
Produced By
Written By
Director

What font is used?
The font used is again like Breakfast Club capitalised and again the colour used in Juno is yellow like Breakfast Club. However, the title of the movie is presented in green and yellow.

What type of title sequence is used?

The title sequence used is animated or motion.

Action behind the font:

The action behind the font is an moving animated city and it appears to show a girl who then turns into an animation walking around a city, maybe giving hints to the audience on what the film could be about. 

To summarise the similarities of the order of the titles of Breakfast Club and Juno is that they both use a similar colour scheme in terms of what colour they use on their fonts. However, there are many different things about their order of titles, as Breakfast Club presents theirs title of still images which could be suggested to not be the most effective way of present the order of titles as it could be seen as the most easy and less time consuming way of doing it. Whereas, Juno presents their order of titles over an animated moving background which could be suggested to be more of an effective way of ordering the titles for a movie as it is more interesting for the audience to watch and one other thing it does really well is it sets the mood of the film to the audience so the audience knows what to expect, another good successful film which uses this is James Bond Skyfall.   

Blog 20 - Research into Kidulthood

Kidulthood is an drama showing a day of a trouble 15 - year old boy who lives in the Streets of West London. This movie explores many stereotypes to do with the youth of today, exploring crime, sex and drugs. The movie had an estimated budget of £600,000 and was released 5 march 2006, the opening weekend gross profit was £100,056, its Box office was £453,876. 

Target audience: 

Kidulthood appealed more to a younger audience the reasons for the this is because in various of scenes it shows many teens in uniforms, which could suggest why Kidulthood has a younger audience because young teens can relate to the storyline or maybe some could relate to the lifestyle presented in Kidulthood as the teens in the uniform shows to the audience what age group the movie consist of. 

(UK 15)

Genre and Sub-genre: 

Indie Film

Teen Drama 

Themes raised in the movie:

Gang Violence: 

Gang violence is really explored in Kidulthood, it presents and shows to the audience some of the issues in London today. Trife the man character is used to demonstrate this gang violence in one day. Trife gets into trouble with a well known gang member in the Streets of West London and forced to earn a name on the Streets, which leads to violence and conflict. 

Sex, Drugs and Alcohol:

The theme of sex, drugs and alcohol is also explore in Kidulthood, as it is shown in the scene of the two girls becky and Alisa as they have sex with an older male in order to fund for their drugs. This is exploring a deep issue in the generation of today.

Relationships:

Kidulthood also consist of a love relationship through Trife and Alisa as in the film they are each others exs, however, down the line Alisa is pregent and they decide to get back together in order to give their baby a stable life by sticking together. 

Marketing Strategy:

The marketing team for Kidulthood went by advertising the film in way which isn't really costly as a servey showed that 33% of the people that watched the movie heard it by the word of mouth, suggesting the marketing team done very well in terms of advertising the movie with out using a lot of money, using things such social media websites, like, facebook, twitter and many more. 

The movie also consist of soundtracks by grime artists such as Shystie, Lethal Bizzle, Dizzle Rascal these are all well known grime artist wshich again is another way the marketing team for Kidulthood went by advertsing the film. 

Kidulthood distribution company, Revoler Entertainment also produced many copies on DVD, this is will be good for the movie as it means more people have access to the movie, also giving more people more options on where to watch the movie.  

Character Profiles:

Trife:

This character is an 15 teen year old, who grows up in which could be consider as the "hood". The character follows in the stereotype of young youths today. Trife is made to earn his reputation on the roads of London by his actions.

Alisa:

This character plays as trife ex girlfriend who then becomes pre gent with his child. This again can be consider as a stereotype of young teens now days. The writer also explores the theme of relationships through Alisa and Trife as they come together in order to give their baby a stable family and life.

Jay:

Jay is also one of Trife best friends. However, not like Mooney Jay tends to get into his own conflict within this movie. This character plays a major role within this film as many conflict scenes are explored by Jay as his character seems to gets into a lot of trouble but needs his friends to help him with his trouble, some may suggest he is a selfish character as he tends to do what is best for him.

Mooney:

This character plays as one of trife best friends, silimar to to trife he is bought up in the same "hood" as trife, they experience and go through the same troubles. However, out of the friendship group Mooney is the most humble as this character plays in the middle of Trife and Jay as they get into a lot of conflict whereas, Mooney is the one who is trying to keep the friendship group tight.

Becky:

" local slut"  This character is one who is seen as very weak mentality, as she is easily led by boys. She is seen as weak mentality because she is used by boys sexual and then treated wrongly. This character has no other interests than sex,drugs and partying. Therefore, this could be presentation a stereotype within in todays society.

Sam:

Sam is considered as your typically villain in youth dramas. Sam character is seen to be a boss or feared on the streets of London, who tends to cause a lot of conflict within this film. The character sam is really exploring some major issues with the youths today in London, Kidulthood presents these issues to a large audience of people in the UK in order to raise awareness in some of the issues today, this character explores and presents these issues very well within the movie.

Blog 15 - High School Drama - Camera, Editing, Sound, M.E.S.

Camera

Wide Shot
The wide shot of the animated council flats could suggest to the audience that film/movie will be taking place within or around the council estate. Giving the audience an impression that the council estates have a major role to play within this film. (shot  0.9 secs)

Close  Up
0.22 secs in to the title sequence there is a close up on the faces of the animated characters, The characters facial expressions seemed to be aggressive. Which leads audience to believe that the film is about conflict between rival gang members or youths in general. 

Editing

Special Effects
There are many special effects used within this title sequence. One main example would be the animated gun which is used within this, gun represents violence and conflict, demonstrating to the audience that this movie will include some form or conflict and violence. Also within the barrel of the gun there is an man and girl running, this could suggest to the audience that BOTH women and men are effected by the problems within this council estate, it doesn't matter weather your boy or girl you will be effected by the conflict.

Sound
The grime beat suggest to the audience that the characters within this movie will be fairly young as the music links in to what youths are like today. It also suggest that they are living in a changing urban inner city, the fast tempo within the beat could suggest  the way the youth live as it could be suggested that some of the youths today live a very dangerous fast life. Also at the start of the title sequence we hear a speech which is talking about generations, this again could suggest to the audience that the youths of today live in a very different generation than before.

Mise En Scene

Lighting
The dark doll colours used within this title sequence suggest to the audience that there will be conflict on these council estate.  The darkness suggest their are many bad things happening on these estates but people cannot seem to escape from conflict as everywhere around the area it is filled with darkness.

Clothing
The animated characters are wearing hats and hoods this can be easily link to the stereotype of young gang members clothing. The animated characters have their hoods on this can suggest some conflict as some could feel threaten by youths in hoods.

Remaking The Breakfast Club opening

Practical: Remaking the Breakfast Club Opening

Story Board

Props

1)







2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

Blog 13 - Teen Drama

This is an fantastic example of 2 completly differernt types of living but the characters played in the movies are roughly the same age. Firstly American Pie is more of a funny side in america, the movie shows what roughly a freshmen year looks like in America. The audience only gets the side of sex, drugs and fun within univerity, the film doesnt explore Americas crime rate and etc. However,  Kidulthood explores the bad sides to the streets of London. It presents to the audeince what can be considered as the youths of our day and age. Kidulthood performs this by using the main character Trife to come up and gain his repuation on the streets on london, showing the audience how hard life can be in London. These are completly different as one is trying to show a funny/fun side to an Amercia university whereas, the other presents to the audience what life is like as a youth in London and how hard it can get.

Blogging Task 20 - Research On Teen Film Of My Choice

Grease

Directed By: Randal Kleiser

Produced By: Robert Stigwood, Allan Carr

Screenplay By: Bronte Woodard, Allan Carr

Based On: Grease By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway

Music By: Michael Gibson, Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey

Cinematography: Bill Butler

Edited By: John F. Burnett, Robert Pergament

Production Company: RSO Records

Distributed By: Paramount Pictures

Release Dates: 16th June 1978

Running Time: 110 Minutes

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $6 Million

Box Office: $394,955,690

John Travolta as Danny Zuko
Olivia-Newton John as Sandy Olsson
Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo
Jeff Conaway as Kenickie
Barry Pearl as Doody
Michael Tucci as Sonny LaTierri
Kelly Ward as Roger "Putzie"
Didi Conn as Frenchy
Jamie Donelly as Jan
Dinah Manoff as Marty Maraschino

Plot Summary- IMDB: Alex Schultz

A musical about teens in love in the 50's! Its california, 1959 and greaser Danny Zuko and Australian Sandy Olsson are in love. They spend time at the beach, but when they go back to school, what either one of them don't know is that they both now attend Rydell High. Danny's the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black-jacket greasers while sandy hangs with the pink ladies, a group of pink-wearing girls led by Rizzo. When they clash at Rydell's first pep rally, Danny isn't the same Danny at the beach. They try to be like each so they can be together.

When made in 1978, Grease's target audience were majority teenage girl as it was both a musical and a romantic comedy. However through the years many women have stayed connected to the film as is now targeted at women aged 20-30 years old as it reminisces of their youth.

Genre and Sub-Genre

• romantic comedy/ musical
• High school drama

Themes Raised in The Film

• Alcohol: Scenes of under age drinking. Light hearted and not out of control.
•  Peer Pressure: Sandy is encouraged to drink, smoke and lose her virginity by the other girls. She changes these things at the end of the film to make her seem attractive to Danny
•  Pregnancy: Rizzo fears she is pregnant .
•  Sex: Discussions about sex, pregnancy and contraception. Not explicit. No sex shown.
•  Smoking: A number of characters smoke which is not shown in a critical light in the film.

Blogging Task 15 - My Brother The Devil

        My Brother The Devil

Directed and Written By: Sally El Hosaini

Starring: James Floyd, Fady Elsayed, Saïd Taghmaoui

Music By: Stuart Earl

Cinematography: David Raedeker

Edited By: Iain Kitching

Release Dates: 22nd January 2012 (Sundance), 9th November 2012 (United Kingdom), 22nd March 2013 (United States)

Running Time: 111 Minutes

Language: English

Box Office: $1,200,100

Order Of The Titles Sequence:

1. Verve Pictures 
2. Wild Horse Film Company
3. Rock Nest Entertainment
4. Film Clinic
5. Actor
6. Actor
7. Actor
8. Actor
9. Actor
10. Actor
11. Actor
12. Actor
13. Actor
14. Actor
15. Producer
16. Producer
17. Producer
18. Producer
19. Writer
20. Director
21. Title

Camera
In the 3 minute sequence many camera shots were used. Hand held and tracking shots were used throughout, this was pivotal as made the sequence less informal and more urban. It increase the films reality and the audience engagement as it filmed as though they are apart of the film (Boys in the group). Wide/long shots as well as tracking shots aided the use of mise en scene, this is because it allowed the audience to focus on the location and props within the scene. The use of high and low angle so early on in the film was important as it shows the audience the different statuses between the characters. For example between the the brothers, there is always a high angle on the older brother and a low angle on the younger brother. This shows immediately that the younger brother has huge respect for his older brother and that he has more authority over him. Also a high angle was used when the younger brother was looking up at a plane, showing that though there a whole world out there he is trapped in this old estate, doomed to repeat his brothers mistakes. A POV shot was also used between the brothers, again this increases the audiences engagement towards the films as it makes them feel more connected.

Editing
Still images was used show poverty and violence within their community, this highlights the struggles the brothers face and shows how it is evident that their future will remain the same as everyone else on the estate. The use of black and white in the still images also bring darkness to the films as it encourages more empathy from the audience.Many cross cuts and match cuts were used to introduce different aspects of the brothers life, e.g. while the younger brother is in school his older brother is boxing, showing the masculinity and strength the older brother has and how a lot of pressure is put on the younger brother to do well in school, ending this cycle of him following in his brother footsteps. Though the film is suspected to be dramatic, in the 3 minute title sequence is very calm and relaxing, through the use on continuous editing. This may be done to increase the intensity of the drama from being non-existent to very high. The calm and tranquil start is also aided by slow-downed scenes between the brothers. As they as play fighting with each other, the use of it being slower, brings to light that in that very moment there is no drama between them and that everything is a peace.

Mise en scene

Mise en scene is vital for this films as it establishes that it is in fact an urban youth drama. The use of props such as bikes and tracksuits are stereotypes of what teenage boys whole live in council estate wear.

Sound
Throughout the sequence tranquil and peace music is played, this binary opposite of the urban film to the classical music is very important.

Research Teen Film of choice

Research Teen Film of choice

Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging

Target Audience:

Genre: 

Comedy/Drama

Sub-genre:

Adolescent Characters:

Schools/Home/Streets: They're seen in multiple locations around their Secondary School. They're seen in Georgia's home regularly and in Peter (the kissing guru's) bedroom. They're also seen on the streets and beach of Eastbourne, visiting the organic shop owned by lover boys Robbie and Tom. 

Peer groups/Friends: "The Ace Gang" aka Georgia, Jas, Ellen and Rosie. 

Teachers/Parents: Georgia's parents play an important role in the film as their own marital issues, being that Georgia's father has been offered a promotion in New Zealand, affects the way Georgia then approaches day to day life, insinuating they will divorce etc. 

Popular Music: "The Stiff Dylans" who is the band that heart throb Robbie is apart of. (Not only is he gorgeous but he plays guitar, writes songs and sings!)

Romantic Interest: Jas and Tom, Georgia and Robbie.

Stereotypical Characters:

Georgia (played by actress Georgia Groome) is the stereotypical British teen, who isn't considered the prettiest or the most popular but she admires to be with the best looking boy at school (Robbie, played by actor Aaron Johnson) and shocker, she gets him. She goes from lame to fame throughout the 100 minutes of film. 

Themes raised throughout the film:

The deep rooted issue throughout the film is all about teenagers learning to accept themselves for what they really are. As much as you experience so many new things as a teen; your first kiss, wearing a thong, fancying boys you once hated and so much more, you shouldn't change what really matters, like yourself. 

If only it was that easy.. 

Blogging Task 10 - Audience For Teen Films

Demographics -
Male
Aged 18-24
Social Grade: C2DE

Top Regions -
Yorkshire
London
Midlands

Politics -
Right

Typical Profession -
Finance
Sports Industry
Military and Defence

Lifestyle -  

Hobbies & Actives -

Drinking 

Exercising 

Driving 

Favourite Sports -

Darts 

Boxing 

General Interests -

Video Games 

People and Celebrities 

Sex and Relationships 

Niche Interests -

Darts 

Comedy 

Boxing 

Watching Sports 

Football

Mostly Pet -

Dog 

       

Personality  -

Describes themselves as...

Funny 

Honest

Well-Balanced  

But on occasion...

Headstrong 

Easily Distracted 

Control - Freaky 

  

   

Entertainment 

High School Drama - Camera, Editing, Sound, M.E.S.

High School Drama: Pretty Little Liars

Camera

Extreme close up: the camera has an extreme close up of the hands being painted, the eyes, hair being done etc. which suggests that they want the audience to take note of the fact that someone is dead and that they want to introduce the general plot line and give an idea of what the show is about through the title sequence.

Wide shot: the wide shot of the girls at 0:13 shows us the 4 main characters that will be in the show and that they story will most likely be based on

Close up: the close up at 0:16 shows Aria putting her finger to her mouth, creating the 'shh' sound which suggests to the audience that there is a secret which must be kept and that the show is based around a secret

Tilt: the tilt from the coffin to the girls suggests that the two are linked together

Editing

Jump cuts: the jump cuts from the eye, to the lips, to feet etc suggest that it's all one person and links them together. There is also a jump cut when the camera jumps from all of the girls to just one of them.

Sound

Foley sound: the sound of the coffin closing is enhanced, to suggest that it shouldn't/wont be opened any more. The 'shh' is enhanced to suggest that there is a secret which needs to be kept.

Synchronous sound: the synchronous music relates to what is happening in the title sequence. The lyrics suggest the plot line. "Cos two can keep a secret if one of them is dead" and then we see it jump to the girl making the 'shh' sound suggests that there is a big secret which will be unravelled in the show.

Mise en Scene

Lighting: the lighting is very dim and gives off a very haunting look. Although the sky is blue, it's a dark blue and there's twigs all around behind the girls and the general theme of the title sequence is dark and haunting.

Clothing: the clothing of the girls is black, and suggests that they are at a funeral. Also, the clothes of the person in the coffin are black.

Props: the coffin - suggests that someone is already dead and not yet buried but will be getting buried in the show. blonde hair - suggests that the person who is dead is someone blonde, and that the storyline will be based around that person. jewellery, shoes and make up - the person is a woman.

Setting: possibly a graveyard, although it's hard to tell because the general setting is around the coffin and the girls

Body language: the body language of the 4 girls is very stern. They look very uncomfortable, although if you look closely you can tell that they are each showing a different response and are looking at the coffin in a different way.