Teenagers: The Untold Truth

A very frequent group that are used within lots of mediums that are often misinterpreted are: highs school students. Teenagers within the age of 16-18. I know how misinterpreted they are because as you guys know by now, I am one. I definitely want to represent my peers, my age group, and my friends in a way only someone who comes from that age group can. It will be a high school teenager using elements to represent a, get this, high school teenagers. Proof of how high school is poorly represented is how I used to look forward to high school and finally be a teenager. Once I stepped in my first school on the first day of freshmen year, I realized this was nothing like how the movies showed me.

A popular, misrepresentation of high school teenagers is in 13 Reasons Why. A netflix original series with two seasons. Although it’s intentions were to bring awareness into bullying, mental illnesses, and some of the most dark subjects that most mediums refrain from, such as suicide, death, and rape. They portray teenagers with much more advanced mentality to the truth. Most kids would have a hard time processing a death of their classmate alone, however they seemed much more mature and “okay” with the fact that Hannah partly blamed a group of people for her death. The absence of adult supervision is accurate to a certain extent. There are cases where adults and/or parents don’t have a clue on what’s going on in their lives. Also, the students seemed to be way too “okay” with being blamed for a death. All except one, Clay. This demonstrates the shallowness of teenagers.
Another popular misrepresentation of this specific age group is within the film, American Pie. Although American Pie is a comedy and usually exaggerates certain elements for pure entertainment; it still does not do justice to my age group. American Pie makes the audience believe that all teenagers think about, and their whole lives revolve around sex. I’m not coming out and saying that all students are saints and never participate in the “sinful” action. It is normal, as in our teenage years is when we first experience new, uncomfortable hormones. However, there are a majority of teenage boys whose top priority is not losing their virginity. Also, most high school students have lost their virginity by their third year of high school, but there are such cases similar to those that are shown in the movie.

Within my project, I would, without a doubt, exclude the shallowness that is shown in multiple mediums of teenagers. I would give them (us) more depth and more truth to what is behind the minds of this specific age group. A characteristic I would keep however, is the obsession of sex. I would not make it to the point where it’s overly aggressive, and the only thing guys can think and focus on. It would be one of the many factors that revolve around the heads of teenagers. But, the thing I would slightly modify from that characteristic is to involve girls as well. Girls are not usually found in certain mediums to even be interested in this activity.

Comedy

Light hearted dramas to provoke enjoyment. Purpose is to entertain and provoke enjoyment.  Comedies often exaggerate the situation, language, action, and characters.

Comedies are usually taken place in light, bright places that are usually for social gatherings.

Many two people, mid shots, long shots, and close ups to demonstrate conversation and reactions. Not much high angles or low angles that are usually used to establish dominance.

Also, multiple establishing shots to show a change in location, new themes, and/or characters.

Diegetic sound. Dialogue needs to be clear to get a response from the audience. Non diegetic sounds can also be used to emphasize certain events.

Natural and bright light to give it a realistic environment. Most but not all the time in daylight, atmospheric lighting ( i.e low key lighting)

Props can be used to add to certain elements of humor. Props very popular in slapstick comedy, mostly because they are used to hurt someone.

Many comedies have similar plot line and end in a teaser for a sequel. Almost always more than one protagonist, as they all go through the story together. Comedies usually contain a wide range of characters such as:

Idiotic Character: very stupid, dopey, accident prone

Smart/Social character: talks most of time

Regular People: makes sarcastic comments

Common Themes:

• Good vs Bad
• Idiocy
• Drugs
• Drinking
• Violence
• Friendship
• Conflict

Types of Comedy:

Slapstick: a lot of physical movements and gestures. Influenced by clowning.

Dark Humor: Disturbing subjects like death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war

Wit/ Word Play: more intellectual. Based on clever, subtle manipulation of language.  

21 Jump street

Has many of conventional comedy characteristics. For starters, it’s mainly taken place at a high school ( a crowded, social gathering place ). Includes many two person mid shots, especially with the two main characters. No fancy lighting techniques are used. All the lights seems natural based on the setting and environment of that scene. Many props are used such as guns, drugs, and knives.The idiotic character in this case would be Jenko, while the smart, know-it-all would be Schmidt. They also have a person in charge, a person whose orders they follow. The two main protagonist are Jenko and Schmidt as they both go undercover for a case.  The ending of the film is the captain telling the protagonist that they’re going to college. This leaves the audience with a teaser of a second movie.

Mean Girls

A very light-hearted drama, very entertaining. Taken place at a high school, or any social gatherings in relation to that age group of high schoolers such as the mall, parties, and competitions. Only natural lightings, nothing too fancy to establish mood or certain themes. If they were in the cafeteria or mall, it would be presented with natural light, if it were a party it would be much dimmer. Every scene had appropriate, natural lighting based on the setting of the current scene. Not as much props were used, mostly clothing. Used lots of pink to symbolize the majority of the character’s femininity. The idiotic character was Karen and Gretchen Wieners, the know-it-all was Janis and Damian. The main protagonist was Cady Herron and main antagonist was Regina George. The film also has many “regular people” characters that add onto the humor and entertainment. Although the ending did not leave room for a sequel, a Mean Girls 2 was released. However, was not as popular and did not live up to the first one.

Other Comedies:

                                                                                                                                                                             

HORROR

HORROR

Genre Conventions: Content

There are many typical genre conventions in relation to the content of the horror film. They are designed to frighten and panic the audience, evoke the audience’s hidden fears, and entertain the audience in a liberating experience. A horror movie can create all different forms of fear: nightmares, vulnerability, revulsions, and fear of the unknown.

The setting of the narrative is any isolated place/a place where it can initiate loneliness, or any place with a “bad” history. Examples are abandoned houses, cabins, churches, hotels, and so on.

The ending of the story either wraps it up and gives the audience closure, or it leaves a piece open to allow a sequel to occur. Sometimes when leaving a portion of the story to let the audience wonder, has a great effect on them. Similar to many other genres, horror films always contain a hero/protagonist. The hero usually has to solve problems to save either themselves or those around him.

There’s a wide variety of different characters in horror films. As stated before, there’s always a hero/protagonist. The villain who could be a monster, serial killer, or even any form of corruption that provokes fear. This villain usually has a special trademark to them. (Michael Myers’ knife, Jason’s chainsaw and mask) Usually, not always, there are teenagers who are immoral and end up getting killed. There are any form of officials, those who have an established trust to help in the real world, such as police or priests. Writers may also use creepy children to disturb the audience as they’re accustomed to children’s innocence.

Different horror films have different messages that they’re trying to deliver. Some popular themes include: good vs evil, religion, childhood issues, supernatural, beyond death, insanity, envy, lust, or more.

Genre Conventions: production techniques

The production of horror films is what makes this genre so unique, and what truly captivates the audience. To institute fear, the camera composition is shot using natural lighting. Close ups, low and high angles, and point of view shots are all used throughout the production to create that “real life” feeling for the audience. This keeps them engaged with the story.

The sound and music create that intensified feeling and give the film that extra push towards the audience’s fear. A wide range of foley sounds and thrilling music is used to make the production come to life.

The use of prosthetic make-up is very popular amongst horror films. Special effects are used to make the supernatural or the “unknown” super realistic and even more frightening. This gives the impression of the villain or monster that are real in the natural world.

Institutional Conventions: How genre is marketed

In my opinion the best way any film is marketed is through it’s trailer. However, more specifically with horror films it is the best way to get the public to go and watch the film. It is important to make the trailer impactful but not reveal too much. Usually the main villain is introduced and the protagonist. Include some mystery in the trailer that will leave the audience wondering and go watch that movie.

Another way horror films have been marketed recently is through snapchat filters. The filters are included in every user’s and includes the opening days of that film. This is a very smart tactic to market their brand since there are over 186 million snapchat viewers worldwide.

The Nun

The Nun is a film that falls under the genre of horror. The setting takes place in Romania in a church. A church where the townspeople know to stay away from and where a Nun was found dead by suicide. This embodies the characteristic of a church on the outskirts of Romania with a bad history.

The film ends with a familiar pair, the couple who has been in many horror films such as The Conjuring, all Insidious films, and Anabelle. It is a video of Frenchie, one of the character’s who helps the main protagonist, going through a demonic possession. This leaves the audience wondering and clears the road for a sequel.

The main protagonist is a nun in her novitiate, Irene. She helps defeat the greater force in the movie to save the church and those people around her.

This films deals with religion and has a theme of good vs evil.

The Nun was marketed through snapchat and had a very impactful trailer as well. There was even an actor dressed up as the frightful Nun at the theatres the day the movie came out.

The Conjuring

The Conjuring takes place in an abandoned farmhouse with a bad history. Of course, the family that moved in had no knowledge of the “bad history” before.

The Conjuring ended with a juicy piece left unanswered which lead to the creation of The Conjuring 2.

The heroes and protagonist are the family and couple that are trying to keep their daughter alive. The couple assists them in getting rid of the spirits in the house. This is the same couple that is found in many movies as well.

The Conjuring trailer is one of the best horror trailers I have ever seen. When I’m really bored I go back and rewatch it to take note of the elements they use in this trailer. It has some of the best scares in the film but not all of them which leads the audience to still be surprised. This trailer is what truly was the basis to the popularity of the film.

Other horror films

                              

                                    

Intro

           My name is Mery and I am 18 years old. I am a scorpio and although I don't follow astrology religiously, for some reason I find myself always introducing myself as a scorpio. October is my favorite month and of course Halloween is my favorite holiday. I just love the idea of a whole month where spooky things are everywhere. My birthday is in October and every year I go to Halloween Horror Nights. Everything about October is just wonderful to me. The pumpkin patches start, the halloween decorations, my birthday,  HHN, the halloween parties. People who have known me for a while always say my energy changes once October 1 hits.
        Depending on my mood, my favorite color is either a soft yellow or a dark purple. Usually, but not always, I'm found wearing some form of yellow around summer months where I am the tannest. By mid-September I wear yellow occasionally. The dark and fall colors come around late September.