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: