The Maturity of Adolescence
Growing up, all we want to see on the screen is a character that acted like us, talked like us, screwed up like us, and lived like us. I'm at the point in my life where I can't see myself in kids' movies anymore, but the adult world feels too large and scary to conquer. At 16, going on 17, I feel there's no better genre for me to research than the teen comedy, a mirage of adolescent mistakes coated in hilarity and issues that only a younger audience could relate to. So let's take a deep dive into the vibrant, colorless world of teen comedy.
Between the ages of 13 and 19, humans grow the most in their lives. Exiting out of those awkward tween years where you know you're not a kid anymore, but you can't help but long for the days when you'd play with dolls and go to recess with friends. In these years, you get a unique opportunity to explore who you are without major repercussions. You can explore new identities, make mistakes, and meet new people. In the mid-'80s, the genre experienced a flurry of new ideas that were able to perfectly capture the teenage experience. Through the strong themes of aimlessness, rebellion, resentment, and angst, these films just "got" teenagers. But what specifically made these films so classically relatable and timeless? For that, we have to take a look at the:
Content
A simple plot structure is almost always found in the teen comedy genre. Due to the nature of the audience's age (that being teenagers), the structure is slimmed down to its basics as to not confuse the audience.
A teen comedy movie usually starts by introducing a character(s) as one of the following stereotypes: The Loner, The Popular kid, The quirky kid, The nerd, or The hopeless romantic. Directors can play around with these tropes, but they serve as guidelines that most films follow in the genre. These archetypes of characters provide the groundwork for common themes and arcs found in teen movies. Some common arcs are the quest of popularity, searching for love, making new friends, or seeking new experiences.
Ex: "Superbad" (2007) introduces its main characters as social outcasts and losers in its opening scene. This develops their characters so we can follow them as they navigate high school popularity together.
The emotional feelings of characters are also explored in teen comedies. While the films carry a lighthearted tone, writers often try to include a message of loyalty, hope, and a lingering question of what life will bring. This can be exhibited through dialogue and storytelling by deep conversations, self-reflections, or consequences to a character's actions, but it's most commonly explored through:
The Production
Teen Comedies are commonly lit naturally so the audience can resonate with it more. They are also lit with bright, warm colors to reflect the whimsical wonder and joy that comes with experiencing new things. By using these warmer tones, it creates a sense of nostalgia that draws audiences to the production across generations.
"The Kissing Booth" (2018) uses warm orange light to symbolize a calmer, exciting chapter in the character's life.
Darker scenes in these films where characters face consequences are typically lit with more blue and harsh light to reflect the dire situation the subject is facing.
Sound is vital to creating the atmosphere of a teen comedy. Popular songs are usually found in these movies to reflect the music taste of the audience. By incorporating pop music into its production, teen comedies inject a sense of "now" into the film that helps it relate to the audience.
Do Revenge (2022) features many popular hits of the early 2020s to engage its audience
Marketing
Up until the early 2010s, teen movies were marketed with basic posters featuring a cast of characters. This presents the movie as something the viewer could relate to, and watch with their friends. However, with the rise of social media, a new trend emerged.
Teen movies now have a heavy presence on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. They thrive off creating niche fanbases that watch the movie and spread the word around on their socials. This provides free PR for a production company and makes the film feel more grounded as it was recommended by peers instead of a big studio.
Samples
Superbad (2007) is a coming-of-age story about 2 friends navigating their last weeks of high school. The two main characters, Evan and Seth, are inseparable, but faced with the impending doom graduation, they lash out and attempt to fill their lives with superficial things like parties and flings. By the end, they realize that their friendship is what means most to them, and find solace in knowing they'll have each other to rely on for life. The pair are the quintessential "losers" of high school. They don't have many friends, they don't go to parties, and they haven't had girlfriends by 18. The character's arcs subvert the genre by building up a story where the audience thinks our characters will accomplish these goals, but instead, we find them choosing their friendship over what they had thought was all they wanted. The film is lit with warm colors, but when the characters face a more serious situation, they're lit in a harsher blue tone. The film includes popular songs that match well with the time, and fit into the party atmosphere of some of the story. The film was marketed to the age group of teens and young adults who saw the trailer as something they could relate to. The awkward position of the characters on the poster and the minimalist design help develop this idea.
Ferris Bueler's Day Off (1986) follows Ferris Bueler, a senior in high school, who skips a day of school with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron. The film is wrapped in themes of rebellion and teenage angst, and lit in warm tones to reflect the nostalgia of playing hooky and having a day out on the town. Ferris is portrayed as "The popular kid", and his outgoing personality is paired opposite of Cameron's "Shy Guy" archetype. The character's arcs fit neatly into the genre, as Ferris learns the importance of the people he surrounds himself with, and Cameron learns the importance of living on the wild side once in a while. The film includes popular 80's hits, and a fun parade scene with loud, upbeat music that showcases Ferris' outgoing personality. The film, billed as a classic summer teen flick about a popular high school boy, fills the role well, and it's simplistic poster featuring Ferris in a "cool guy" pose helps add to the theme.
Teen Comedies I recommend:
Mean Girls (2004)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
American Pie (1999)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Sources:
https://screenrant.com/most-used-teen-comedy-tropes/
https://collider.com/superbad-high-school-comedies/