13. Sub-Genre Conventions - Plots and Storylines

YOUTH DRAMA


Name of film: Sweet 16

1. The key plot is that the youth are troubled and are in need of money hence why they're trying to sell things and charge people.

2. First of all we see the 2 main characters (teenage boys) charging the children 25p each to see Saturn and the stars through a telescope. They all seemed mesmerised by what they could see.

 - We then see the 2 boys trying to sell cigarette to individuals in a local pub. The owner (an authoritative figure) finds out and tells them to go which creates conflict between them. This is conventional of the sub-genre.

- They then go and cause more trouble with a police officer instead. We are introduced to a new character (another teenage boy) and one of the 3 of them goes and tells a lorry driver to reverse onto a police officer's bike and he then takes the officers helmet. This is also conventional of the sub-genre as there is more conflict between the teenagers and adults/authoritative figures.

3. The characters introduced were:

3 teenage boys (Scottish)
Police officer
Children
Pub owner and the barmaid
Van Driver

4. The social groups represented are:

Middle aged and Youth (Binary Opposition)
Men
White
Scottish
Middle class and working class (Binary Opposition)



Name of film: Beautiful Thing

1. The key plot is that the teenager is being bullied for not being good at sports and even his mate joins in.

2. First of all we see Hue (main character) 'accidentally' forget his P.E kit due to the fact he is not good at football, and then Mr. Bennett shouts at him.

- He is then bullied by those who are good at football, they throw his bag out of the school gates so Hue climbs out the gates to get it and runs off.

-He doesn't go back to school and his mother catches him and chases him back to their flat. This is conventional of the sub-genre as it shows being a youth is a problematic experience in life.

3. The characters introduced were:

Mr.Bennett (P.E Teacher)
Hue Janous
McBride (bully)
The rest of the football team
Hue's mother

4. The social groups represented are:

Men and a woman (Binary Opposition)
White
English
Middle aged and Youth (Binary Opposition)


HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA

 Name of film: Mean Girls

1. The key plot is that Katie is new to the school and is trying to adapt herself in order to fit in as she is different from everybody else. It shows her transition from African to American lifestyle.

2. First of all we see Katie's parents talking to her about how she is ready  for school life and they start taking pictures with her as it is her first day going to a public school. She was previously homeschooled.

-We then  see Katie nearly get hit by a school bus as  she's walking to school. Once she's there she tries to fit but ends up eating her lunch alone in the toilet as she has no friends yet.

3. The characters introduced were:

Mum
Dad
Katie
Maths class
Head teacher (authoritative figure)
Teenagers

4. The social groups represented are:

Men  and women (Binary Oppositions)
Pupils (teenagers)
White
American
Goths
bullies
Nerds