1. Varsity Productions
Bryony Hardie Ellie Peredruk Emma Gregory Arran Cunningham
Chosen brief –
A short film lasting approximately five minutes based upon the genre of teen drama.
We choose teen drama as we felt we could make the storyline appear more realistic
due to personal experiences. We also have access to teenage actors and the
settings that are often used within teen dramas.
2. Product Research.
Conventions of a genre.
• A teen drama is a type of dramatic television series. in which the focus is on
teenage characters.
• Previously, most series with a focus on teens had been sitcoms while teens in
drama series were usually part of a larger ensemble that included adults and
children.
• Teen dramas, more often than not, have soap opera elements where teenagers
have to grow and develop over time while facing an array of "realistic" teen issues.
3. Conventions of this genre.
• Stereotypes
• Drugs/ Alcohol
• Adolescence
• Rebelling
• Love/ Sex
• College
• Nightlife - clubbing
4. Film Research - Inspirations .
Thirteen
• The film heavily influenced the groups decision to follow teenage drama.
• Experimental experience with drugs and sex.
• Were going to avoid using scenes involving obvious drug use and scenes of a
sexual content.
• The introductory sequence
Sorority Row
• This is a teen horror
• The film had stereotypical groups or
• Like Thirteen heavy drinking of alcohol
is used
• The costumes
5. Audience Research.
Target Audiences;
• Ages roughly 15- 18.
• Both genders
• Exaggerated - appealing to teenagers.
• Similar topics - seems much more personal to the audience.
Other media products;
• Most likely to buy music magazines.
• Internet access is frequent.
• Watch TV and see films on a Wednesday.
6. Our Findings!
• The comical series, Inbetweeners is
the most popular teen drama.
• Skins is also popular - it is based
around drugs, sex and alcohol.
• Story based on love, with drugs,
alcohol corrupting the love story.
• Clubs were chosen as the setting
they prefer for a film.
The genre was relatively non-existent for the first 45 years of television; it first appeared in the early 1990s. Previously, most series with a focus on teens had been sitcoms while teens in drama series were usually part of a larger ensemble that included adults and children.
However, there have been many successful teen-based dramas with major themes of science fiction, fantasy, and action/adventure. Also, most shows have a substantial amount of comic drama
Settings – clubs
Topics – drugs and alcohol
Such things as the rebellious behaviour of the teenage characters.
Inspired us due the simple yet effective shots that were used as mainly hand held shots were used.
We wont be making a horror film, however some of the convections used are helpful for our film.
‘Cliques’ which we will take certain aspects from.
That they wear are also significant, it portrays the characters stereotypes in an obvious way.
We are focusing our production on teenagers ages roughly 15- 18.
Both genders are targeted making the audience much more versatile.
What shown on television programmes are often much more exaggerated than real life experiences making it more appealing to teenagers.
Most viewers of this genre will have experienced similar topics and issues that are being addressed within the drama, making it seem much more personal to the audience.
Most likely to buy music magazines – showing how important music is to the target audience.
Internet access is frequent, gaining access to media products such as YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.
It is based around four main characters in college who don't seem to fit in with the “popular people” and try to conform only they always end up in awkward uncomfortable situations.
Skins is closest to what we have in mind for our film, but using this research we will introduce the humour that is seen in the Inbetweeners.
This question lets us know what content of the film our audience would find interesting. The result is quite spread out, with violence drugs and alcohol being popular, with a few still interested in a love story.
We can use this as we know our audience will be interested and attracted to it. We know that teenagers can relate to clubs so this is a good piece of research. College and town were also popular.