More Drama Genre Research

It's day two of genre research! I've been looking at examples of teen drama films. Many films are about teenage romance, while others are about teenage life overall. 

💫 The Fault in Our Stars 💫

The Fault in Our Stars directed by Josh Boone & based on the novel written by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars (2014) follows many genre conventions, while heavily focusing on an intimate relationship between a male protagonist and a female protagonist. What drives a knife into the hearts of all the viewers is that both main characters have terminal diseases: Hazel Lancaster has thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs and Augustus Waters's osteosarcoma caused him to lose his leg. The emotionally charged backgrounds of the characters drive the drama convention. The deeply emotional and tragic story surrounding two introverted, indie teenagers classify this film as a teen drama, but other factors come into play. The film shows many elements that represent or are typically used to portray love

like flowers,

beautiful settings (this film does not show much of any school setting as the main character has to stay at home because of her illness), 

and heartbreaking moments.

The male protagonist, Augustus Waters, is portrayed as a young, apathetic heartthrob. This is the type of character that highly appeals to teenage girls. He is charming and, in actuality, caring, underneath his bad boy image. He, like most male teenagers in romantic teen dramas, says quotes that make his character seem philosophical and wise, some simply just attempts to melt the hearts of the viewers.

(I cannot forget to include the most iconic quote from the movie.)

💀 Lady Bird 💀

Lady Bird directed by Greta Gerwig

The film Lady Bird (2017) depicts the teenage life of Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. Lady Bird has a plot that is not exaggerated and romanticized as opposed to other teen dramas. It does show conventional ideas such as the clashing relationship between teenager and parent, trying to fit in and losing yourself, breakups between friends, teenagers who only care about getting someone into bed, finding true identity (personality, religion, sexual orientation, etc.), struggles with high school and college, being young and ignorant, and teenage culture in general. The film does a wonderful job of depicting struggles and hardships that teenagers commonly deal with.

I think for my film opening, I want to focus on creating something more similar to Lady Bird than The Fault in Our Stars. I'd like to focus on a melancholic tone, it's a feeling lots of teens such as myself can relate to. I still need to think of that big factor that will make it different from typical teen drama movies...

https://www.slideshare.net/radineurope/the-fault-in-our-stars-62709929