Blog Task 13: Sub-genre Conventions

The codes and conventions of teen films were established in the 1950's with films like Rebel without a Cause and The Wild One; which were both known as Juvenile Delinquent films. Also, films such as To Sir with Love (which was about a teen experience in school).


High School Drama

Film title: Grease
Plot/storyline: Sandy Olsen and Danny Zuko both meet each other in the summer and fall in love. Without him knowing, Sandy joins Danny's high school Rydell High in the fall. Danny, who belongs in a 'popular' group called the T-Birds, stereotypically wouldn't go out with a 'sweet and innocent' girl like her. Not wanting to ruin his popularity, Danny pretends to not recognise her and is mean towards her when really he still likes her. She starts hanging out with the 'popular' girl group Pink Ladies to get him to like her.

Characters and Social Groups 

Danny Zuko
The leader of the 'popular' group T-Birds and evidently the 'popular' kid in school. Represents the era of that time and shows the evolution of fashion and music. 

Sandy Olsen

The new girl at Rydell High who undergoes a transformation from the sweet, innocent girl from Australia to the 'rock and roll' girl wearing tight clothes. Representation of the classic girl of the 1950's; wouldn't do anything bad and refused to drink or smoke.








Rizzo
The leader of the 'popular' girl group Pink Ladies and is one of the most popular girls in school. She underwent a pregnancy scare and goes out with one of the T-birds.

Frenchy
Shows the stereotype of the 'stupid high school drop out.'











Marty
Shows the values and morals of a 1960's girl. She looks for older men and believes that she is too mature for all boys her age.







The popular groups in Grease aren't the jocks or cheerleaders like they would be set in the 2000's. The popular kids were the members of T-Birds and Pink Ladies; who drank and smoked. They never really cared about sports, the jocks and cheerleaders were made fun of.

Stereotypes 

Pink Ladies

The 'Popular' kids in school: The two groups classified as the popular kids in school were the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies. It shows the typical High School clique with group leaders and all dressed in the same attire. They separated themselves from other social classes and had to discuss letting Sandy join.

The 'nerdy' kid: Eugene is represented as the stereotype of a nerdy, unpopular student. In the film, he is seen following people around who do not give him the time of day.

Settings and Locations

Rydell High School 

Frenchy's house 

Youth Drama 

Film title: Cyberbully

Plot/storyline: Teenage girl Taylor Hillridge is a 17 year-old high school student who becomes a victim to online bullying. When her mom gives her a computer for her birthday, Taylor is excited by the prospect of freedom and the independence of going online without her mother always looking over her shoulder. However, Taylor soon finds herself the victim of betrayal and bullying while visiting a social website (Cliquesters), and  becomes afraid of going to school. It's only after this life-changing event that Taylor learns that she is not alone - meeting other teens, including a classmate, who have had similar experiences. Taylor's mom, Kris, reels from the incident and takes on the school system and state legislation to help prevent others from going through the same harrowing ordeal as her daughter. 

Characters and Social Groups

Taylor Hillridge

The victim of online bullying after receiving her own computer for her birthday. She feels like everyone is against her and is immensely suffering a serious issue. 

Samantha Caldone 

Supposedly Taylor's best friend, however pretends to be someone else online in order to bully and call her names, claiming everyone to believe that Taylor is a "slut." 

Cheyenne Mortenson 

Seen as Taylor's most supportive friend; doesn't pretend to be someone else online like Samantha and consoles Taylor. 

Lindsay Fordyce 

One of the lead bullies at Taylor's high school; after finding out about the 'rumours', she calls Taylor several names and embarrasses her in front of everyone. 

Kris Hillridge 

Taylor's mum; she trusted her daughter with her own computer and after finding out about the social network, insisted on Taylor deleting her account straight away. Plays the role of an 'oblivious' mother who doesn't know what goes on in her daughters life. 

The social groups shown in this film are 

Stereotypes 

Outcast group

The typical 'outcast' group who no one pays attention to and who get bullied for unexplainable reasons e.g. what Taylor is wearing and the calling of names. 

Settings and Locations

Locker Room