Portfolio Project Genre #2

Genre!!

    Coming of age films target specifically teenagers and young adults because it focuses on a protagonist following the transition of going from childhood to adulthood and the common internal battles they face as they go through that experience. It is a very loved genre because it has relatable themes such as breakups, independence, friendships, family, and social issues.

The perks of being a wallflower is an amazing movie I usually recommend to people and is a perfect example of a coming of age film:

    Common storytelling conventions of coming of age films develop character growth, dialogue, and social issues regarding teenagers. This is because in a coming of age film it focuses on the protagonist going through a rollercoaster of emotions as they learn to go through hardships and fall into human nature of making mistakes. It truly shows the realism of growing up mentally, physically, and through personal challenges but by the end these characters grow and learn valuable life long lessons from them that the audience can take away from as well. The audience consists of people who are teenagers or young adults themselves so they can relate to some of these life issues.

     As for my project, I'm not sure if I would choose this genre for my 2 minute film opening just because it might be a slow start and typically includes a lot of dialogue. Coming of age films also typically take place in a school setting so it may be difficult to get good footage for it. I am sure people are able to pull this off but I would lean more towards a genre like thriller (my other blog post) for this project. 

    Noticeable techniques in coming of age films is including a bit of drama such as conflict with someone close to them, but often leads to resolution. Characters within the film are teenagers or young adults (around 12-18) themselves so they often question themselves and others, thinking questions like:

• Where do I belong?
  
• Who am I?
• What should I believe in?

Another great example is Lady Bird where she is actively trying to seek identity and get away from her complicated life and relationships with people and showing signs of rebellion:

    Coming of age films are extremely good at making their audience feel connected which is why I personally love this genre. It gives me comfort knowing that I'm not alone in my own personal struggles as a teenager myself which is exactly the reason these films are made and why so many fans love them. Coming of age films are memorable because they resonate with the audience more than other genres.
    

Here is me doing some research!

Sources:

1. Coming-of-Age Movies: What Is the Coming-of-Age Genre? (2021). MasterClass.
2. IMDb. (n.d.). Coming-of-age movies [Film list]. IMDb.
3. ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ Still Blooms in a Field of Coming-of-Age Dramas. (n.d.). Film Daze.