The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring is a teen movie based on true events of a fame-obsessed group of teens that make use of the internet in order to know where the celebrities, they idolised, were located. Once they found that the celebrities were out of town they would use this as an opportunity to go and steal from their houses.

In 'The Bling Ring' there are several conventions that are presented which links 'The Bling Ring' to being a teen movie. These conventions consist of themes, locations, music and characters.

There are a variety of themes within this movie such as:

• Drugs and alcohol: The teens allow themselves to indulge in a lifestyle where they're consuming illegal substances.
• Partying: The teens use their free time to socialise at parties. 
• Celebrities and their culture: The teens idolise the celebrities and are really influenced by their lifestyle which motivates them to take their clothes and jewelry with the intention of imitating or impersonating their culture.
• Fashion: The teens all show a similar interest in high end fashion, this is due to their idols influencing the way in which they dress or carry themselves in public to be perceived as the most fashionable or the most stylish.
• Money: Money plays a huge role as this is what the teens use to get by, they sell some of the items they steal in order to get money to spend.

In terms of locations, the high school setting just enhances the idea that 'The Bling Ring' is a teen film. Moreover, the typical teen hangouts such as the beach the parties and family homes.

Music within the film is also a key element as the teens listen to modern hip hop tracks in the car and generally young energetic music when they go to parties which could reflect their reckless lifestyle.

Another thing that makes 'The Bling Ring' a teen movie is the typical teen movie characters:

• The usual annoying adults who get in arguments with their kids  
• The young teen characters who are obsessed with popularity

The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring consist of a group of teenagers who in California burgled the homes of several celebrities over a period between October through August. Their activities resulted in the theft of about $3 million in cash and belongings. The movie based on true events explores fame-obsessed teenagers who track celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their homes but as well explores the themes and conventions of a teen movie. 

There are many conventions which have been incorporated into The Bling Ring that suggests its 'teen movie' genre, this includes...

Characters

The film uses teenage actors/actresses to give the film a sense of realism. These include Katie Chang, Emma Watson and Claire Julien. Many films incorporate teenagers as actors, by doing this its easier for the actors to connect to the lifestyle of a teenager as they are one. 

Theme

Many themes are explored throughout the film the main ones being Fame & Fortune, Celebrities, Alcohol and Drugs. These are expressed in many ways. Within the film the teenagers allow them selves to involved themselves with illegal substances. This shows the way in which teenagers are not responsible as young adults.

Music

The music within the movie is a key element is allows to express the characters emotions within the film through the use of loud modern Hip-Pop such as Kanye, M.I.A and Jay-Z however it not only expresses the emotions but the lyrics within the songs express their life's and their state of mind.

The movie reflects different opinions about teenagers, adults and modern culture. Teens are seen as wreck less, dependent and irresponsible. There behavior and being department on materials shows the audience young adults/teenagers rely on materialistic resources. However the adults are seen as naive. They believe there children when told  they  are going a certain place when in fact they are in a place of danger and don't know their where about. They take no responsibility for their children.

The clique within the movie are expressed as fame obsessed dependent teens who spend their time stealing instead of focusing on high school. They have no morals and do not consider the consequences to their actions. When caught the teens were not sorry for what they did but the fact they were a stereotypical group where you have the leader, newbie and the other companions. Other films such as Mean Girls and High School Musical also demonstrate that type of clique.

Although the film can be linked to other teen movies it differs from past films. For starters the film is based on true events.  Secondly the boy within the film being gay normally is not within 'the clique' everyone talks about but instead bullied. However because they clique is mostly made out of girls with a passion for fashion which would seem her has knowledge of they respond well with him.

Ferris Buler's Day Off.

The Story line set up in the intro:

Ferris Bueller, our protagonist in the movie, fools his parents and teachers into allowing him a "day off" school. The clear difference between younger brother and older sister is highlighted in the first few minutes. This is done by showing Bueller laying in bed being taken care of by his parents whilst his sister is in the back watching. He pretends to be sick to skip a 'day off' school. However his sister is the one trying to ruin his plans. Bueller is mostly shown with his parents in the same shot which shows us they are attached to Bueller, however his sister is sometimes shown alone. This could mean that she is by herself and mostly goes against Bueller and her parents.

Cinematography presents the binary oppositions in two ways: the adults are gullible and teenagers can fool people easily, the adults have more power but don't know how to use it but the teenagers have less power but know how to use the little power that they do have. A point of view shot whenever Ferris is speaking, it shows his parents looking worried and anxious about his health whereas when his parents are looking at him a high angle shot is used; the point of view shot suggest the gullibility level of his parents is really high because of the facial expressions we see from the shot unlike the point of view shot the high angle shot suggests how the parents do have the authority to make him go to school but because of how slick and well thought out Ferris is about his pretend illness they decide not to make him go.

There are various ways in which editing within this extract presents the binary oppositions. For instance, the opening long shot of Ferris' house is a cross cut to the scene in the bedroom as we can hear the parents speaking to him even though the shot is of the outside. This could mirror the way that Ferris isn't paying attention to what his parents are saying, similarly to the way we are hearing them speak but not seeing them. Another example of this specific binary opposition is the shot reverse shots where Ferris is in bed and the parents are beside the bed speaking to him. The parents are shown from a low angle which makes them seem more powerful and Ferris is shown from a low angle which reflects how little authority he has.

Sound is used within the extract to present binary opposites.  The music between the parents in the room scene and his monologue is very different. Where his parents have a soft music whereas Ferris is more loud and techno. This represents the personality of both scenes. Ferris's parents are more subtle however Ferris is represented as rebellious as he fakes an illness to miss high school. Having this binary opposite allows the audience to see the differences between the child and the parent but also to drive the narrative forward. 

Opening Sequence to Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

What Is A Teen Film?

What is a teen film?

A teen film is a film targeted for teenagers and young adults which has a story line/plot that appeal to them for example first love, coming of age etc. Sexual themes are also common  Throughout teen films the present teenage life in a very stereotypical and glossy way so that it can appeal to teenagers and have something to relate to. Teen films are often set with a hanging out area, high school/college,  and places you would expect teenagers to be.

Sub-genres in teen films 

The common sub-genres for teen films are:

• Teen Sci-fi: this sub-genre includes films such as The Hunger Games (2012&2013), Chronicle (2012) and X-Men First Class (2011).
• Teen horror: this sub-genre includes films like Jeepers Creepers (2000), Scream 4 (2011) and Sorority Row (2009).
• Teen drama: this sub genre consists of films such as Romeo & Juliet (1996), Juno (2007) and Save The Last Dance (2001).
• Teen comedy: this sub-genre includes 17 Again (2009), Easy A (2010) and Pitch Perfect (2012).
• Teen musicals: this sub-genre consists of films such as Fame (1980), Grease (1978), Hairspray (1988).
• Teen Action: this sub-genre has films as as Kick Ass (2010), I am Number Four (2011) and 21 Jump Street (2012).

What Is A Teen Film?

What Is A Teen Movie?

Teen Movies have evolved from American TV series. Directors and writers have developed stories by using the stereotype of American teenagers. The majority of Teen Movies include everyday troubles that adults and teens can relate to. The themes of first love, new school, being bullied, are all used to create different stories that all come together to make a Teen Movie. These movies usually take place in locations familiar to teens such as high school, the park, the cinema, the local canteen.

After being developed into a new genre of movies Teen Movies have developed into a branch of sub-genres. These are some examples of sub-genres:

Teen Action: Kick-Ass

Teen Musical: Hairspray

Teen Sci-Fi: Bill and Ted's excellent adventure 

Teen Comedy: Superbad

Teen Horror: Carrie 

Teen Drama: Breakfast Club

Not Another Movie clearly shows how movies use different stereotypes.

What Is A Teen Film?

What is a teen film?

A teen film can simply be described as a film which is predominantly based around teenagers and teen lifestyle. The story lines in these type of films usually appeal to teens. For example, being the new kid at high school/college, first love, coming of age etc. Teen films are often set with a location that teens use to hang out around high school/college and during their free time. Prime examples are the Locker room, the gym, the canteen, playground (in some cases), diner's, each other's houses and many more.

Teen films consist of sub-genre's which means there are ways in which many different genres are used to represent teens. 

These sub-genre's are:

Teen Musical: High School musical                 
Teen Action: Kick Ass
Teen Comedy: 17 Again
Teen Sci-Fi: The Hunger Games
Teen Drama: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Teen Horror: Scream 4


Here is a visual example of how the stereotypical popular guy in a teen film would be portrayed:

Mike O'Donell arrives to school in a high priced luxury sports car, Audi R8, attracting attention and interest from different social groups on campus. This is stereotypical of the popular guy's in teen films.

Teen Films: Interview With Mum !

Question : What is your favorite teen movie ?

Answer : Grease.

Question : Why do you like Grease ?
Answer : Because I like the actor John Travolta and its funny and at the same time its what a teenager go through ; fall in love, have heart breaks ans good girl gone bad.

Question : What makes a teen film appeal to all audiences ?
Answer : The music

Question : Explain ?
Answer  : If its classic music lots of people wouldn't be attracted towards it because lots not current however a song which appeals to everyone is warming.

Question : How do you think stereotypes are presented within teen films
Answer : Errmm... by costume, lighting and speech.

Question :What do you mean ?
Answer : For example if it was about youths in London the teenagers would be wearing hoodies and would talk slang. Whereas if it was based on rich people they would speak in a well mannered and we wouldn't see them wearing hoodies but designers.