Textual anaylsis

Three whole films – Teen Comedy

Bring It On

Stock settings

·     The primary stock setting for ‘Bring It On’ is in a school environment and this follows the codes and conventions of a teen comedy. The use of school environment allows the audience to explore the realms of a teenage setting which consists of a variety of social groups.

Stock characters

·    ‘Bring It On’ features the typical stock characters which are found in a teenage comedy film. The most prominent characters are the cheerleaders, jocks and the boy next door. It is suggestive the portrayal of the stock characters in the film allow the film to portray an element of diversity, although it posses stereotypes. On the other hand, the incorporation of these characters allows the audience to explore the differences of attitudes conveyed by each social group.

Themes

·     The main theme present in ‘Bring it On’ is relationships, the relationship between two cheerleading squads is experimented with. The relationship is initially hostile but in time it grows. Therefore, it is suggestive the relationship between the two social groups have been experimented with in order to bridge a gap in terms of social grouping.  Furthermore, the experimentation of the relationship between the two groups allows the audience to view a common code and convention of a theme in the teen comedy genre.

Iconography

·     Cheerleading costumes are shown strongly throughout the film, the prominent stock characters appear in costume. The cheerleading costume could be interpreted as being similar to a uniform and it also appears to give those wearing it a sense of identity. The iconography fits the codes and conventions of a teen comedy however, it suggestive it paints teenagers in negative light.  In this film teenagers appear dependent on their image because they associate identity with a uniform.

Narrative

·    The narrative of the film follows a linear structure however; it relies on a stereotypical view of a teenage behaviour. Throughout the film social groups are pitted against each other and in doing so the portrayal of the teenagers can be defined as being the dominant ideology, troublesome. In addition, the portrayal of teenagers in 'Bring it on' is commonly found in  films in the teenage comedy genre.

Juno

Stock settings

·     In ‘Juno’ the typical stock setting of a school is present, the school acts as an environment which houses a wide range of social groups, such as the athletics and outcasts.  The social group which ‘Juno’ belongs to could be deemed as outcast, because she appears to not fit into the school environment.

Stock characters

·    ‘Juno’ could be defined as an outcast which is a code and convention of the movie genre.  The representation of ‘Juno’ is suggestive it is influenced by her pregnancy. By allowing the representation of ‘Juno’ to be influenced it highlights her underage pregnancy as an issue.

Themes

·    The main theme in ‘Juno’ is relationships and this is a common feature in the teen comedy genre. The relationship between Juno and her community is delved into in order show how pregnancy has affected it. The effect of a teenage pregnancy on a relationship is not a general code and convention of the teen comedy genre; however it allows the audience to explore an issue which they might not be familiar with.

Iconography

·     The iconography in ‘Juno’ connotes verisimilitude because it is set in a realistic environment.  In ‘Juno’ the audience can form a relationship with the characters and setting because they are placed in a domestic environment that is identifiable to them.

Narrative

·     The narrative of Juno, could be perceived as conveying teenagers as the dominant ideology of being troublesome. A teenage character is depicted as underage and pregnant. The depiction of the character appears to be negative and it is suggestive it has been used to reinforce the dominant ideology.

Mean Girls

Stock settings

·     The stock setting of ‘Mean Girls’ follows the codes and conventions of a teen comedy genre. ‘Mean Girls’ is set in a high school and it is suggestive this stock setting has been chosen because it features many teenage social groups and characteristics.

Stock characters

·     There is a variety of stock characters used in ‘Mean Girls’ such as the school jocks, outcasts and new girl. The incorporation of many stock characters could be considered as heightening the sense of reality in a school environment because it showcases many social groups under one community. Following on from this, the effect from housing many social groups is friction which is an element of entertainment for the audience.

Themes

·      The main theme throughout ‘Mean Girls’ is relationships, the social groups which consist could be considered as a catalyst.  Depending where you are placed on the social scale in ‘Mean Girls’ it determined the level of communication and respect given.  It can be interpreted by using social groups as a catalyst to explore relationships it has made the audience view the typical codes and conventions of a teen comedy theme through the eyes of different social groups.

Iconography

·      In ‘Mean Girls’ the costume worn by the stock characters appears to be a reflective of their social group.  The jocks costume featured college jackets and the outcasts wore dark clothing. It is suggestive the iconography in ‘Mean Girls’ has been used to provide characters with an identity because the costumes worn portrays their character

Narrative

·      The narrative of ‘Mean Girls’ focuses on relationships it shows how social groups such as jocks and outcasts are related to in a school environment. The focus on relationships allows the audience to understand a perspective which they may never have considered previously, therefore it could be considered as effective.