I then began to look closely at individual Teen Romance films and pick out various elements to the films:
Now Is Good:
CREATION OF ENIGMA
The audience are first introduced to the main character through a steamed mirror, which is then wiped away and the character is revealed. As a first impression of the character, the audience are not aware of who this character is, but can suggest that the character conforms with ideology of a care for appearance that teens share. An enigma is created because the audience know so little about this character. The audience question who the character is, where she is, who she is with and what she is doing. The audience are then made aware of an illness of this character, but are not made aware of what the illness is, again creating enigma.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS
We are first introduced to the main character through a close-up is face onto the character, which allows the audience to take in her appearance. It is almost as if she is talking directly (although it is a voice over) to the audience, thus creating a close connection and relatability factor between the character and the audience. The red short dress that we first see the character wearing withholds sexual connotations and shows a provocative side to the character, although this idea is dismissed as the opening continues. We are secondly introduced to the main character’s friend which not only shows her importance in the narrative, but also shows the theme of friendship.
SETTING UP PLOT
The audience are introduced at first to themes of sex, a common theme in the Teen Romance film. The audience can tell from this and the anchoring dialogue that rebelliousness of the character will follow. The audience begin to relate and connect with the main character, we also begin to understand her problems and troubles and sympathise for her, the audience already want to find out more about the character with the illness, we can tell from the focus on the illness that the film will be based upon this factor.
PACE AND RHYTHM
Straight cuts are used in the introduction of Now Is Good to create realism for the audience so that they can feel a part of the narrative and can follow the story with inclusion so that they can relate to the characters. This idea is also demonstrated through the slow paced feeling that is distinguished. The slow moving shots allow the audience to familiarise themselves with the characters.
MOOD AND TONE
A non-diegetic voice over is used in the beginning of the film. Only the audience can hear the voice-over despite there being two characters in the shot. The audience feel as though the character is confiding in them, creating a level of trust between the character and the audience. The secrecy of the voice over is also reflective of the characters (and reflective of teens) being outcast and not able to confide or trust others. There is also a non-diegetic soundtrack in the background. The soundtrack of the extract begins to be slow, and almost eery, which creates mystery, this reflects the way in which teenagers keep themselves to themselves and in a way can be mysterious.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist:
CREATION OF ENIGMA
We are first introduced to the film through off-screen dialogue. The audience hear two voices but the visual component of the opening is not shown, instead showing the surroundings. This creates an enigma because the audience do not know who the two characters are.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS
The audience are first introduced to the character whilst he is taking an important phone call. This is significant because the phone call seems to be private , but it is almost as if the character is allowing the audience to hear it, almost creating a bond between the audience and the main character. The character’s friends are then introduced, but are never in the same shot as the main character. This may suggest common issues for teenagers that even though they have friends, they still feel alone and outcast, this is reflective of the narrative.
SETTING UP PLOT
Themes of love and heartbreak are introduced into the narrative through a desperate phone call, the audience begin to sympathise with the character and his quest into getting his love interest back, it is something that teens will be able to relate to.
PACE AND RHYTHM
Straight cuts are used within the beginning of the sequence and create realism so that the audience can feel a part of the film and follow the story with inclusion so that they can relate to the characters. The pace of the opening is fast, lightening the mood of the sequence to almost make the narrative seem humorous, as if the male character's situation is something to be mocked.
MOOD AND TONE
A soundtrack is used in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. The soundtrack in the background of the opening of the film is slow and poignant , demonstrating the mind set of the character as being troubled, a key theme in teen films. The doodled titles give the opening of the film a child-like and youthful atmosphere.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower:
CREATION OF ENIGMA
The audience are first presented with a car journey. The car journey is a symbol of the life journey that the characters are going to make , however to begin with, the audience are unaware of is going to be involved in the journey and where it is going to lead them. The audience are then introduced to a character and are made aware of possible problems that the character is dealing with, however an enigma is created because the audience are unaware of details about this character and his problems.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS
The audience are first introduced to the character whilst he is writing an important letter. He is reading out what is being written. This is significant because the letter seems to be private, but it is almost as if the character is allowing the audience to hear it, almost creating a bond between the audience and the main character. We are also made aware in the voice over that the character rarely speaks to people, this makes it significant because he is talking to the audience. We also hear the voice over as the character imagines walking down the school corridor, the audience are sharing the experience with the character.
SETTING UP PLOT
Ideas of mental illness are presented to the audience. We are made aware by the letter that the character has problems mentally that cannot be fixed, again aligning with ideas that teens are troubled or in trouble. The audience are also made aware of the loneliness of the character. Because of the letter and the voice over, the audience are made aware that the character is an outcast and struggles to be around people.
PACE AND RHYTHM
Dissolves and slow motion are used to give a sense of slowness, conveying a sincere feeling for the audience. The slowness of the editing also enables the audience to fully view the character and in turn almost getting to know this character
MOOD AND TONE
Although the non-diegetic soundtrack is not completely upbeat and energetic, it also isn’t a poignant song. It brings a “chilled” atmosphere to the opening of the film, It is almost relaxing the audience whilst introducing them to the character (due to the love-related lyrics).
The Last Song
CREATION OF ENIGMA
The first thing that the audience are presented with is a fire, the audience are not aware of any details of the fire, but we can suggest that the concept will have some sort of relevance to the narrative. Within the first few minutes of the extract, little is known or introduced to the audience. They do not know who the characters are and why they are travelling somewhere. The main character does not talk to the other characters enough to feed the audience with information, however this may also suggest that the character is held back and an outcast to her (presumable) family.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS
Although other characters (like the firemen) are seen before the main character, the audience do not see their face. However, the first full faced character that they see is a female, suggesting her importance in the narrative, The character is sleeping too, which could suggest the laziness associated with teens.We are also introduced to the first character’s family and we learn within the first few minutes of the film that the character has a very unsteady relationship with her family. Because we know so little about the character, and there have been no voice-overs or close ups, the audience cannot necessarily relate to or form a relation to the character. This may suggest a lot about the character being extremely cut off from others.
SETTING UP PLOT
Ideas of a troubled teen are introduced to the audience. We are first introduced to a fire of a building, which is then cut to the sleeping girl, The audience are led to presume that the fire had something to do with the girl. This suggests to the audience that she is a rebellious character and that the narrative may be based around this fact. This idea is also supported when we find out that the character has been arrested before.
PACE AND RHYTHM
Straight cuts are used to create realism in this extract. This realism is reflective of the situation and suggests that the narrative is ordinary and what is expected from a teen, for example her laziness and attitude.
MOOD AND TONE
The non diegetic soundtrack is very dramatic sounding, which aligns with the visual element of the film. The soundtrack provokes a sense of fear and allows the audience to anticipate what is happening within the narrative.The soundtrack is then cut off by the dialogue of the characters but then a more slow poignant soundtrack is used when the father is in shot. The difference in soundtrack creates a different feeling for the audience, at first the audience were prepared for drama, and then a poignant soundtrack appears,. This could suggest that the father has a lot of emotionally significance to the narrative, but the audience are unaware of why.
