These are the typical coming of age film conventions.

1. Coming Of Age
Genre Conventions

2. Top 10
Coming Of age films
(As voted by the critics of ‘the guardian’)
1)Clueless
2)Dazed and Confused
3)Pretty in Pink
4)Juno
5)Rumble Fish
6)Heathers
7)10 Things I Hate About You
8)Kids
9)Superbad
10)Blackboard Jungle

3. Iconography
Within coming of age films it is stereotypical for them to include the latest
digital technology, such as laptops and MP3’s. Many coming of age films
include mobile phones and some have entire scenes in which characters will
be talking on their mobile technology. Also typical iconography in coming of
age films is cars, as many teenagers grow up and learn to drive, many include
their reckless and crazy driving skills. In high school centred films it is generic
for a geeky character to be carrying folders and books around too. Alcohol is
also typical iconography used in this genre.
Mobile phone
scene within the
classic teen film,
‘Mean Girls’

4. Characters
Generic characters of coming of age films include, teenage girls & boys, strict
parents and teachers that can be controlling over the teenagers life. Within
high school centred coming of age films, there are stereotypical characters of
nerds, cheerleaders, jocks (usually the bully of the film), the outsider, the
‘new girl’ and the wannabe, that follows what everybody else is doing and is
desperate to be popular.
‘Hannah Montana
The Movie’ – A
good example of a
controlling parent
In coming of age films, characters may typically
be in their set cliques, for example in mean girls
there is ‘The plastics’ a clique that contains the
main characters of the film.
A love interest character is
typically inflicted in the film
some way and creates problems
and sparks up a range of
emotions for the main
protagonist.

5. Location
A very popular setting within coming of age films is high schools. Teenagers
spend most of their time at school and they are a key character in the
coming of age genre so the high school location is expected. Another key
setting is the teenager’s bedroom, this is another stereotypical place where
teens spend most of their time. Some more examples of generic locations
are: Prom, in transportation such as cars, a family home, cafes, football
games and shopping centres.
‘Struck by lightning’ –
mostly set in typical,
American high school.
‘Perks of being a wallflower’ Car scene.

6. Themes
A classic example of theme used in coming of age films is young love. Many
coming of age films include a main protagonist and a love interest, and the
main theme will be their love story. Another typical theme would be parties,
alcohol and drugs, parties are usually the place where things go wrong in the
film and something has to be resolved. Teen issues are a generic theme too,
such as mental disorders, hormonal issues, sexuality and exams. Furthermore
these teen issues are typically the main narrative of the film and provide
complications within the story.
‘GBF’ Coming of
age film – Main
narrative is
sexuality

7. Sound
The soundtrack to a coming of age film is generically an indie/pop
soundtrack that is catchy and will get stuck in your head.
Within this film genre there are many films that include non-digetic
voiceovers from the main protagonist, for example Clueless.
School bells and sounds , such as talking within hallways and school
announcements can also be stereotypical sounds heard within coming of age
films.
Pop music is usually played in these film genres too.
Detention scene
in the film ‘The
Breakfast Club’

8. Colours
The colours of a coming of age film, are normally bright, bold and
interesting. They can be the complete opposite to a horror film in which the
colours are very dark and dull. It is usually daytime so coming of age films
seem light-hearted and mostly cheerful.
‘Freaky Friday’ is a
bright, typical
coming of age film.