Codes and conventions of the teen film genre vary depending on the cultural context of the film, but they can include proms, alcohol, illegal substances, high school, parties and all-night raves, losing one's virginity, relationships, social groups and cliques, and American pop-culture.

The classic codes and conventions of teen film come from American films where one of the most widely used conventions are the stereotypes and social groups. The wide range stereotypes most commonly used include:

The Jock/Cheerleader
The Princess
The Geek/Nerd
The Rebel
The Misfit, or The Outcast
The Average Girl/Boy (the boy/girl next door)
The New Girl/Boy
The Loner
The Band Geek

Apart from the characters there are many other codes and conventions of teen film. These films are often set in or around high schools as this allows for many different social cliques to be shown. This is different in hybrid teen films, but for the classic romantic comedy teen film this is almost always the case.


The most popular teen dramas are set in affluent locales (e.g. Beverly Hills, 90210, The O.C., Gossip Girl), or in fictional town settings (e.g. Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill). Most teen dramas have a cast of attractive actors, living a privileged and wealthy life. Shows that depict teen life in a more realistic manner tend not to do nearly as well, although there are exceptions, notable ones being the critically acclaimed The Secret Life of the American Teenager, My So-Called Life and Freaks and Geeks, as well as the British teen drama The Inbetweeners. Another being the Canadian-produced Degrassi series. All four Degrassi series; (Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High and Degrassi: The Next Generation), have been very successful in Canada and the United States.

Homework:
Teenagers and Teenpics: the juvenilization of American movies in the 1950s
By Thomas Patrick Doherty
Chapter 3

Posed Questions
1. How are adolescent characteristics, issues or problems depicted in the movie?
2. How are the relationships and sexuality of teens depicted in the movie?
3. How realistic (true to life) is this movie?