High School Comedy

1. High School Comedy By : Gary Carbajal & LudvinGudiel

2. Early history • The first appearance to films similar to high school comedy movies were in the 1950s and 60s but they were called “beach party films”. • One of the popular film series of this genre was Gidget • Came out in 1959 directed by Paul Wendkos • which is based on the novel Gidget the little girl with big ideas by Fredrick Kohner.

3. What is it? • “A film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst or alienation. Often these normally serious subject matters are presented in a glossy, stereotyped or trivialized way.” – wikipedia.com

4. Setting • Tends to take place in: • High schools, colleges, parties, raves, neighborhoods, the city high school or college events.

5. Cinematography • Close ups • Cross cutting • Tracking shots • Key light • Pan • Point of view shot

6. Types of High School Comedy Films • Teen Sci-fi. Kick Ass. • Teen horror. I Know What You Did Last Summer. • Teen drama. Easy A. • Teen comedy. 21 Jump Street. • Teen musical. High School Musical.

7. Themes • Partying. • Creating friendships. • Reveals the truths about high school or college students. • Romantic scenes of couples. • A life of a high school or college student. • Trying to grow up to be an adult, realizing they aren’t ready.

8. Noteworthy actors, directors and writers • George Lucas- pioneered the genre by writing and directing American Grafitti. • John Hughes- directed The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, etc. • Eric Rohmer-focusing on young adults or youth and their complications with love. Directed Autumns Tale, Claire’s Knee. • Annette Funicello • Hayley Mills • Sal Mineo • Brat Pack • John Cusack • Sarah Michelle Gellar • Neve Campbell • Jennifer Love Hewitt • Sean William Scott • Freddie Prinze

9. Iconography • The jock/ cheerleader • School diva • The geek/nerd • The rebel • The outcast • The average boy/girl • The loner • Class clown • Drugs/ alcohol • Nudity • Sex

10. 5th must see film • Project X- 2012 Directed By: NimaNourizadeh. • Three high school seniors throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as word of the party spreads. • Stars: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown, DaxFlame. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvbMfHj63_c

11. 4th must see film • American Pie- 1999 • Four teenage boys enter a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. • Director: Paul Weitz. • Stars: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alyson Hannigan. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUZ3Yxok6N8

12. 3rd must see film • Superbad- 2007 Director: Greg Mottola. • Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry. • Stars: Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNpoTxeydiY

13. 2nd must see film • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- 1986 Director: John Hughes • A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that. Director: John Hughes. • Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-P6p86px6U

14. 1st must see film • The breakfast Club- 1985 Director: John Hughes. • Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought. Director: John Hughes • Stars: Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3plxyCBZ5CI

15. High School Comedy Directors • George Lucas: “The secret to film is that it’s an allusion”. • John Hughes:”A nerd will be a nerd all his life”.