Question 1

 March 6, 2025

CCR Research for Q1

How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Hiii Cambridge! Today I was doing some research for my first CCR. There is something about a good coming-of-age film that just sticks with you. Personally, I love the nostalgia, the awkwardness, and the way it captures teenagers in their awkward years between being a kid and an adult. Coming-of-age movies create a comfortable and relatable environment for myself and others. 

Coming-of-age movies allow us to see what various teenage generations cared about, struggled with, and believed in. From the rebellious energy of Rebel Without a Cause (1955) to the raw honesty of Lady Bird (2017). While Eighth Grade (2018) highlighted the challenges of growing up, American Graffiti (1973) captured the joys of youth in the early 1960s. These movies ensure that we all see a little of ourselves on screen whether it's first love, a family argument, or the fear of growing up.

Genre Conventions

1. Relatable Characters: Piper is going through the transition from high school to college, and the film opening shows her struggles more than her excitement. This makes it easy for teenagers to relate to her feelings.

2. Setting: The film's opening includes a teenage party scene, which is a familiar scene that teenagers see. The emotional shift happens when Piper goes to the bathroom, overwhelmed. The audience can see how it's all too much to take at once for Piper.

3. Transitions: Rather than focusing on typical milestones, the film emphasizes a more reminiscent moment as Piper looks back on old videos. This shows her transition from a high school teenager to the beginning of her adulthood.