Codes and conventions of teen romantic-comedies

From our own knowledge and individual research we identified key codes and conventions that are identifiable in teen romantic-comedy films. We looked at stock settings and characters, themes, narrative and iconography. For each aspect we found textual evidence from different films to support our claims. 

Stock settings:

• Parties
• School
• Home (usually main characters bedroom) 
• Park
• Shops/Town Centres

Stock characters:

• Female protagonist- Usually a female character, somebody the audience can relate to, an outcast.
• Male protagonist- Clumsy, somebody who the character sees more of as a 'friend'.
• Love Interest- Typical dream guy, usually popular and out of the characters league.
• Best Friend- Provides support for friend, main character might let her down, comic element is added. 
• Antagonist-Enemy to the protagonist, usually has an interest in dream guy, usually more popular and has a large group of friends.
• Parents/teachers- Have control over protagonist, cause problems.

Themes:

• Love 
• Romance
• Deceit
• Finding 'who you are'
• Sex
• Happily ever after 
• Embarrassment

Iconography:

•  
• Love hearts
• Kissing
• Flowers
• Chocolate
• The colours red and pink
• Mobile phones, internet, laptops

Narrative

• Main character who is usually an outcast, fancies the 'dream guy' who is  out of her league. 
• Antagonist usually also fancies the same person.
• There might also be another male character who loves the main character but is not suspected of doing so. 
• Fight between antagonist and protagonist.
• Conflict between dream guy and protagonist; realisation she does not love him but loves other male character.
• Sometimes the main character will let down the best friend for the guy but they will eventually reconcile.
• Lives happily ever after.