Teen Representation in Cinema
September 1, 2024
Hosted by The Express Yourself! STAR On-Air Teen Team
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Episode Description
“The cinema has no boundary; it is a ribbon of dream.” - Orson Welles Are teens accurately represented in films and TV shows? Host Keerthi and reporter Hasini don’t think so. They tackle this issue and agree that teens are often written by adults who have forgotten their teen years and played by older adults. There is a focus of focus on stereotypes (like the nerd, the jock, the mean girl), but not enough on the complexities and nuances that reel teens experience. Filmmakers forget that real teenagers are mostly just trying to figure out how to get a good grade while avoiding their parents’ endless “life lesson” conversations. Teens are still depicted as either effortlessly cool or hopelessly awkward. It’s like directors have a script that says, “Let’s make the teen either an Instagram influencer who has their entire life figured out or someone who doesn’t understand the concept of a phone charger.” There’s rarely an in-between. Hasini thinks that, Euphoria, has done a great job of reflecting the real world. The show addresses issues like mental health, addiction, gender identity, and trauma, and it doesn't shy away from showing the raw, messy realities that many teens face. The characters are complex, flawed, and very real, which makes them relatable. Keerthi notes that cinematic portrayals are like candy—deliciously sweet but not very nutritious. They offer an escape from reality and a chance to dream about lives more glamorous, dramatic, or adventurous than our own. In conclusion, let’s celebrate the diversity of teenage experiences in cinema. Let’s have characters who are awkward, unsure, and who occasionally wear the same clothes three days in a row. Every teenager deserves to see themselves represented in a way that’s as real as their struggle to keep their room clean. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/ Sign up for FREE Newsletter: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/
Express Yourself!
Sunday at 3 PM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel
Express Yourself! is an entertaining adolescent fusion program where passion, productivity, and possibility populate the airwaves. Produced by Starstyle Productions, LLC as an international outreach program of Be the Star You Are! charity, the radio program, Express Yourself! is a show for, by, and about teens. Hosted by teens and teenage field reporters from around the country, Express Yourself! is THE destination for teens to be heard. Within the walls of the young adult community, listeners are uplifted and encouraged to be the stars of your own life. Through collaboration and conversation, a global campus of young people express their views. Topics include anything that kids talk about-books, music, making a difference, technology, school, art, humor, writing, tough talks, health, sports, films, family, friends, foes, fashion, and fun. Come play in STAR country and Express Yourself!, Sundays at 3 PM Pacific on VoiceAmerica Empowerment.
The Express Yourself! STAR On-Air Teen Team
Broadcasting since 2011, twenty-seven young people from around the United States have regularly shared their passions and interests as hosts and reporters on Express Yourself! These teens are not afraid of the tough topics and thrill at the opportunity of interviewing a variety of guests including authors, actors, Olympians, scientists, musicians, poets, and experts of varied disciplines. As volunteers with Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 charity (http://www.BTSYA.org) the Express Yourself! teens are accomplished youth striving to make a difference on our planet and are dedicated to sharing ideas while having fun and giving a voice to the voiceless. Meet our STARS at http://www.ExpressYourselfTeenRadio.com.
