Research: Genre Specific Analysis of 'Youth' - Tommy Petroni

'Youth' is collection of home footage from the director Tommy Petroni. He filmed it over the span of four months when he was a teenager. The film is part of the coming of age genre as well as being a documentary.

Narrative
This film is made up of a collection of documented moments from Petroni's teenage years. Due to this, the film does not follow a particular story line or narrative. However, the film does follow a purpose. The intention of this film is to display a real-life perspective of youth and childhood. 'Youth' also fits well within the coming of age genre. All of the 'characters' in this film are teenagers. They are also shown drinking alcohol and visiting locations such as family homes, teenage bedrooms, built up areas and housing estates; all of which are conventional of this genre. The idea of 'Youth' is successfully portrayed in this film as we see an individual's experience of growing up and the adventures that entails.

Character Representation
Although all of the people featured in this film are real, they are conventional of the stereotypical character types often seen in the coming of age genre. They are likely between the ages of 16 and 19. Throughout the film we see them in varying scenarios. Many of these have a rebellious tone such as the scenes in which they, start fires, hold onto cars whilst skateboarding and drink alcohol. Rebellion is a key theme of this genre as it is typical for teenagers to rebel against what they are told in an attempt to be their own individual person. This also fits within the theme of 'finding yourself', which is another common element of a coming of age film.

There also appears to be an equal quantity of both genders, providing the audience with a general view of growing up that includes both female and male experiences. This also complies with the common themes of relationships and sexuality within this genre. In several scenes we see shots that suggest that this theme was intended by Petroni. Although these themes are not prominent, they are clearly featured.

Mis En Scene 
As this is a documentary, it is unlikely that specific lighting and set designs were used in each scene. However, in many scenes, the natural lighting and settings provide an insight into the narrative. For example, the opening shot of an old record player suggests that the characters have vintage or retro taste. This could also suggest the idea that these characters are unusual and thus 'outcasts'; a common character type in the coming of age genre.

Mis en scene is also used to reflect the mood of scenes in this film. For example the campfire scene conveys a relaxed, lazy tone. This is presented through the lighting of the scene. The sunset in the background provides warm, hazy lighting to the scene, which reflects the laid back atmosphere and mood of the characters. Props are also used to convey this. The inclusion of make-shift stone seats suggest a remote and natural environment. And the two characters playing guitar are common aspects of a typical 'campfire scene' in which everyone is relaxed and at ease.

The costuming and props of the characters also enforces the theme of 'youth'; the most prominent theme of this film. For example, in multiple scenes wee see the characters riding on skateboards. Thus connoting a youthful playfulness that enhances the theme of adolescence in this film. Costuming also works to the same effect as the characters are seen to be wearing casual clothing such as checked shirts and jogging bottoms. This again connotes a laid back attitude that is commonly associated with teenagers.

Sound
The score of this short film is one of the key elements of the narrative. It is the sound design of this film that provides an upbeat, reminiscent tone to the montage being displayed. This music increases in intensity as the film progresses, thus creating a nostalgic and lively effect. Although diegetic sound is featured within this film, it had been turned down so that only loud laughs and shout are audible. This again adds to the feeling of this being a joyful montage of youth, as the characters are only audible when they are loudly expressing their happiness. The film ends with an elderly man saying 'don't waste your youth growing up'. For this scene the music fades away, thus enforcing this as the message of the film and making it more prominent for the audience. This is also the only real piece of dialogue in the film thus enhancing its importance as the overall message of the film.

Editing 
This whole film is a montage. It is a collection of different moments put together in order to provide an insight into the everyday adventures of a the average teenager. However, Petroni has used a variety of interesting techniques in order to link particular scenes together in order to create a sense of continuity. For example, graphic matches are commonly used during this film. One example of this can be seen at 1.19, where a girl begins to lick her lips, then the shots cuts to a dog completing the same action.

Match on action is also used in this film at 1.24, in which a girl jumps from a platform onto her skateboard and the scene is completed with a boy doing the same action in a different setting. This is effective in creating a sense of continuity and makes the transition between the two scenes more fluid and thus more interesting visually for the viewer.

Another, simpler method Petroni uses in order to create a sense of fluidity between the scenes it to match shots based on their tone and colour. This is used for a few scenes in order to create a sense of continuity. For example at 1.49 there is a scene in which the sun is beginning to set and therefore is bright and prominent in the background. This is followed by a shot of two girls stood in front of a sunset, which is similarly bright and also stand out in the background. This creates fluidity as the tones of the shots do not juxtapose one another and therefore a smoother transition is achieved.

Camera 
It is likely that, as this is a documentary, the shots used in this film were not planned. This in turn means that there was not a huge variety of different angles and shot types used. The entirety of the film is shot with a hand held camera, connoting a sense of these scenes being personal to the creator as the are not staged or prepared. Many of the shots used are tracking shots from a hand held camera. This conveys a sense of the audience being part of the scene. For example at 0.19 we follow behind a boy and girl walking down the street conversing. For the audience, the camera movement provides a feeling of involvement as you move with the characters.

Particular shots have also been used to convey the mood of the scene and/or the overall film. For example a few shots have a sunset in the background, with a silhouetted figure in the foreground. This connotes a dreamlike environment thus further enforcing the themes of reminiscence and memories; which are prominent within this film.

This film also features night-time shots. The lighting in these scenes is generally quite make-shift as the majority of these scenes were not initially planned. The fact that they were shot at night time also suggests an element of rebellion, as these teens are staying up late and hanging around the town. This further suggests elements of the coming of age genre as the characters appear rebellious and therefore young and immature; which are strong character traits within this genre.

Close up are also used in this film, usually for a comedic effect. In these scenes the characters tend to be messing around and having fun, thus further enforcing the idea of immaturity which is common within the coming of age genre.

Conclusion 
Overall I believe that the editing of this film was a key element. Therefore I will refer back to this film for inspiration when I am editing my own project. The interesting transitions between the scenes along with the upbeat music provided a nostalgic and positive tone. I believe that it was in post that this film all came together, as the majority of the shots were random moments from the directors life.