The Oak Springs Biker

More often than not in teen or young adult-oriented media, the characters and circumstances are ordinarily categorized into archetypes to replicate real-life conditions. Said archetypes in turn periodically portray fabricated or discrediting representations of certain individuals and characteristics, which is what prompted me to revert these representations (specifically those of adolescent characters and contexts) through an artistic, potent deliverable: a screenplay. My screenplay, The Oak Springs Biker, explores numerous adolescents' narratives within a reputable, correctional boarding school, and how these adolescents' lives intersect amid their personal growth and evolvement journeys. Procedurally, I examined six films and their respective screenplays, with narratives that considerably assessed multiple dynamic characters and arcs (with all but two having a primarily adolescent character roster), and promoted audiences to impartially empathize or perceive the characters beyond their onscreen or on-page representations. Furthermore, my screenplay will engage chiefly screenwriters and filmmakers, especially those with a keenness for crafting and developing teen or young-adult stories. Additionally, my work could also be resonant and poignant for individuals who relate to the represented characters and experiences, regardless if they encountered these aspects first-hand, or if they have a more vicarious perpsective (i.e. being the guardian or mental health professional associated with a struggling adolescent). Ultimately, The Oak Springs Biker invites audiences to evaluate a teen-driven narrative with more weight and introspection than other titles within this genre and demographic, inciting individuals to reframe their previous conceptions and biases surrounding adolescent experiences, whether through their personal or professional lifestyles.