"American Teen" at the L.A. Film Festival

..."American Teen' is more than a documentary about high school; it is the high school experience."- Paste

Being categorized in high school as a "Geek," a "Jock," the "Heartthrob," the "Rebel," or the "Queen Bee," is something we have all seen in our high school experiences, and in most cases these classifications are inevitable. Most of us would want to grow out of these stereotypes and face reality outside of high school. But sometimes you can't escape the wrath of socialization. Thus you are left with what people are trying to escape from- a part of the rest of their life.

But this was not the plan that Hannah Bailey, who played the " Rebel" on American Teen, had. She wanted to get out there and make a difference in what she wanted to do; what made her happy." You really have to do what you love," Bailey states," you can't always worry about what others have said about you." Her senior year experience was different, along with costars Megan, Jake, Mitch, and Colin.

Throughout the film you could see the pressure that not only was put on them in school, but also the pressure formulated at home as well. Colin Clemens, who portrayed the typical "Jock," struggled to please his dad when it came down to preparing for college sports. He was the star of the Warsaw Basketball team. With incredible skill, Colin Clemens went through a tough roller-coaster of a senior year of high school. After the experience of being part of "American Teen" he states, "Since the film was filmed in this generation, most of us can relate to it. Who you were in high school or who you still are." He also states that, '' stereotypes are pretty much branded upon you depending on what you do." Co-star Megan Krizmanich, who plays the teen "Princess" went through similar pressures. Those pressures included coping with the anxiety and stress of getting into Notre Dame since multiple members of her family were Notre Dame alumni. She is now in her third year at Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, Jake Tusing and Mitch Reinholt are both totally different from one another. Jake plays the "Geek" and Mitch plays the role of the "Heartthrob." But, during their senior year of high school they both take what they believe to be well-calculated risks. Mitch takes a "social risk" as he discovers he has a crush on Hannah Bailey, the "Rebel." The two dated throughout their senior year of high school. However, due to peer pressure the relationship did not succeed. Also, just as Mitch is crowned Prom King, reality takes its course as stereotypes fall into play once again. He states that, " I really don't like the fact the people stereotype other people just maybe to make themselves feel better, but they are always going to be around and that is something we have to deal with." Jake Tusing demonstrated that no one should give up even if no one knows who you are. His message to all the fans out there is that society needs to get away from stereotypes and that people can't be afraid of who they are.

In high school, I was always known as a well-rounded individual because I just never really had a clique. I had a little bit of everything. I was a "Geek" because I was captain of the debate team. I was well-known because I was in the Student Government. I was a "Rebel" because I liked to think outside the box. People at my school had their cliques and I was not exclusively part of any of them because I wanted to live a life filled of decisions that I ultimately made on my own.

Those who attended the screening of "American Teen" at the L.A. Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, left with a reality check. With applauds and cheers, I can honestly say that "American Teen" was a success at the L.A. Film Festival.