A Taste of Teenology
Watch the film online
The live version of Teenology took place in July 2008. The performance comprised of three large back projection screens and a series of live monologues delivered by the young people at various intervals throughout the performance. A long white table was set in front of the screens, where the young people performed tasks associated with teenage behavior. This film has been re-edited to include the live monologues and retains the original triptych form of the live production.
Teenology was a participative arts and media project for young people, exploring the science of adolescence and the reasons behind some of the physical, emotional and behavioural changes we experience as teenagers.
Everyone knows about the deluge of hormones during puberty, which affects body shape, sex drive and causes hair to sprout in unfamiliar places, but hormones can also be responsible for certain aspects of teenage behaviour – risk taking, conflict, stress and even long lie-ins. Yet, how much do hormones have to answer for and how much is down to the significant changes taking place in the teenage brain?
“I could not leave Teenology with just a round of applause. The professional standard of your presentation was outstanding. I have seen various presentations over the years about teenage life and frankly – none came close to yours. I found many parts to be really funny and yet you balanced that with a moving message that struck home to me. I hope that the production can be kept for future use in some format”
Funded by the Wellcome Trust and produced by The Rural Media Company, Teenology explored the science of adolescence through a multi-media performance that used film, photography, music and graphics. The young people’s production team at St Mary’s High School not only discovered some of the reasons behind some of the physical, emotional and behavioural changes we experience as teenagers, but also how to explore these ideas through the media arts in a 3-month production process.
The project also benefited from the input of leading international scientists and broadcasters who specialise in this field. The prestigious panel of experts took part in a webcast debate which was watched by young people from across the West Midlands. The panel was chaired by Vivienne Parry, ex-presenter of Tomorrow’s World and writer and broadcaster on Panorama, Radio Four, Five Live, News of the World, The Times and The Guardian and author of the book The Truth about Hormones. She was be joined by Dr Sarah Jayne Blakemore, who currently holds the Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellowship at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, and was named by The Observer as one of the top 80 prodigiously talented young people who ‘will shape our lives in the early 21st century’ and Dr Helena Gleeson, who specialises in hormones and young people from Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
A core group of 20 Science College students developed Teenology working with film makers and a set designer. The science was brought to life through film and using a variety of drama, humour, testimony and animation.Teenology was performed 21 times in July 2008 to over 700 people!
