One of the most vital roles of a screenwriter is to entertain a specified audience. Since I am crafting a comedy in highschool setting, adults conventionally believe that the story is not for them. I've noticed all adult comedies revolve around adult characters; I don't understand how to make an adult comedy about teenagers (I can't reveal my story idea, sorry).

How do I show that the script is actually more designated for adults rather than teenagers?

there's a movie called chumbscrubber that's about teenagers and it was made for adults, it was pretty good, you may wanna take a look at that one.

Just make the movie however you want to and if it turns out that the film doesn't need to be seen by teenagers, so be it. But you can't always think "ok, I've gotta make sure I'm doing this this way so adults will like it."

Make the film intended for yourself, that way you don't worry about anything other than what you want to see on the screen.

Leave out all the cliches of teen comedies:  sex, wild parties and farting.  You can still have a comedy about serious teen issues.


Phil

This brings to mind the Shrek movies -- obviously intended for children but there's enough subtle and sly stuff in there for the adults to have a great time, too.  

Kids movies, nowadays, need to appeal to the adults.  After all, the kids aren't going unless Mommy and Daddy take them.  Otherwise, they'll wait for the DVD.  Compare Shrek to Spy Kids....


Phil

Thank you, everyone. That really helped!