The term “coming-of-age” describes a type of story that focuses on the development of the main character or group of characters. These characters are usually young, yet on the cusp of adulthood. The coming-of-age story details an emotional journey a character must take in order to grow and mature towards adult hood.
Rushmore, a screenplay by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson, tells the story of Max Fischer’s coming-of-age. Using Rushmore as an example, a screenwriter can see that the basic process of telling a coming-of-age story is this: establish an emotionally immature mindset, tear it down, then build a new, more mature mindset.
