Stranger Things Intertextuality (etc...)
Stranger things
Both films have a scene where the kids are on a bike
Both films include aliens
Stranger things: Age analysis
In the first clip of stranger things, the representation of age is shown through camera shots to show the stereotype of adults. A low angled shot was used where the adult (mum) was on the top of the stair and the children were at the bottom of them. The viewer was looking up at the adult with the children to the child's perspective. This shot was used to symbolize the authority and power of the adult. Over the shoulder shots were also used to show the child in between the adults (His mother and his father), this also shows the adults dominance over the children. The boy tries to ask his dad something but he tells him to 'listen to his mother' The mother/adults are also being responsible, as they send the kids home when it gets too late.
In the second clip we watched the adults were represented differently from the adults in the first clip. The adult stereotype of being organised and responsible was presented differently in this scene, as the Sheriff was unorganized and was living alone, this is shown through a zoom in shot, the director does this to show that he isn't coping well on his own. This shot also goes over alcohol, to show that that is his coping mechanism for his loneliness. The director also uses the background sound of the television playing. He uses this to show that the character is forgetful, and also to show that
The stereotype of teenagers was also shown in the beginning of this clip, as the teenager was sitting on her bed on the phone with her friend. The long dietetic conversation about boys is also shown in this clip. They show this all with a point of view shot, as the viewer is watching it from the boy’s point of view. The teenager is again stereotyped as being 'rude' as she shut the door in the boy’s face, he later comments on it by saying that she was 'no fun anymore' and 'there's something wrong with your sister'.
In the first scene of the clip the children were gathered around a table in the basement playing a board game. The stereotype of children being noisy was shown when there were banging sounds to imitate the 'Demogorgon' walking. It changes from the kids saying 'boom' to actual sounds being made through editing. Over the shoulder camera shots were used to show the dialogue between each of the people. The stereotype of children having bad language was also shown, as they were using casual dialogue throughout the scene and they were also using profanity, which they were talking to each other with. Towards the end of the scene there was a tracking shot, as the boys rode their 80's style bikes home, the camera shot was used to show that they were leaving
Stranger things (Preliminary research)
The production companies are:
- 21 Laps Entertainment
- Monkey Massacre
The writers are:
- Matt Duffer
- Ross Duffer
- And (Justin Doble)
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| (Matt and Ross Duffer) |
Directed by:
- Matt Duffer
- Ross Duffer
- Shawn Levy
- Andrew Stanton
- Rebecca Thomas
Reviews:
Social media presence:
On twitter the show has 864K followers.
Awards the show and actors have won:
Main Cast:
 | Winona Ryder |
Joyce Byers (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | David Harbour |
Jim Hopper (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Finn Wolfhard |
Mike Wheeler (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Millie Bobby Brown |
Eleven (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Gaten Matarazzo |
Dustin Henderson (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Caleb McLaughlin |
Lucas Sinclair (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
|
 | Natalia Dyer |
Nancy Wheeler (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Charlie Heaton |
Jonathan Byers (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
|
 | Cara Buono |
Karen Wheeler (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
|
 | Joe Keery |
Steve Harrington (17 episodes, 2016-2017)
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 | Noah Schnapp |
1. What are the formal codes and conventions of Long-Form TV Drama?
- Dramatic narrative (storyline)
- Ensemble cast (each character – own storyline)
- Multiple sub-plots that go into the main plot, throughout the series.
- Main plot is usually resolved within the season however
- Expressive lighting techniques dependent on sub genre
- High production value sound/emotive
- Scheduled Prime Time
2. How similar or different are the formal conventions used in Stranger Things?
Stranger Things adheres to most of the conventions above however due to the platform of Netflix the show does not have a Prime time slot on TV. The show was instead released all in one, possibly to encourage 'binge-watching' from their audiences. The dramatic narrative is illustrated through the disappearance of Will Byers. Along with this, there are multiple sub-plots regarding Eleven, Hopper, Nacy and Steve which are to be resolved later in the series. The lighting, character and general mise en scene relates closely to the zeitgeist atmosphere of the 80s. The high production of the drama is presented through the large budget presented through CGI and mise en scene. This in enforced through the title sequence that uses multiple graphics and an 80s style.
3. How does this help to develop the genre and the way in which audiences respond (positively or negatively) to long form TV dramas?
The genres of the set texts for example, Stranger Things as a Science Fiction/Horror hybrid genre drama or Deutschland 83 as a Spy Thriller genre drama. 3. How does this help to develop the genre and the way in which audiences respond (positively or negatively) to long form TV dramas? The genres of the set texts for example, Stranger Things as a Science Fiction/Horror hybrid genre drama or Deutschland 83 as a Spy Thriller genre drama.
4. What codes and conventions are used to help audiences recognise their genre?
Through use of the unrevealed and unnamed monster the horror genre is presented at the start of the episode as the establishing and tracking shots build up the tension as the monster chases the scientist. Horror narratives are unsettling and made to frighten and panic their audience but entertain them at the same time. Different forms have different codes and conventions that separate them into genres and sub- genres but most horror narratives have similar codes and conventions and specific symbols to make up the narratives iconography which allows the audience to identify the genre.
Stranger Things also features elements of the sci-fi in the drama narrative due to the themes of government conspiracies and secrecy involving the extra-terrestrial. The sci-fi genre incorporates hypothetical and science based themes into the plot of the narrative. The genre often includes futuristic elements and technologies to explore social, political, and philosophical issues. The generic convention of sci-fi incorporates heroes, villains, quest, advanced technology and unfamiliar locations. The genre is also supposed to be set in a futuristic or apocalyptic environment however stranger things is set during the 80s.
5. How may of these set products contribute to changes or developments within the genre in their current form?
6. What similarities and/or differences are there between the genres in Stranger Things? How do these help to popularise the form?
Ensure you complete the questions please.
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