Deutschland 83 Notes

Stranger Things essay

How are different social groups represented in the sequence you have analysed? What role does the use of media language, signs and signifiers have in constructing and presenting these representations as real? 500 words

The opening scene of Stranger Things focuses on a scientist running away, distress of scene is aided from alarms and flickering low key lighting, in a futuristic/industrial corridor. A typical scientist stereotype is used. Lack of muscular definition, poor hygiene. Costume shows him in a lab coat which instantly indicates the character being a scientist which is necessary in this scene due to no dialect being spoken. The tension and panic is presented well through the sounds, lighting and movement of character. The reality of the threat is shown with the alienated noises. character being raised off of floor shows that the threat is ‘real’. Due to it being science fiction and the alien is one of imagination it retracts from it having realistic characteristics. This is supported by the unknown being not being shown. This makes the audience not believe it exists. On the other hand, it spikes one’s imagination to allow them to build a picture of the unknown being… This can cause more fear to be struck into the viewer. This reality is also supported through camera, editing, sound and mise en scene. Low key lighting supported by flickering light. adds distress and a ‘beat’ which accompanies the pace of which the scientist is running. Low tracking shot of feet indicates to the audience how scared the scientist is as he is running at a fast pace. Multiple shot of a close up of the scientist clicking the elevator once again reinforces the urgency of leaving. Sets pace in the scene link to footsteps. Long shot of corridor, prolonged shot… no true subject. This strikes anticipation into the audience, creates expectations and put audience ‘on edge’ In the elevator there is an alienated purr, these sounds are typical with the sci-fi genre. This makes it more relatable with the viewer, creating a more anticipation and tension.

Further divide between social groups is shown through Dustin and Nancy. This shot is showing Dustin offering Nancy Wheeler the final slice of pizza. Nancy's response to this is to shut the door on Dustin. This shows that the feelings in this relationship are not mutual. Older teenagers are typical to resent and refrain from interaction of youngers. Interaction with youngsters is has negative connotations, the divide of the age is considered a ‘crime’ if they are communicating etc. Nancy is conforming to the stereotype of someone of her age. Removing herself from her family to be in her room, in this case, talking to her boyfriend.

This resent given to younger people from older teenagers is typical to everyday life for the viewers. This activity happens frequently in society, especially in school. Over the shoulder shot of Dustin, showing Nancy on the bed talking to Steve. This shows both sides of the conversation with one shot. It also shows the distance between characters. the physical distance collates to the emotional standpoint within their relationship.

Stranger things Fandom Prodcuts

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nTZ7wdpzh5S8adl2rwZXtR2cPDnzaLSp7qp72H3-NqI/edit?usp=sharing

Stranger Things Industry Research

LFTVD Scene by scene (screen grabs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdpSNg4BOGyp3irWEv0H0P7Aaw0Ke8_SnKOq9v9Zyr8/edit?usp=sharing

LFTVD Scene Rep Social groups etc

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MauN460pXqH-LMqeqWCeWUM2b5xOl-B5wFyii02YQ5c/edit?usp=sharing

Long form PPT

Long form tv drama conventions

• LFTVD tend to be more 'cinematic' 
• Stranger things has excessive amounts of detail=high production values= high lelvel of verislimude-appriciated by the audience. 
• "Flow" one chapter flows into the next - makes it easy to binge watch 
• Submersive world that provides escapism 
• Less traditional storytelling structure with unexpected twists 
• encourages audiences to respont with their own take part. 
• Enters culteral parlance and embeds into cultures - become a text in intertexuality itself post modernism 

• LFTVD subverts traditional storylines 
• no more sterotypes 
• characters change

What does a tv drama need to have? 

• various locations 
• stock characters 
• multiple narratives 
• 1hr episodes
• dramatic cliff hangers 
• high production values

Long form Tv drama Audiences

Audience:

Rise of binge- watching started with DVD's in the late 90's with box sets being released.

Long form tv drama is becoming more popular than film due the multi stranded narrative, lots of side stories which is possible to follow due to many hours of watching.

Fandom is where audiences will advertise the programme, this can be done on social media etc

Why do audiences love LFTVD?

• High quality drama
• Multiple episodes, hours, years
• Content can be dark and difficult but innovative
• It now attracts some of the best and innovative writers and actors
• Time shifting, easily accessible
• Why do you love LFTVD?
• High production

Audiences become invested in the show and want to follow theses characters through the good and bad content. The suprise and suspense draws the reader in.

The rise of online streaming services and allows for the popularity to increase, due to people being able to watch the shows whenever they want at whatvever time suits. (timeshifting)

LFTVD vs Film

• More to watch 
• pleasure over production

Research: Buffy the vampire slayer, 24, catastrophe. 

1. what are the popular genres within the form. 
2. What are the themes introduced
3. narrative structure and storylines 
4. character types 
5. Visula style and production values: camerawork, editing, sound, mise-en-scene. 
6. methods and platforms for viewing long form tv dramaas. 
7. Culteral zeitgeist? 
8. Memes, accessories? 

Buffy the vampire slayer

Genre: 

Occulnt fiction

horror fiction 

drama

Dark Fantasy 

Action fiction 

Themes: 

Love

action 

heros work better together 

The wicked can be redemed 

Narative structure: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon, which aired from 1997–2003. It featured the exploits of the Slayer, Buffy Summers and her group of friends, the Scooby Gang, as they protected Sunnydale from vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness.

Characters: 

There are at least 20 characters in series. 

• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers (Seasons 1-7) 144 episodes.
• Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris (Seasons 1-7) 143 episodes.
• Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg (Seasons 1-7) 144 episodes.
• Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase (Seasons 1-3) 54 episodes

Where can you view it? 

Box set dvd
youtube on demand
google play





24

Genre: 

Serial
drama
crime 
mystery 
adventure 

Themes:

crime
mystery
adventure

Narative structure:

1 hour time period for each episode. Real time, no skips in time. Each episode is 1 hour long. Crime solving, each episode has a dedicated story with a larger overhanging narative to connect them together

Characters:

At least 16 characters

Jack Baurer
Kim Baurer
Tony Almedia
David Palmer

Where can you view it?  

Youtube on demand
Google play 



Catashtophe

Genre: 
Sitcom

Narative: 

Catastrophe is a British television sitcom first broadcast on 19 January 2015 on Channel 4. It is created, written by, and stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, who portray single people who become a couple after she unexpectedly becomes pregnant following a fling while he is visiting London on a business trip.

Characters: