Industry Presentations

Circulation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RDBwl4DcrSHPSEI3e_-kY4B-Kym7_Sv9t76ceN5_rHo/edit?usp=sharing


Production:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hPOdOLhCoMXUMpyvVQj5BqzCWgECtAtC1casZ3Nv6iQ/edit?usp=sharing


Ownership:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WcOZORCu8fFKySiAlzXFDJ8EZIe26SJyc9ijsDJm8p4/edit?usp=sharing


Distribution:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-1c6Ikuopbl7ItwvhWcHWAQfXHM3uzCAurdBLl_Wb08/edit?usp=sharing

Representation Essay Question Homework

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?

There are multiple social groups presented in episode one of Stranger Things including; mothers, teenagers and government. They are all represented through different ways of media language, which presents them in different ways. 

Looking at the social group of teenagers, there are multiple signs which show that they are teenagers, in the 1980s. The first, the bikes which they boys all own. The bikes are first just perceived as an object but looking further into this you can see that the boys depend on their bikes significantly. This connotes to the audience that the boys are quite mature as it shows their independence and their maturity, as they are able to make decisions which are important, especially when it comes to helping to find Will. The light on the bike is bright, which could relate to the idea that the children are intelligent, like a light bulb idea. Overall, teenagers are presented as mature within the first episode, as with signs such as bikes and their ability to create a dungeon and dragons’ game which lasts for ten hours, shows their intellect and concentration. When the boys go outside to cycle home from Mikes house, the flickering porch light continues the theme of bright lights, and the dark scene against this creates tension for the audience. When Mike see’s this he seems to be scared of this when he runs inside, which shows the representation of a typical teenager who is scared of the dark.

Another social group which can be presented in episode one is the police force and government. The government science lab is identifiable immediately as the first character that you see is a scientist in which you know this as he is wearing a lab coat. This connotes as he a scientist to the audience as he is wearing a stereotypical outfit for this, which also shows that he must be intelligence as you need to be clever in order to be a government scientist. The direct mode of address used shows that the audience are level with him. The use of this along with the bright flashing lights, which also links to the lights on the boy’s bikes which can hint at intelligence and also danger, show that something is wrong. When the monster takes the scientist, it connotes to the audience that something bad is happening and the use of loud noise and flashing lights makes this more tense making the audience want to continue watching. The police in the first episode however, are represented opposingly to the government scientist. In the first scene of when Hopper walks into the station and meets with his co-workers, Hopper is at a different level to them which makes him look on a higher platform to them, which shows the audience that he is the Sheriff and they are general police officers. This makes the representation seem real to the audience as it is typical that there is officer who is of higher power. The use of looking up to Hopper shows the audience that he is an important character, and when constructing the scene the producers do this in order to present the social group as having platforms. 

Stranger Things Timing Narrative

Stranger Things Narrative Task

Stranger Things Representations Paragraphs

Teenagers:

In Stranger Things, teenagers play a big role in the story. Firstly, there are the main group of boys; Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin. These are the boys who continue the story and are the main basis of it. Also, Jonathan, Barb, Nancy and Steve are a slightly older group of teenagers, who have their own storyline within the story. The role of teenagers is important in the show as they show the difference between them and their parents. The teenagers being able to solve problems, show to the viewers that they are able to do the same thing as adults. There are examples of the teenagers acting as adults, for example Jonathan has stepped up and acts as the man of the house as their dad doesn’t live with them, so Jonathan is in charge of looking after Will, and also has to work in order for them to be able to afford their house etc.

Family Life and Relationships:

Relationships is a very important aspect in Stranger Things. Not only romantically, but also friend relationships. Without the friendship shown in the series, they would not be able to discover what has happened to Will. Friendship is used to show that sticking together can be used as a strength in order to save Will. Family life is also a very prominent theme within the first episode. Families are created within the series, not only by blood but with strong friendship bonds. Family life is highlighted when eleven is abandoned and has no family to look after her. She is taken in by Mike and he and the boys become a family to her as she has no one else.

Mothers:

Wills mum is one of the most important characters as she is a huge part of the main storyline. The theme of mothers is shown almost entirely the way through between Will and his mother when he goes missing and she goes through anything to get him back. Joyce is presented at the beginning as a careless mother, however as the episode progresses you see that she cares deeply for her children. The theme of mothers is important as they are often represented as being weak and soft. In Stranger Things, especially the first episode, you see a countertype of this immediately from Wills mother. As a single, working class mother she shows that she is strong willed and focused on finding her son, she doesn’t come across as weak, and she shows this through her actions when searching for him. 

Absent Fathers:

This is an important theme as it is represented by several characters. Firstly, from the first scene of Joyce and Jonathan when they realise that Will is missing, you can see straight away that there is no father figure in the house. This is important when it comes to searching for Will, as when Hopper queries if Will could be with his dad, Joyce is confident that he won’t be there as he has no part in Wills life, as Jonathan is the father figure for Will. The other main way this is shown is through eleven. Although she knows her father (‘papa’), he is not acting as a proper father figure towards him. He is keeping her locked up like an experiment, even though she persists to call him papa. Finally, Mikes dad shows absenteeism even though he is present in his day to day life. He shows lack of care and consideration to his children.

Police:

Police is a key theme. One of the main characters, Hopper, is the police sheriff. Hopper begins as a stereotypical police man, however as his concern grows for Will, he turns into a countertype of a policeman going above and beyond for his job. Police are important in this as they usually work for the government, where as they work against the government as they are the bad people. Without the police Will would not have been able to be found.

Government:

In the first episode of Stranger Things, the government is a main theme. This is shown straight away as the first character to be shown is from the Governments lab. The government have control over everybody, and this is shown when the lady from the government shoots Benny when looking for eleven.

LFTVD Forms And Conventions

Stranger Things - Scene By Scene Episode 1

Stranger Things Character Anaylisis

80s Film Research - Duffer Brothers

Jaws 2:

Stranger things play homage to Jaws 2. The monster in stranger things is similar to the shark, as the big mouth and teeth are used when trying to attack the characters. Throughout the film the monster is trying to capture children, alike to jaws which keeps trying to kill people, and another similarity was that the boys in Stranger Things are constantly trying to capture the monster, and similarly in Jaws they are trying to kill the shark so that it cannot kill anyone else.

The Goonies:     

Stranger things also play homage to the goonies. The goonies use 80s themes, the bikes and the girl with glasses. Stranger things also have these things. They set stranger things in 80’s suburbia, and alike to this so is the goonies. The story line of the goonies is that they are on a quest to find treasure, and in stranger things they are on a quest to get their friends back. However, the main similarity is that in both films there are a group of boys who are the main characters.

E.T:

Stranger things play homage to ET in several ways. Firstly, trying to disguise the person with super powers in clothes and a wig to make them seem innocent and to hide them from being discovered. The most prominent homage however, is the use of the bikes and bright lights. In ET they use bikes to fly through the air and to travel around, and in stranger things they also use bikes as their main way to travel. The bright lights on the front of the bike and classic 1980s bikes are very similar in both, and they are a main theme.

Stranger Things Poster Annotations:

 -With the amount of characters shown on the poster, it shows that there will be multiple storylines. This also suggests that they are the main characters so the audience will be seeing a lot of them and get to know them if they watch the series. 

- The characters at the top of the poster look scared and are positioned so that it looks like they are hiding behind another person. This suggests that maybe throughout the series, there may be something that may threaten them. 

- The use of the stars in the sky connote space and the sci fi genre. This shows that the series may contain some typical sci-fi conventions such as the supernatural, monsters etc. The night also connotes eeriness. 

- The character in the middle of the poster is shown to be slightly bigger showing that she may be significant throughout the series. This could also be connoted as she is positioned in the centre. The other characters are seen to surround her suggesting that they may be protecting her. This is reinforced by one of the characters holding a weapon - the baseball bat. 

- The title shown on the poster connotes a retro vine as it is written almost like a neon sign which could reference the 80s. This could suggest that the series may be set within this time period. This is reinforced by the clothing. The writing of the title also resembles that of a Stephen king film showing that there may be some intertextuality taken from some of his work. 

- There is much intertextuality shown between the poster and ET with the use of the bikes and the moon. 

LFTVD Vocab:

Easter Eggs: Hidden message or image.

Time shifting: Available to watch whenever you want to.

VOD: an stream content through either a set-top box, a computer or other device, allowing viewing in real time, or download it to a device such as a computer.

PVR: A personal video recorder is an interactive TV recording device.

Streaming: A user does not have to wait to download a file to play it. Because the media is sent in a continuous stream of data it can play as it arrives.

Terrestrial: a type of television broadcasting in which the television signal is transmitted by radio waves.

Long Form Tv Drama Notes

Overview
The series is set in 1983 surrounding the story of a group who kids searching for their missing friend. Along the way, they meet an unusual girl with supernatural powers. Throughout the series, they u unravel extraordinary mysteries surrounding their small town including government secrets, supernatural forces and Eleven, a girl with powers.

- The 1st season had 8 episodes, costing $6 million per episode.
- The show was created by the Duffer brothers (Twins). Ross and Matt (Born in the 90s)
- The show pays homage to E.T
- It debuted in July 2016
- represents 1980s nostalgia
- The shows resembles many other 80s films such as Gremlins, the Goonies, Ghostbuster etc.
- Winona Ryder, a famous 80s actress, plays Will's mother. This further links the show to the 80s
- The show increased in marketing through online buzz and fan artwork.
- It was also the little things in the background of scenes that referenced the 80s. E.g. Trapper Keeper
- When looking for a broadcaster/platform, the show was rejected by most mainstream.
- Netflix accepted as they were known as 'rebels' showing TV that was risky and different.
- The 1st series finished with unresolved issued meaning that they could be resolved in the 2nd series.
- Series 2 was set in 1984 and focused on the theme of video games whereas the first was boardgames
- The show references the work of Stephen Spielberg and Stephen King (Who liked the show)
- The show contained weaponized intertextuality due to fan service
- Stranger Things is a Pastiche (Opposite of parody)
- The character Eleven is compared to the characters E.T., Carrie and the girl from fire starter
- Creative misprison is used.

Exam Timings

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