LFTVD Codes and Conventions

Name of Set Product = Stranger Things

How does the opening to the drama start?What can I see/ what can I hear? 

• The scene starts with a scientist running away from something with alarms in the background, flashing lights and panic. The scientist gets taken by presumably a monster.

Are title credits used? How are they integrated into the sequence? Can I see the Drama’s title, who produced and owns the drama?

• The title is introduced between the scenes presenting the makers etc. and the name is shown at the end of the title sequence finishing with ‘created by The Duffer brother.’

What and who are we introduced to? Characters, locations and settings? Are these recognisable? Do they feel ‘real’?

• We are introduced to the four main boys in an American Suburban town. They are playing Dungeons and Dragons therefore are nerdy characters. They are your typical geeks with typical families.

What themes are introduced? Family, friendship, love, money, revenge, community etc…?

• The theme of the supernatural is introduced as we see in the first scene where the scientist gets taken. Also Will is being chased by a monster figure resulting in him vanishing.

Is a story or plot set up in the opening episode? What do I understand is happening and how do I know?

• The opening episode introduces us to the characters, what they are like, their relationships etc. We begin seeing the stories unfold but are still unsure how they connect by the end of the episode. 

What does the drama look like? Frequent camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scène devices used?

• The drama is filled with many twists and turns, chases, supernatural features, plot twists. Such as the shooting of Benny, the search for Will etc. There is a lot of content crammed into just one episode. 

- The opening to my chosen long form TV drama begins with a scientist being chased by something which eventually takes him.
- The title credits used are Stranger Things: Chapter one – The vanishing of Will Byers.
- The characters introduced are Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Nancy, Hopper, Mike’s family, scientist, Joyce, Jonathan
- The locations and in my chosen drama are Hawkins Indiana, Suburban town, The department of energy, Suburban houses, woods
- The main themes introduced are the supernatural, teenagers, family, police, good vs bad, the 80s

- The most common uses of camerawork in the opening are slow pans to emphasize the action but also the mystery.
- Some of the typical editing devices used in my chosen drama include quick cuts which makes it more exciting to watch and scarier when there are jump scares.
- The use of mise-en-scene helps to gives us a sense of the time era (I.e. the 80s)
- The use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound helps to show the supernatural (E.g. the sound of the monster).

1.         How are the formal codes and conventions used in the set product to help the audience recognize the episode as a long form TV drama?

• The first episode of stranger Things opens up this new world and introduces many different narrative story line strands which aren't resolved fully by the end of the first episode meaning that as the series continues, we will get to follow it and see how it ends. By the end of the first episode we are left with enigmas meaning we want to find out more. We also are still unsure of how all the different strands connect and if they all link. 

2.         What are the main similarities and/or differences in the conventions used by the set product compared to other long form dramas? What reasons can you give for this?

• Similar to other long form dramas, we are introduced to the main characters that we will be following throughout the whole series. We are introduced to them straight away so that we can find one of them to connect with which will entice us to follow their journey through the series. 

3.         How does the set product contribute to changes or developments within the form? 

• In the very first episode of Stranger Things, we see many twists and turns within the story line which shocks us. For example, we don't expect Benny to get shot therefore we are shocked when he is because it isn't what we expect to happen. Throughout the episode we see the main characters begin to develop as they go through the initial emotions of loosing Will. Therefore we see the development of their relationship as they all get closer to help each other through the process of loosing Will. 

4.         What do you think is the appeal of this drama for audiences? How will it help to popularize (make popular) long form TV dramas with audiences?

• The main appeal of the drama is all of the references and intertextuality to 80s movies. We see the nostalgia and zeitgeist of the time through the characters and story lines. We also connect with characters on a deeper level as there is a variety of personalities so there is at least one character that the audience can connect with. The storylines are interesting and cause enigmas in the audiences making them intrigued in what will happen next.