KEY FOR LFTVD ANALYSIS: PESATA

Point
Evidence
Specific
Analysis
Theory/ terminology  
Answer the question

LFTVD 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?

In Stranger Things, teenagers play a big role in the story line. The social group of teenagers are represented strongly throughout ST and are the general basis for the serial. The episode follows the story of four pre-teen boys, Mike, Will, Dustin and Luke, playing dungeons and dragons in the basement, which contrasts to the older teenagers, Nancy, Steve and Jonathon, who all have their own stereotypes in which they support. The four pre-teens are represented as nerdy and pubescent in the second scene of episode one. Media language plays a significant role in allowing the audience to create this representation of the boys through the use of mise-en-scene. The boys are all wearing clothing typical to the age ST is set, the 80s, giving the episode a cultural zeitgeist, and have a real passion for the game they are playing, one that doesn’t appear to be played by the rest of the characters or teenagers, evidently setting the boys aside as young and naïve. The boys use derogatory terms to one another, such as “pussy”, which further communicates their age, as this type of language is not used by other characters in the first episode as well as signifying a close comradery between the characters. In addition, the use of the word “pussy”, used by Luke, could support a stereotypical representation of the social group of teenagers as offensive to one another, yet as we see later on the episode, they actually support a representation of teenagers as loyal and faithful to each other as they drive the force to find Will.

In addition, the older teenagers support stereotypes that appear to be attached to their age bracket. For example, in the scene with Steve and Nancy, Steve is presented as a charming, promiscuous character, which is shown through the kissing scenes with Nancy and when she reels off all the girls he has been with in the past. This could support a stereotypical representation of popular teenage boys as sex-driven and riddled with libido. This is then contrasted with the representation of Nancy who holds a ‘girl-next-door’ narrative as we see her find her way out of chastity with Steve. This is supported by her clothing as very neat and proper along with her hair purposefully clipped back, giving her an overall sweet and innocent representation. Both Steve and Nancy’s are represented differently between themselves and once again differ from other characters of the same age, like Jonathon, showing an adverse range of character types under the umbrella of 'teenagers'. All of these characters when considered together create a varied representation of teenagers and creates typical stereotypes that the audience can easily identify with as they have seen them many times before.

Furthermore, a representation of the social group of single mothers is showed evidently within the first episode. Will’s mother, Joyce, is one of the most important characters within the serial and a huge part of the main story line. We jump to her point of view often through episode one and follow her journey through finding her son. Joyce is represented in many different ways in episode one and we see a distinct contrast. At the beginning of episode 1, she is presented as a flustered and disorganised and we see Jonathon cooking breakfast for himself and his younger brother, which also shows a countertype of teenagers as caring and considerate. Joyce’s house appears to be cluttered and messy, supporting her disorganised stereotype, as she looks for her keys. However, it is evident that she wasn’t always like this as we see part of the fragmented narrative of flashback to a year earlier where the lighting is much brighter showing better times at Castle Byers, which contrasts to the present day, where it is grey and gloomy, showing pathetic fallacy. We then see another representation of Joyce as strong-willed and determined to find her son. Joyce is presented as loving and to have an unconditional love for her two boys. This therefore creates an ameliorative representation in the end for Joyce and single mothers and we venture through seeing her stressed and disorganised to a caring and determined woman, who is fighting for her son’s freedom.

Stranger Things 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

Stranger Things Scene Representation

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cIgPCChMGMyrf2bl85u-gFB-VpjNy79kdA4Gy6eZGcg/edit?usp=sharing

Narratives

Stranger Things Timings

LFTVD Codes and Conventions OCR document

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lnEwWc-WK8_khx3IwLfuHOPIHjzIUqXo/view?usp=sharing

Narrative

Narrative is a structure/ chain of events in which a story is told. They are carefully considered when writing the screenplay and visually achieved through the editing of different shots. The narrative structure chosen directly affects how the audience experiences the story The story can provide certain messages and values It affects the audience's involvement and enjoyment LFTVD = complex, multiple narrative strands

 Narrative Structure

 Linear narrative- clear beginning, middle and end, chronological, A->B->C

 Fragmented narrative- non-linear, disjointed, no clear beginning, middle and end, C->B->A, shows parallel stories, closely replicate the way that human mind works and the audience has to try harder

 E.g. Stranger Things employs a fragmented narrative because right from the start we witness multiple parallel plot lines such as the laboratory, Eleven and the boys. We also see a non-chronological narrative strand in the flashback to Joyce and Will's conversation in Castle Byers. The fragmented narrative creates enigmas or questions for the audience, who have to work to figure out the connection, therefore ensuring greater audience engagement

Narrative Types 

Restricted narrative - we experience the story through the senses and thoughts of just one character- the protagonist, narrative cannot tell the audience things the main character does not know

Omnipresent - a panoramic, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one characters point of view, helps audience see a broader background, there is a number of contexts

E.g. The omnipresent narrative provides multiple gratifications for the audience, we can emphasize and identify with some characters, while gaining escapism and mystery from others

Narrative Endings 

Closed endings - one character's story which comes to a resolution at the end of the episode. Following ep. has a new story

Open endings - ends on a cliff hangers, story-telling technique, can be unsatisfying, encourages viewer to continue watching the serial

Theory

Todorov- Equilibrium theory 

1. Exposition -> 2. Introduction of conflict -> 3. Climax -> Resolution 

Strauss- Binary Opposites 

We understand the world by the relationship that two opposites have together. Narratives are arranged around the conflict of binary opposites e.g. hot and cold, old and young 

Stranger Things Scene By Scene Analysis

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sxIUCvEiLLUYktlxKZykRxhcdqfbHvSq/view?usp=sharing

Character Representations

More representations:

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.

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. 

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.

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 story line 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.

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.

Stranger Things Poster Analysis