ST essay 15/02/2019

The series being studied is 'Stranger Things' a long form TV drama (LFTVD). From the series, I am analyzing season 1, episode 1 and the sequence is from '37:58 minutes' to the end of the episode.

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Media Essay- ST

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?

Throughout the long form TV drama, Stranger Things, the teenage boys play a large role in the story line. The social group ‘Teenagers’ are represented strongly throughout the show and are the basis for the series. The opening episode follows the story of the four pre-teen boys, Mike, Dustin, Will and Lucas, playing dungeons and dragons, an action/ adventure game played by the boys in Mike’s basement, in marked contrast to the other teens, Nancy, Jonathon and Steve who all fit their stereotypes. The four boys are represented as nerdy, smart and excitable pre-pubescent pre-teens. Media language has a significant role as it allows the audience to create a representation of the four friends (Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin) through the use of mise-en-scene. The boys are wearing mostly typical set to the era ST is set around, the 1980’s, allowing the episode a cultural zeitgeist, and have a real passion of the game (Dungeons and Dragons), one that doesn’t appear to be a common game played by other ‘typical’ teens, clearly shifting the audiences idea of the boys of being typical teens as young and naive but sophisticated as the game took Mike “ 2 days to set up” and it was a “10 hour” campaign. The boys use derogative language such as “pussy” to one another, which reinforces their age to the audience, as this sort of language is commonly used by pre-teens but also is not used by other characters in the first episode. As well as this, the use of the word “pussy”, used by Lucas, supports the stereotypical representation of the social group ‘Teens’ as derogative language often gets used by teens and pre-teens when surrounded by similar characters to themselves as they feel a sense of power in using such language. However, later on in the episode we see the boys again they support the representation of their social group as they are seen as loyal, caring friends searching for Will and are some of the main characters forcing the search for Will Byers.

Another social group that is represented in the first episode of ST, is the police force. The police force is shown as typically lazy, useless and unhelpful, shown through the use of props and setting that can indicate this to the audience. For example, we see Hopper turn up late to work, then moves onto eating a donut whilst his colleagues play card games around him, reinforcing the social stereotype of police force being lazy and laid back. This is shown through the slow pan of the camera to portray a calm and laid-back environment contradicted by the job role of the characters being shown, and that ‘nothing serious’ happens in Hawkins. These stereotypical features of police can be seen in many other programmes and films such as the Simpsons and has intertextuality with the famous donut in the Simpsons and the donut that Hopper is seen eating in the first episode. This constructed representation is encoded into the episode so audiences can quickly see and understand what sort of characters we will be dealing with. Overall helping the relatability of them which will then allow the audience to connect more with them as they feel a connection and that they can relate to them too.

Narrative

Narrative-Is a structure or chain of events in which a story is told.

Its carefully considered when writing screenplay for a drama which is then visually achieved through the editing of different shots put together.

Why is narrative important?

• Narrative provides a structure chosen to directly affect how the audience experiences the story.
• The way the story is told can provide certain messages and values about who we see and what is being said. 
• It can affect the audiences involvement with and the enjoyment of the drama.
• Narrative in LFTVD is complex with multiple narrative strands and story lines. 

Types of narrative structure 

Linear narrative - a clear beginning, middle and end. Chronological time frame. Action A leads to action B etc.

Fragmented Narrative (non-linear) - a disrupted or disjointed time lapse. Events/actions shown out of chronological order. This narrative technique is used to help show parallel (supernatural) worlds which can also closely replicate the ways in which the human mind works. Audience participation to try and piece together the story themselves which makes it more interactive. 

Narrative structure answer example

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 are also provided with a non-chronological narrative strand in the flashback to Joyce and Wills conversation in castle Byers. The fragmented narrative is an enigma and questions for the audience, who have to work to figure out the connection, therefore ensuring greater audience engagement within the episode.  

Types of narrative

Restricted narrative - We as an audience experience the sense and thoughts of just one character (always mostly just focused on the protagonists story line). Narrative cannot tell the audience things that the main character does not know. 

Omnipresent narrative - A panoramic, view of the world not just one, provides point of view for many characters, helps audience see a broader background and is used for telling stories. 

Narrative answer example

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

Types of narrative endings

Closed endings - TV dramas traditionally feature one characters story or point of view in an episode, which comes to a resolution at the end. Characters story can exist as one unique story in one episode. Story unraveled before an audience, bought to a conclusion at end of episode. 

Open endings - Episode ends on cliff-hanger. Story-telling technique. In films open endings can be unsatisfying for audiences. Allows continuation of the story. Open ending encourages viewer to continue watching (binge). 

Theorist's 

TODOROV: Equilibrium theory
Narrative is chronological and has a linear sequence of themes.

1. equilibrum (Harmony/exposition)
2. disequilbrium (Downfall/introduction of conflict)
3. recognition (climax)
4.resolution (restore)
5. new equilibrium

STRAUSS: Binary oppositions
We understand the world by the relationship two opposites have together. Narratives arranged around conflict of binary oppositions e.g. man VS woman.

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