Stranger Things Trailer/opening 8 minutes

Stranger Things season 1 EP1

Teaser trailer:

·      Voiceover.

·      Eerie non diegetic sound.

·      Horror music.

·      Hybrid genres – horror, sci-fi.

·      Introduction to all characters.

·      Fear of unknown.

·      Set in the 80s in a town where nothing ever happens.

·      Barthes – codes – symbolic e.g. the lights, action – things that happen, enigma – unsolved mystery.

·      Low key lighting – connotes mystery and suspense.

·      Mise en scene – bikes identify 1980s time period.

·      Iconography of science fiction – suits, labs.

·      Non-realism – paranormal – convention of sci-fi – lights, van flying, psychokinetic abilities.

·      Todorov – equilibrium – starts off with equilibrium, then something happens to disrupt the equilibrium e.g. Will goes missing. Equilibrium is balanced again by the end of the story.

·      Starts in Hawkins, Indiana at night. November 6^th.

·      Children are central protagonists – Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will.

Opening 8 minutes:

·      Eerie non diegetic sound

·      Camera tilts down – shows a lab – sci-fi.

·      Lighting malfunction, fleeing scientist.

·      Diegetic sound of monster – horror conventions.

·      Cuts to suburban lawn – sprinkler and house – connotations of middle class.

·      First major characters suggest diversity – seen as outsiders.

·      Objects and props anchor the 80s time period – TV, clothes, bikes, 80s synth soundtrack.

·      Themes of family and friendships.