Stranger Things

Language -        Benny calls Eleven "boy" despite being a girl, shows her androgyny and diversity and is more expected of the audience to display a wider range of representations. -        "Step right up and get your tickets to the freakshow" - referring to Jonathan, showing the typical 80's, American high school atmosphere and how Jonathan is an outsider, much like Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin. -         Steve sneaking into Nancy's bedroom while Will is also sneaking out shows the attitude of teenagers. -         Chopper bikes - iconic 80's bike for kids and young teenagers. Important that aspects of the time like the bikes is shown throughout the series and amplifies the verisimilitude from an audience perspective. -        Hawkins lab relates to the American government at the time - threat of nuclear war, constantly being watch, you never know what the government is doing. "I don't get scared like that anymore" - shows how brave Will was trying to be before he went into the Upside - literally becoming a part of a horror movie. -        Intertextuality link to poltergeist Dustin and Lucas fighting over a reference to either the 'Hobbit' or 'Lord of the Rings' showing their nerdy side before later in the series. Mike being the leader and taking charge in the scene with Hopper in school shows his authority over the group. Eleven wearing the torn, muddy hospital gown, enigma - wondering what happened and why she's in this state.	Representation -        Defies 80's stereotypes - while a lot of characters in ST are typical for the time mainly e.g. Karen Wheeler, Dustin, Steve etc. -        Throughout the series a lot of these characters evolve as the events take place - the jock becomes the nice guy, the nerd falls in love, the loner gets the girl etc. -        Eleven is the most obvious character to be atypical in terms of her looks and personality. Whilst these stereotypes aren't as common in 2016 and onwards, due to a more diverse western culture, due to be set in the 80's it shows younger generations how narrow minded older generations used to be and creates nostalgia for older generations -        "Teenagers - free to go out when they wanted, less danger, irresponsible etc "Family life and relationships - Joyce love for Will and Jonathan compared to the Wheelers family atmosphere "Mothers "Absent fathers "Police "Government Supernatural
Stranger Things
Industry -        American, sci-fi, web television series. -        Written, directed and co-executive produced by the Duffer Brothers, as well as, co-executive-produced by Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. -        Netflix gave them creative freedom. -        Set in a fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. -        First season focused on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the town. -        Important that its based in a small urban town rather that a city to make the idea of crime and mystery more surprising. -        Phylogenetic girl (Eleven) - controls things with her mind. Came out July 15th - American summer holidays and just before the British summer holidays Popular across all ages. -        Nostalgic for older generation. -        Takes stereotypes and twists them. Typically, in horror movies the pure, virgin is the last alive, however, in ST she's the first to die. -        The Duffel brothers were rejected by Hollywood until accepted by Netflix who likes breaking rules and boundaries Netflix brands Stranger Things.	Audience -        Synergy with netflix - ability to binge watch -        Narrative enigmas (Roland Barthes) - involved with characters -        Realism - friendship/loyalty, young protagonist etc Retro styling Uses and gratifications -        Personalisation -        what can we relate to Information - knowledge about the time (80s, berlin wall etc) -        Entertainment - finding out what's happening to Will and why he was taken - Mike, Dustin and Lucas' journey -        Social interactions - water cooler moment -        Stranger Things is an escapist, non-realist entertaining drama – diversion -        Much discussed, written about hyped and virally sold - social interaction -        Identity is a key appeal e.g. personal identity -        Information is given 1980s cultural history - surveillance culture. -        Intertextuality to other horror/sci-fi films; ET, Carrie, Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Stand By Me, Alien etc