Long form TV dramas are typically hour long episodes that
expand their narrative over multiple episodes, whilst using an array of
elements-camera shots, props and settings- and by doing so, engage their
audiences and develop characters, genres and the narrative of the drama. In the
sequence Stranger Things, all are connoted through the way in which the crew
chose to use media language.
Being a long form TV drama, thus developing over more than
one episode, the narrative plays a significant role. The novelistic narrative
of Stranger Things is both linear and fragmented, where by the events occur in
chronological order: Will cycles home; he disappears; family and friends go in
search for Will. But the addition of a flashback used within the narrative
creates a sense of disturbance for the audience, taking them back into the
past, which in turn, makes the narrative fragmented. This a typical narrative
of a long form TV drama, as flashbacks are used to help develop a character and
allow the audience to become more attached to them. Joyce’s flashback of her
and Will creates sympathy for her character and helps show the powerful
emotions of losing someone and the hurt it is causing her. The dialogue used
within the flashback is light-hearted and happy, but suddenly transitions to silence
when the camera shows the empty den in the woods; it is a reflection of Joyce’s
sudden realisation that her son is not there.
The setting of Stranger Things is another important asset
which creates meaning and helps to develop the genre. There is a strong
contrast between high-key and low-key lighting throughout the first episode,
suggesting it is the representation of good vs evil and the conflict that is
created within the narrative. The audience are able to identify the mysterious
and supernatural genre that the Duffer Brothers wanted to create. Throughout
the entirety of the first episode, lighting is used to help evoke a notion of
discomfort and tension, where the final scenes of the show themselves are in
low-key lighting- not only is it low-key lighting, but the addition of rain and
the reverse medium shots changing between both Eleven and the boys informs the
audience of Elevens displacement in society. Rain in this scene was very heavy,
implying there was a storm, which in turn, could be a way of foreshadowing
Elevens power and that she can cause a different metaphorical ‘storm’ when she
uses her strength; this is a way for the audience to identify Elevens
development throughout the next episodes.
Moreover, Stranger Things uses an array of sound effects in
the first episode to also further help develop both the narrative and genre of
the long form TV drama. The repetition of the dialogue ‘Will’, where the
community and his family and friends are in search for him throughout the
episode, is used to remind the audience of Will’s character and his
significance to the narrative. It creates meaning that despite not being
visible to the eye, Will is still there, highlighting that even characters who are
not necessarily shown are still of importance to a narrative; it also adds to the
sense of mystery that runs throughout the episode. The diegetic sound of the
rain makes for a realistic atmosphere, making the audience feel as though they
too are experiencing the narrative alongside the characters. The focus on the
rain in the denouement of the first episode is followed by instrumental, mysterious
music that begins when the character Eleven is shown in a medium shot. The music
continues as the reverse shot between the boys and Eleven continues, to which
the final shot ends on Eleven, with a sudden, dramatic, heavy beat that leads
to a second of silence, before the end credits start. The sudden end to the
mysterious music creates a clear sense of finality to the episode, but also
creates a strong feeling of annoyance to the audience, where we want the
immediacy of the next scene and to know what happens next in the narrative.
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