__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 1
STRANGERTHINGS
SEASONONEEPISODEONE
STUDYBOOKLET
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 2
STRANGERTHINGSS1E1SUMMARY&KEYALLUSIONSTHEVANISHINGOFWILLBYERS
Formoredetails,seehttp://strangerthings.wikia.com/wiki/The_Vanishing_of_Will_Byershttp://strangerthings.wikia.com/wiki/Influences_%26_referencesSeepage11foraquizonEpisode1
OpeningechoesSpielberg'sET;therearemanyotherreferencesinthisepisodeTheboysgavebeenplayingfor10hours!D&DfeaturesinETshedisanotherhomagetoETRedneonstyle'StrangerThings'typefaceisiconic.Openingtitlesarereminiscentofold80sTVcredits.SlowrevealofHopper'srealpositiontakestheaudiencebysurpriseasit'ssuchacontrasttothechaoticmiseensceneofhisroom.Nancy'sinsistenceonwantingtostudyshowherasthe'nicegirlnextdoor'stereotype.Policestationhaslotsofnarrative&cinematicparallelsto'Jaws'
1Acaptioninformsusthatit'sNovember6th1983,HawkinsIndiana.HawkinsNationalLaboratory,agovernmentEnergyLaboratory.Analarmisringing,lightsflickering,Awhite-coatedlabworkerisrunningdownacorridorinpanic.Hegetsinalift,butanimalnoisesandsoundeffectscontinueevenmoreintensely.Heispulledupwardsbyamysteriousforce.2CuttoMike'shouse,viaashotofthesprinklersystematnight.Thefouryoungprotagonists,Will,Dustin,MikeandLucas,areplayingDungeonsandDragons.TheyencountertheterrifyingDemogorgonwhenMike'smuminsistsit'stimefortheotherstogohome.3It'snighttime.WillandDustinraceeachotherhomeontheirbikes.IftheWillwins,DustinpromiseshimhisX-mencomic.Will'slightsflickerandcutout,heisscaredbyamysteriousfigureintheroad,veersofftheroadandfalls.4Accompaniedbythesameeerieanimalnoises,Willrunshome,whichisemptyapartfromabarkingdog.Thereseemstobesomethingchasinghim,Willtriestocall911,butonlygetsastatichissingnoise.Somethingorsomeoneistryingtogetintothehouse.Willrushestothebackyardshedandgrabsanairrifle.Strangegurglingsoundsareheard.Lightgoesoutandhedisappears.5Fadeoutintoretrotitlesequence.Theepisodetitlecaptions'TheVanishingofWillByers'andlistingtheminoractorsarereminiscentofoldcowboyfilmsandwantedposters.TheycontrastwiththemorecorporatemodernNetflixstylewhiteonblackcaptionslistingthemainactors.6WefadeintoapanofChiefHopper'sroom,showingsignsofexcessivedrinking,smokingandgeneralneglect.ATVtellsusthatpowercutshavebeenwidespread.Hopperhalfdressedgoesontohisterraceandhashisfirstcigaretteoftheday.Shower,pills,morecigarettesandaslowrevealofhispositionastightclose-upsshowhimputtingonhispoliceuniform.7MorningroutineattheByershouse.JonathanismakingbreakfastandhismotherJoyceisabouttogotowork.ShediscoversthatWillisnotinhisroom.JoyceringsMikeWheeler'smumKarenwhosaysheleftthenightbefore.ThebackgroundsceneofbreakfastattheWheeler'shouseislight-heartedwithMikeandhissisterNancybickeringoverthemaplesyrup.8CuttoHawkinsMiddleSchool,Mike,DustinandLucasarealittlesurprisedthattheyhaven'tseenWillyet.Theyhavearuninwithbullieswhocallthemfreaks,beforeheadingtoclass.9CuttoHawkinsHighSchool,Nancy,Mike'ssister,tellsherfriendBarbthatherrelationshipwithSteveHarringtonisnotserious,onlytoseeanoteinaherlockertellinghertomeetinthebathroom.Steveandsheoutinthebathroomandtheymakeplanstomeetuplaterintheevening.10Thepolicestationisasceneofmachosleepiness.AnelderlyreceptionistinformsHopperthatJoycecan'tfindherson.Hopperseemsindifferent–'Morningsareforcoffeeandcontemplation'.AnagitatedJoyceimploresHoppertotakeWill'sdisappearanceseriously.HopperquestionsJoyce'sclaimsanddoesn'ttakehertooseriously.Hebrushesheroffwithareminderthatthisisa
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 3
Thescientists'torchesremindusofthescenessuchastheboysontheirbikesandthesearchpartyinthewoods.Schoolamateurradioclubisanexampleoftheretro/nostalgiaaspectsoftheshow.WillcallsanareaofHawkins'Mirkwood'whichtheotherstellawearyHopperisareferenceto'TheHobbit'.'Poltergeist'isanother80sfilmadmiredbytheDufferbrothers
townwheregardengnomethieveryisregardedasamajorcrimeandanowlattackedsomeone'shead.Hopper'sfirstinstinctistoquestionherex-husbandLonnie,butJoyceinsiststhatanypotentialinvolvementofhisinWill'sdisappearanceisunlikely-nonetheless,sheagreestocallhim.
11WeseeDrBrennerandagroupofgovernmentagentsarrivingatHawkinsLaboratory.
Scientistsandagents,includingBrenner,suitupinprotectivesuitsbeforeenteringthe
undergroundsubsystem.Weagainseetheliftfromtheopeningscene.Strangeleaflikeparticles
floatintheair.There,theyfindstrangebiologicgrowthspreading-originatingfromamysterious
fractureinthewall.Thesamegurgling,rumblingsoundsaccompanytheirexploration.Wefind
outthatagirlismissing.
12Cuttobarefeetwalkingalongawoodlandfloor.Cameratiltsuptorevealayoungchildina
hospitalgown.Hershavedhairmakesithardtomakeoutifsheismaleorfemale.HerPOV
showsthebackofBenny'sburgerbar.Sheapproaches,entersthekitchenandstartseatingfries.
Benny,agentlegiant,catchesherasshetriestorunaway.Atfirsthethinksshe'saboy.
13CuttoaclassroomintheMiddleSchool.AfterclassatHawkinsMiddle,theboysbecome
overwhelmedwithexcitementwhentheirscienceteacherrevealsthattheHeathkitham
shackheorderedhasbeendelivered.Theboysareexcitedattheprospectofbeingableto
contactAustraliaandstartplayingaroundwiththeradio,imitatingAustralianaccents.However,
theschoolprincipalandChiefHopperinterruptthemtoquestionthemaboutWill'swayhome
thepreviousnight.Hetellsthemtogostraighthomeafterschoolandtonotgobikingaround
lookingforWill.
14Inaflashbackscene,JoyceisinthewoodsatCastleByers,Will'swoodlandhide-out,surprisingWillwithticketstosee'Poltergeist'.JoycealsoteasesWillaboutafearofclowns;(possiblyareferencetoStephenKing'sIT).Inthepresenttime,JoyceandJonathanareatthefort,lookingforWill.
15BackatBenny'sburgerbar,Bennyfeedsthemysteriousgirlburgers,givesheraT-shirt,andcallssocialservices.Eleven,asthegirlisknownthankstoherstrange"011"tattooonherleftfore-arm,useshermindandpowersoftelekinesistofixanoisyfan.16At'Mirkwood',HopperandhisofficersPowellandCallahanareoutontheroadwhereWillcrashedhisbike.Theyfindit,tippedoverandabandoned,bythetreesonthesideoftheroad.17Joycetriestocallheex-husbandLonnie,butishunguponbyhisgirlfriend,Cynthia.Thesceneis'framed'bysurveillanceofficerswhoarelisteninginonthecall.Jonathantellshismumtokeepcalm.ThepolicearrivewithWill'sbike.Hopperinspectsthehouse.Thedogisintheyardbarkingagitatedlyandlookingoutintothewoods.Hopperisdrawntotheshed.Thelightflickers,andheisstartledbyOffficerCallahanenteringtheshed.Hopperisspookedandtellshistwoofficerstoorganizeasearchparty.
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 4
Mikesays'I'mtheonlyoneactingnormalhere'.
18Mikeandhisfamilysitaroundthedinnertable.MikewantstogolookingforWill,buthismothersaysno.NancyaskshermotherifshecangoandstudyatherfriendBarb'shouse.ThemothersaysthatnobodyleavesthehouseuntilWillisfound.Nancygetsupset,andinanargumentwithMikerevealsthatSteveishernewboyfriend.Thefatherisamusinglypassiveandhelplessduringtheanimateddiscussions.19AsearchpartyisoutinthewoodsatnightlookingforWill.ScienceteacherScottClarketellsHopperthatWillisagreatstudent.ItisrevealedthatHopper'sdaughterdiedafewyearsback,althoughHopperdidn'tsay.20LucasandMiketalkontheir'Supercoms',largewalkie-talkies.TheydiscusshowWillwaswillingtoputhimselfindangertohelpthegroupwhileplayingD&Dthenightbefore,andagreetomeetuptolookforhim.MikespotsStevetryingtosneakintoNancy'sroom.21Mike'soldersisterNancyismakingoutwithSteveHarrington.StevehasclimbedintoNancy'sroom,callinghimself'Ninja'.22Bennyisdoingdishesinthekitchenandtellsthegirlthatasmilelooksgoodonher.AwomanclaimingtobefromSocialServicesarrivestopickherup.Bennyinvitesthewomanintothediner,andwhenhisbackisturned,thewomanshootsBenny.tothetuneofJeffersonAirplane's'WhiteRabbit'playingontheradio.Bennyliesdeadonthefloor,whileanumberofagents(includingDrBrenner)arrivetocollectthegirl.Elevenmanagestoescape,usingherspecialtelekineticpowers.23TheboysareoutsearchingforWill,whileNancyandStevearetogetherinsecretinherroom.StevetriestoseduceNancy,(music'Africa'byToto),butsherejectshisadvances.Theyreturntostudy.24JoyceandJonathangothroughfamilyphotos.Jonathanbreaksdown,feelingguiltyabouthisbrother'sdisappearance.Joycetellshimit'snothisfault,thatWillisclose,thatshecanfeelit.Theychooseapictureforhis"missing"flyers.Joycereceivesanominous,staticcallonherhomephone.JoycesaystoJonathanthatshecanhearWillbreathing.There'sstatic,somegrowling,andthelightsflicker.Thephonesurgeswithelectricity,brieflyelectrocutingJoyce.Joyceisdistraught.25WhilesearchingforWillintherain,Dustinwantstoturnback.MikeandLucasdisagree,goingaheadwiththeirplan.Theyhearrustlinginthebushesandfindthegirl.
Seepage11foraquizonEpisode1
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 5
STRANGERTHINGS–HOWDOESEPISODE1GRABAUDIENCESTheepisodecontainsmanycodes&conventionsthathelptodrawtheaudienceintothenarrative.
1) SUSPENSEInternalcliff-hangersandquestions(theresearchlab,theflickeringlights,Eleven’sidentityandgender).Useofsuspenseandenigmacodes.
- Eleven’sIdentity,ambiguousgender(lookslikeaboy),supernaturalpowers,number011tattooedonwrist
Givemoreexamples:
2) NARRATIVECOMPLEXITY-MULTI-STRANDNARRATIVE=thenarrativehaslotsofdifferentthreads/storylinesOurinterestisreinforcedbythevariedandnumerousstorylines:e.g.a)EL’sidentityb)DisappearanceWillByersc)ChiefHopperlife/backgroundcharacter(thecinematographyintroducingHopperisparticularlyintriguing–slowpanroundhisuntidylivingroomsuggestingloneliness,drinking,lackofrespectability).Heisacountertype.d)ScienceResearchLab(thelabtechnicianwhopanicsinthelift,themysteryofthemeninbio-suits)e)theboardgamescenariof)loveinterest:Nancy&Steveg)Will’smum&hisbrotherJonathanh)thechildrenatschool;bullying;scienceclub3) COLDOPENING=PRE-TITLESEQUENCE–grabstheattentionoftheaudienceby
throwingusstraightintotheactionbeforethetitlesequencewhichisratherdullandretro.Juststartingwiththetitlescouldputaudiencesoff.
4)TODOROV’S2NDPHASEISGIVENPROMINENCE–DISRUPTION/DISEQUILIBRIUM5)Visualcodes–(MCESS)
-darkmiseenscene(forest,suburbanstreet,lotsofactionhappensatnight)-interestingcamerawork–e.g.theunusualoverheadshotofthelabworkerintheliftthewayHopperisintroduced–slowpanroundhislivingroom;takestheaudiencebysurprisewhenweseehimputtingonhissherriff’suniform-editingistraditionalconventionalstraightcutting–occasionalfadestoblack-theuseofSFX(special/visualeffects)isimportanteffectiveandattention-grabbing- e.g.flickeringlights;strangefloatingobjectsinthelab
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 6
6)Sound:skilfuluseofdiegeticandnon-diegeticsound.Non-diegeticsound–e.g.thememusicisused(asalways)toheightentheemotion.Mostlythesoundisdiegeticwith80smusicplayingonaradioinbackground–alsoaddingtotherichnessofthenarrative.Pluslotsofgoodsci-fispecialeffectstohighlightthesenseofhorror.(e.g.mysteriousphonecallstotheByershousehold)
7) BINARYOPPOSITIONS–e.g.natural/supernatural;interplaybetween
ordinary/extraordinaryadultsvschildren–therepresentationofchildrenasmorelikeadults.MotherplayedbyWinonaRiderseemsmorevulnerableandchildlikethansomeoftheyoungercharacters.Thisisreinforcedbyherclothes.Will’sbrotherJonathanisgenerallystrong,calm(composed),protectiveofhismother.
8) INTERTEXTUALITY–addstotherichnessoftheproductionandaddstothe
gratifications(pleasures)ofthedrama.E.T.,CloseEncountersoftheThirdKind,BacktotheFuture,Ghostbusters,STANDBYMEareamongthemanyfilmsthatarereferredto.Sometimesshotsarereproducedexactly.Theseriesisatributeto‘auteur’directorssuchasStevenSpielberg.(Anauteurdirectorissomeonewhohasfullcontrolofeveryaspectoftheproductionandwhoproducersallowthecreativefreedomtodowhattheywant).TherearealsotributesandreferencestonarrativesbyhorrorwriterStephenKing,especially‘IT’.
9) RETRO/NOSTALGIA–80sdécor,hugebrickwalkie-talkies.Theoldlandlinephone.
10) HYBRIDGENRE:maingenreisSCI-FI;pluselementsofhorror,romance,comedy,adventure,thriller,childhood‘comingofage’movie,crimepoliceinvestigation.
11) Strongcharacterization–largecast;variedcharacters.ActorsarelargelyunknownapartfromWinonaRyderwhoplaysJoyceByers,Will’smother.Theboysforexampleareallverydifferent,amusing,quirky.Dustin–goofy,Mike-thoughtfulreflectiveandsensitive.TheirbanterimitatesthatoftheadultworldandremindsusofotherfilmssuchasStandbyme.Eleven,playedbyEnglishactressMillieBobbyBrown,isverycompelling(oncasting,thedirectorsweredrawntohermagneticqualitiesasayoung13year
old.)12) Humour?Watchtheepisodeandseeifyoucanfindexamplesof
humour.Whoarethefunniestcharacters?Arethereamusingsituations?Alltheseaspectshelptomaketheepisodeeffectiveandattractivetoavarietyofaudiences.
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 7
TARGETAUDIENCES–wideraudiences,hybridgenresandskilfulstorytelling.AlltheseaspectshelptopromotetheNetflixbrand
• Mainlyscififans• Adultswhogrewupinthe80s(Intertextuality,retro,nostalgia)• Femaleteenagers–romcomaspect–HighSchoolromanceNancy&Steve• ChildrenandYoungteenagers–attractedbythreemainprotagonists• Olderteenagers/students:cultfollowing–buildsupastrongyoungadultfan
base_______________
ACTIVITYAResearchNetflixasacommercialoperation.Howdoesitmakeitsmoney?Advertising?Globalpresence?
_____________________ACTIVITYBGENRES–a)Giveexamplesfromthenarrative,visualandaudiocodesofthefollowing:Laceytalksabouteachgenreformhavingitsownparticular
'repertoireofelements.'SciFiHorrorRomanceRomcomChidren’sadventure‘ComingofAgeMovie’(afilmaboutachildwhoseexperienceshelphimtocometotermswithadultworld)ThrillerAlienabductionPoliceinvestigation–(+comedyaroundsmalltownprovincialcopswhoworkinaplacewherenothingseriouseverhappens'coffee&contemplation',gardengnomes&owl)HighSchoolDramab)Whichisthedominantgenre?Describesomeoftheiconographythatwewouldinstantlyassociatewiththisgenre.c)Doyouthink'StrangerThings'isahybridgenretextorisitmoreunifiedthanotherlongformTVdramasyouhaveseen?Whatistheeffectofhybridity?d)TowhatextentisSteveNeale'sviewofgenrerelevanttoStrangerThings?('Repetitionanddifference','repetitionandvariation').e)IstherealsoalinktoPostmodernism(imitation,replicaetc)?
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 8
__________________
ACTIVITYCPRODUCTIONDETAILS.RESEARCHTHESERIESUSINGIMDBANDOTHERSITES.TRYTOAVOIDWIKIPEDIA.
NetflixasanorganisationHowmuchdiditcosttomake?Howmanyepisodes–commercialsuccessorfailure?LocationsActors-weretheyknown?Nameofwritersanddirectors–whatwastheiraim?________________________________________
ACTIVITYDSTRANGERTHINGSTHEORYLINKChoose5ofthefollowingabrieflywritehowthetheoriesrelateordonotrelateto‘StrangerThings’
Neale–GenreTheoryFiske–fragmentedaudiencesAuteurtheoryPostmodernism(Baudrillard)–replica&imitationDyerUtopianSolutionsDenotation&Connotation(RolandBarthes)Binaryoppositions(Levi-Strauss)Gerbner–MeanWorldSyndromeTodorovHenryJenkins-FandomButler–genderconditioning+VanZoonenHesmondhalgh:(MEDIAINDUSTRIES)repetitionandmassproduction,recyclingofsuccessfulformats&formulas;growingpowerofNetflixasamediaplayerClayShirky('manytomany'model?Thepowerofsocialmedia-digitalconversation)________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 9
ACTIVITYELINKSTOPROPP’S8CHARACTERTYPESRevisePropp’scharactertypes.ListthemandseeifyoucanmatchanyofthemtothecharactersinEpisode1
ACTIVITYFRepresentationsinStrangerThingsSeason1Episode1Seehttp://strangerthings.wikia.com/wiki/Character_List
Trytogetanoverviewsothatyoucananalyseinmoredepth.Pick5or6ofthemostinterestingcharactersandanalysehowtheyareconstructed(actors,looks,costume,surroundings,behaviour,contributiontothenarrativebigpicture).Whoisthemostinterestingcharacterandwhy?Aretheystereotypes?Howdotheyappealtodifferentaudiencetypes?DotheyfitinwithPropp'scharactertypes?Howdotherepresentationshelptopropelthenarrative(conflict,enigma,romanceetc).Howdotheyappealtoglobalaudiences?Authorityfigurese.g.policeofficers,chiefHopper,governmentscientists/agentsAdults:JoyceByersSherriffChiefHopperPoliceGovernmentScientistsScienceTeacher
Thechildren:WillByersDustinMikeLucasElevenTeenagersNancyWheelerSteveHarringtonJonathanByers
2)HowaretheLocationsrepresented?Dotherepresentationsconfirmorsubvertourexpectations?Locations–howdotheyhelpthehybridgenrefeeloftheproduction?Howarethelocationsfilmedtoaddasenseofmystery?e.g.doeshomefeellikehome?Istheschoolaplaceofsafety?SchoolWoodsHomesPolicestationResearchLab
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 10
SOMEKEYPRODUCTIONFACTS• 6mdollarsperepisode–50mins(costroseto8mperepisodeinSeason2)
(similartobudgetsforbigHollywoodfilms)• showsthefinancialstrengthofNetflix• unlikenormalTVtherearenoadverts• mostincomefromsubscriptions–itisaglobal,worldwidecompany• Patternofviewingischangingawayfromcinematohomeentertainment,• Thestreamingmodelisnowthepreferredwaytoconsumebroadcastmedia• ButNetflixalsoallowsuserstodownloadepisodes–thisisimportantinareasof
theworldwherebandwidthisproblematic(whichleadstobufferingissues).• NotablelackofmerchandisingandmarketingforSeason1–slowburner-relies
onwordofmouth;viralaspect• TheseriesissetinthefictionaltownofHawkinsIndiana;setin1983.• Filmedin2015releasedin2016
ACTIVITYGUsingtheseproductiondetailsandthoseyouhavefoundinActivityC,makearevisionhandoutforyourselforotherclasses.Makeitvisuallyattractive,using
shapesandcolours
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 11
EPISODE1QUIZ
1) Whatyearisitset?
2) NameofthefictionaltowninIndiana?
3) WhatcomicdoesDustinpromiseWillifhegetshomefirst?
4) WhichfilmfrequentlyreferencedinEpisode1e.g.theShed,theopeningslowpandownfromthesky?
5) TitleofEpisode1
6) Mike'ssurname
7) ChiefHoppertellsFlohisreceptionist:morningsareforcoffeeand……
8) Nameofthesinisterdoctorwhoseemstobeleadingthescientistsatthelab
9) Whatcountryaretheboystoldtheycancontactwiththeamateurradio?
10) Whatdotheboyscallanareawheretheroadmeetsthewoods?
11) Whichbookdoestheabovenamecomefrom?
12) IntheflashbackscenetoWill'sCastleByershideout,whatfilmdoeshismotherJoycesayshehasgotticketsfor?
13) Whatisthenameoftherestaurant/dinerwhereElevenfirstappears?
14) Whatdowecalltheenergytomoveobjectsbythepowerofthought?
15) GivethefirstnamesofWill'sthreefriends.
16) Nameofthetwobrotherswhowroteanddirectedtheshow.
17) Namethe(English)actresswhoplaysEleven
18) Nametheboard-gameplayedbytheboys
19) Namethemonsterintheboard-gamewhoissummonedup
20) Yearwhentheepisodewasfirstreleased
Here'sabuzzfeedquiz:https://www.buzzfeed.com/keelyflaherty/how-well-do-you-remember-chapter-one-of-stranger-things
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 12
STRANGERTHINGS-MAINTHEMES
Levi-Strauss:binaryoppositionsPolitical,socialandculturalcontext
Thesupernatural;AmericanAnxiety1. Ordinaryvsextraordinary2. Naturalvssupernatural3. Rationalvsirrational.4. Thepoweroftheirrational,supernaturalworld5. Thehiddenworldthatliesbeneaththesurface.Theexistenceofmysteriousextra
dimensions'theupsidedown'.6. Agrowinginterestinalieninvasionnarratives.(TheX-Fileswasabigsci-fiTVhit
ofthe1980s).PerhapsaccentuatedbytheexperiencesoftwoworldwarsandnuclearattacksonHiroshima.Agrowingfeelingthathumanity,especiallytheUSisnotinvincibleandtheworldisafragileplace.Post-9/11insecurity.Anxietyaboutthefuture.Similartocold-warantiSovietnuclearwarparanoiaofthe1950sand60s.
Inadequacyofadults
7. Corrupt,oratbest,theindifferentnatureofauthority.(Hawkinspolice).8. Powerlessnessandweaknessoftrustedinstitutions.(police,government,social
services)9. Disillusionwiththeadultworldandthesecurityitissupposedtoprovide(as
adultsstrugglewithmaritalbreakdown,selfishness,pressuresofwork,economichardship).Thisgenerallygoesalongsideteenage'comingofage'themes.
Inadequacyofreligionandsciencetoprovideanswersandreassurance
10. Growingmistrustofreligiontoprovideanswersandsecurity.11. Weakeningoffaithinsciencetosolvetheworld'sproblemsandmakepeople
happier.12. Longingforasimplerpre-technologicalage.(nostalgiaforschoolscienceclubs,
landlines,oldvideogames,boardgames).Transitionfromchildhood;
13. Lossofchildhoodinnocenceinacorruptsocietyrunbyshadyadults(Governmentsciencelab).
14. Nostalgiaforapastageofchildrenbeingfreetowanderaroundandhaveadventures.
15. Childabuse?ThetreatmentofEleven.Echoesofholocaust–shavedhead,tattooednumber.
16. Teenagesexualityandguilt–acommonthemeinhorrorfilmswheresexualawakeningandpubertyisreflectedindisturbingexternalevents.–avariationonthepatheticfallacyidea.Seefilmslike'Carrie',TheExorcist
17. Existentialistpreoccupationwith'TheOther',TheOutsider.Rejectionofsociety'sconventions,normsandexpectations.Afeelingofalienationlinkedwitharebelliousrefusaltoconform.
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 13
STRANGERTHINGSQUESTIONSONARTICLESPAGES15-21A)Article1p15Max:25marks1) Giveanotherwordfor‘shortness’.2) HowmanyepisodesinSeason1?3) Whichcompanywasbehindtheproduction?4) Howwastheseriesdifferentintermsofadvertising?5) Nameofthetheoristbehindthethree-partnarrative6) WhatistherelevanceofClayShirky’s‘Manytomany’model?7) Howelsecanaseriestakeonalifeofitsown?Clue:HenryJenkins.8) Name3filmsthatE1refersto.
B)Article2p16Max:10marks
1) Whatliveeventisdescribedhere?2) Explainwhyliveeventsseemtoconflictwithmoderndigitalaudiences3) ExplainthelinktoGeorgeGerbner.
C)Article3p17,18Max:30marks1) Whatdoyouthinkismeantby‘localization’?2) What2methodsareusedtomakeEnglish-languageprogrammesaccessibleto
foreignaudiences?3) ExplainhowNetflixmakestheworkoftranslatorseasier.4) Whyisdownloadablecontentmoreuser-friendlyforcertainaudiences?5) Whatismeantbythe‘digitaldivide’6) HowdoesthearticlerelatetoMarshallMcLuhan’sclaiminthe1970sthatthe
worldwasbecominga‘globalvillage’.7) WhatelsehasNetflixdonetoextenditsglobalreach?Seep16halfwaydown.8) Whatismeantby‘itsthemesareuniversal’?Giveexamples9) Howdoesintertextualityhelptoboosttheshow’ssuccess?10) ThearticleendswithaninterestingpointaboutNetflixpowerasaglobal
commercialindustry.Summarisethepointusingwordslike‘range’‘programming’and‘global’
D)Article4Amazon&Netflixp19Max:20marks1) WhatdoAmazonandNetflixhaveincommon?2) Whyisoriginalcontentsoimportantinaglobalmarket?Thereareatleast3
reasons–readtotheend.3) Explainthereferenceto8billiondollars4) Whyareusers’onlinebehaviourtracked?WhatdoesShoshanaZuboffcallthis
process?Canyouthinkofotherexamplesofthis?5) ExplainthelinkbetweentheideasinthisarticleandDavidHesmondhalgh’sview
ofcorporatepower.
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 14
E)Article5p20,21Max:20marks1) Giveatleast3reasonswhytheshowcouldhavefailed.2) HowwouldyouuseDyer’sUtopianSolutionsModeltoexplainST’ssuccess?3) WhywasthecastingofWinonaRydersoimportant?4) WhichwriterhadagreateffectontheDufferbrothers?5) WhatisthenormalassumptionwhenaTVseriesstarschildren?6) WhoisMillyBobbyBrown?Whatmadeherstandoutasanactress?7) Whyisithardertomakeasecondseason?F)GeneralquestionsaboutglobalizationMax:25marksa) Whatismeantbyculturalimperialism?Clue:thedominanceofacertaincountry
anditsvalues–whichone?b) ExplainhowSTcouldbeaccusedofrepresentingWesterndominanceand
culturalimperialismc) Doyouthinkglobalizationisagoodthing?WhataretheProsandconsformedia
industries.Prosandconsforaudiences.d) Whydoyouthinkthereisnowa‘post-colonial’moodintheUSofgreater
insecurityanduncertaintycomparedtothe20thcentury?e) HowdoesSTreflectthis‘post-colonial’mood?
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 15
ARTICLE1REASONSFORSUCCESS1
Todorov–3partstructureIt'salsoworthlookingatPropp's8charactertypestoseewhichfitClayShirky–'manytomanymodel'vsHesmondhalgh'sviewsoncorporatepower.Also–lookatHenryJenkinsonFandom
Watchedbysome15mintheUS.96%ratingonRottenTomatoes.SetinfictionalHawkinsIndianac1983.ReferstomanyotherfilmssuchasPoltergeist,ET,StephenKing'sIt,StandbyMeReasonsforsuccessBrevity-justeightone-hourepisodeswereproducedinSeason1Italsosetupathrillingconclusion,plusnumerouscliff-hangersandinternalcliff-hangersalongtheway.Creativecontroloftheseriesisalsocentralisedwithinaverysmallgroup;producerShawnLevy,co-producerDanCohenandtheDufferbrothers-MattandRoss-whodirecttheepisodes.
Butperhapsthestrongestasset-andwhatyoumightcallNetflix'ssecretweapon-wastosimplynotmarkettheseries,confidentthattheabsenceofobviouscommercewouldcreateanauraofintriguearoundtheseries.Theywereright.
"Youwillnotseebillboards,youwon'tseepostersatbusstops,"theshow'sproducerShawnLevysaid.Netflixhadtremendousfaithinitsviralpotential.
Theyarealsogreatbelieversinwordofmouth."Theideaistoturnpeopleonitawaythatmakespeopletelltheirfamilyandfriendsandwebuildorganicallyfromthere,"hesaid.
LevysaidNetflix'sgreateststrengthwasawillingnesstoletthemworkwithoutrestraint.
"Whenwesoldthis,ithadnopre-awarenesstitle,nobigstaractororshowrunner,justtheseyoungtwinbrotherswithacrazyidea,vividlyrealised,andamoviedirectorastheproducer,"Levysays."Theyreallyempoweredusandletusleadtheway."
1SydneyMorningHerald–STisapopculturephenomenonhttps://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/stranger-things-the-making-of-a-pop-culture-phenomenon-20171026-gz8i6n.html
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 16
audiences&tastefor'live'eventsLookatJENKINSonFANDOM+GERBNER–ONPOWEROFTV
ARTICLE2Secondseason–livelaunchscreening
Thesecondseasonpremiereiscomingtomarketinverydifferentcircumstances,andwithanenormous"pre-awareness"onthepartoftheaudience.Andapremiereatoneoftheworld'siconicvenues:theSydneyOperaHouse.
Thefreelaunch,opentothosequickenoughtoregisteronline,sawthebuilding'sfoyertransformedintoHawkins,Indiana,completewithaninfamouswhitePower&Lightvanoutfrontandchillinglydead-eyedchildactors,cyclingaboutonvintageBMXbikes,fillinginfortheshow'scastinphoto-ops.
Billedasthepremiere's"biggestfaneventintheworld",thescreeninghitcapacity,withover2000people–largelyteensand20-somethings,garbedinallsortsofknick-knacksfromtheirparents'wardrobe.
"Thisisforfans,byfans,whichisthemostimportantthing,"saidHarveyaboutthepremiere.
"Televisionisaveryimportantformofstorytelling;it'swheremostpeoplegettheirworldviewsandentertainmentfrom,andwereallyneedtocelebratethoseartistsintelevisionwhoaredoingagreatjob."
Ifthat'snotfandedication,it'shardtoknowwhatis.
Forthebestarticleonalltheinter-textualreferencesandallusions(films,TVseries,videogames,comics)seehttp://strangerthings.wikia.com/wiki/Influences_%26_references
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 17
ARTICLE3Globalsuccess&localization2
seetheoryzonewww.themediastop.co.ukonglobalizationlearn&usethetermlocalization–whatdoesitmean?
Localization–theabilityofaproductiontoappealtoalocalareaShowslikeStrangerThingsneedtohaveaglobalappeal.Netflixhasapresenceinnearly200countriesworldwide.TheshowwentviralfirstinCanada,andgraduallyspreadtofindenthusiastsaroundtheworld.Inonemonth,Netflixusersin190countrieswatchedStrangerThings,andviewersin70ofthosenationsbecamedevotedfans.LanguageissuesThestreamingserviceneedstomaintainalibrarythatuserswillpayforyear-round.So,Netflixputsalotofworkandresourcesintosubtitlinganddubbingservices,makingsuretheygetitrightforeachlocalmarket."Wethinkofthesubtitlesanddubsasenablingaccesstothestory,"saysDennySheehan,thedirectorofNetflix'scontentlocalizationandqualitycontrolefforts."Ourgoalistoreallycreateculturallyrelevantandresonanttranslationsforthecontinentthathaveawideglobalappeal.”
Makingmoviesorseriesthatplaywelloverseasdependstoacertainextentonquality,ofcourse,andNetflixhaslongmaintainedthatgeographyisapoorindicatorofwhatpeoplewillactuallywatch.ButforashowlikeStrangerThings—whichisanEmmy-nominatedandcritically-praisedshowintheUS—tosucceedabroad,Netflixhastotranslateitsgeniustoasmanymarketsaspossible.Literally.Theworldcontainsthousandsoflanguages.Figuringoutthepropertranslationfor"Demogorgon"ineachofthemwouldbeimpractical.Butforthe20languagesinwhichNetflixdoesprovidesubtitles—andthelargenumberinwhichitdubsshows—itreallymakestheefforttodoagoodjob.
Netflixcrowd-sourcesfromlinguisticexpertstranslationsforsomeoftheweirderSciFi&fantasynamese.g.Demogorgon.TheylookedatgameslikeDungeonsandDragonsweretranslatedthroughouttheworld.NetflixthenproducesaKeynamesandPhrases(KNP)Tool"Weneedtomakesurewearetranslatingthesamewaythatthingsweretranslated,say,30yearsago,"saysSheehan"Wecompileallofthatintoessentiallyashowbible,andwegivethattoallofourtranslators,allofourdubstudios,sotheycanreferencethat."
Theirapproachisfarlesshegemonic,lesspost-colonialthantraditionalUS
2 Wired Magazine https://www.wired.com/story/netflix-stranger-things-global/
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 18
Netflix'sapproachispluralistandinclusiveratherthanhegemonic;noevidenceofarrogantUSdominance(culturalimperialism).Moreculturallysensitive.Doyouagree?localizationneedforcontenttobeaccessibleanddownloadable(tocopewiththedigitaldivide–thegapbetweenthosewhohaveandthosewhodon'thaveaccesstofastbroadbandconnections)importanceofsocialnetworkingClayShirky–globaldigitalcommunitiesAlsoTimO'ReillyWeb2.0
broadcastersandcompanieslikeAmazon.NetflixismoreinterestedinmakingtheprogrammeaccessibletolocalaudiencesratherthanimposingaUSlinguisticmodelontheworld.(Thisisknownasculturalimperialism)WiderissuesaroundlocalizationToddYellin,isinchargeofproductinnovationforNetflix.Beforeyoulocalizeit,youhavetheearlyadopterswhospeakEnglishwellenoughthattheycanusetheserviceinthosecountries,"Yellinsays."Butafteryoulocalize,youseesubstantiallymoregrowthinthosecountries."
Thecompanyhasalsoadvancedeffortsinrecentyearstomakeitsservicemoreusableinemergingmarkets,countrieswherebandwidthmaybelimitedorunreliable.Thatincludestherecentintroductionofdownloadablecontent,whichletsusersgrabanepisodewhileonWi-Fitowatchonthego."Whatwe'redoingistryingtodothingslike,whenpeoplearewatchingoveracellularnetwork,howtogetbetterqualityforfewerbitsofdata,howtoavoidrebufferinginmorechallenginginternetscenarios,likeyouoftenhitinIndiaorMalaysiaorthePhilippinesandsoforth,"saysYellin."ThosemarketsareveryimportantfortheexpansionofNetflix."
Peopledoneedtowanttowatchtheshowsinthefirstplace.Netflixhasamulti-seriesdealwithMarvel,whosestableofcomicbookcharactershasahugeinternationalreputation.Ithasalsoinvestedheavilyinanime-agenrethatcrossesgeographicalandsocialboundaries.AsaSpielberg-genrethrowback,StrangerThingsseemssimilarlybuiltforinternationalsuccess.Thestarsandcreatorsmayhavebeenrelativeunknownsbeforetheseriesdebuted,butitsthemesareuniversal.Andit'snotjustSpielberg;fansofDavidLynchandStandByMewillfindfamiliarnuggetsaswell.Itscommercialsuccessresultsfromattractingseveraldifferentaudiences.Alloftheallusionsmakeitakindofinteractivegameaspeople‘spotthereferences’,feelflatteredbytheirabilitytodosobutalsocuriousaboutthosetheyrealizetheymustbemissing,andsharethemthroughsocialnetworking,togetherwithspeculationaboutwhatisgoingonandwhatthevariouscluesmightmean.StrangerThings,too,isjustoneshow.Theprocessrepeatsitselfacrossthousandsofhoursofcontent.Netflixalreadymadeshowsbasedonwhattheworldwantedtowatch;thehardpart,now,ispresentingitinawaythatpeoplecanunderstand,nomatterwheretheyliveorwhatlanguagetheyspeak.
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 19
Hesmondhalgh–mediaindustriesremainaspowerfulasever.Thankstocommercialization,globalizationandverticalintegrationThisisrelevanttoMarshallMcLuhan'sideaabouttheworldbecominga'globalvillage'.Trackinguserbehaviour–surveillancecapitalism(ShoshanaZuboff)
ARTICLE4NetflixandAmazon'sraceforworlddominationofthebroadcastmarket.3NetflixoriginalsandAmazonStudios–meanthatbothcompaniescanproduceoriginalcontentaimedatglobalmarkets(notrelyingontraditionalHollywoodfilms)Bothcompaniesarenowpresentinaround200countries(eachhadsimultaneouslaunchesacross130)Thechallengeistoensurethattherearesufficientaudiencesabroadwhoarewaitingtowatch.Thisisonlypossiblewithoriginalcontent.Thisisalsoawayofgettingroundcomplexlegalrestrictions(e.g.inFranceyoucan'tshowafilmonTVuntil3yearsafteritscinemarelease).NetflixgotintotroublewhenitboughtandlaunchedawholesetofDisneymovies-Disneystillhadtherightsandthefilmswereonlyavailableforthreetofiveyears.Soit'seasiertoshowyourowncontent.Netflixhasabudgetofaround8billiondollarstoproduceoriginalcontent.Amazonissimilar.Owningtheirowncontentalsomakesiteasierforthecompaniestoallowdownloading–acheaperalternativeespeciallyincountrieswherestreamingishardasInternetconnections(bandwidth)isnotsogood.Thisofflineviewinghelpsglobalexpansion.Globalization&themediaindustryOwningtheirowncontentalsohelpstopromotetheNetflix/Amazonbrand.Producerscantrialpilotswiththeirsubscribers(AmazonPrimeusershavetheopportunitytocommentonnewseries)Netflixtracksuserbehaviourtodecidenotjustwhatshowsitshouldinvestin,butwhatsortofbudgettoallocateeachmovieandseries.There’smaybenobetterindicationthatthisapproachworksthantheexclusivefour-picturedealNetflixsignedwithAdamSandlerin2014.Atthetime,themoveinvitedgroans.Thefirstofthosemovies,Ridiculous6,becametheservice’smost-streamedmovieeverafterjust30daysofrelease.Withtheirowncontent,thecompaniescanalsocontrolprogramformatsandresolutionsotheycanfuture-proofthemashi-resolutionHDviewingcomesalong.
3 Wired Magazine https://www.wired.com/2016/12/amazon-netflix-look-shows-key-world-domination/
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 20
ARTCILE5RadioTimes-WhyisStrangerThingssopopularbyStephenArmstrong(Oct2017)4
Dyer'sUtopianSolutionsModelcanhelptoexplainitssuccessWinonaRyderwastheonlybignamestarStephenKingStevenSpielbergIntertextualityhomageThekids
Byrights,StrangerThingsshouldhavefailed.Theshow’screators–theDufferbrothers,MattandRoss–hadnotrackrecordinTVbeyondwritingahandfulofepisodesofFoxsci-fiseriesWaywardPines.Thecastwasunknown,withtheexceptionofWinonaRyder.ItwassetinafictionaltowninIndianain1983.Its'monster-from-the-other-side-hunting-young-teens'plotmimickedunfashionable80shorrormovietropes,anditstarredabunchofkids.
Andyetit’sNetflix’sbiggesthittodate.
Whatconstitutesahitforthestreamingserviceissometimesunclear–thecompanyfamouslyrefusestoreleaseviewingfigures–butwhentheyannouncedrecordthird-quarterresultsfor2016,StrangerThingswasoneoftheseriescredited,whileleakednumbersappearedtoshowitoutperformingKevinSpaceyinHouseofCards.Seriestwowascommissionedalmostimmediately.
“WhenwecastWinonaRyderbackin2015,shewasn’tdoingalotofmoviesandhadneverdonetelevision–I’mnotsureshewouldhavemetwithusotherwise,”explainsStrangerThingsproducerShawnLevy,inadrabofficeattheedgeoftheshow’sAtlanta-basedset.“Then,afterseasonone,theDuffersandIgotcallsfromalotofveryfamousactorswhowantedtobeapartofseasontwo,andwell-knowndirectorsalmostbeggingtodirectanepisode.”
RydercertainlyhadaparttoplayinStrangerThings’ssuccess–shewassinglemumJoyceByers,whosesearchforhermissingsonWillremindedeveryonehowmesmerisingshecouldbe.“Wemetupwithherforacupofteaandendedupinthisfour-hour-longconversation–shehadthefragilityweneeded,”RossDuffersays.“ThescriptwasrewrittensothecharacterwasbasedonWinonaherself,toadegree.”
AlsosignificantistheimprintleftonthebrothersbytheworkofStevenSpielbergandStephenKing.“TherewasaveryspecificfeelingIhadwhenIwasreadingStephenKingbooksinmybedroomwhenIwasakidandweweretryingtocapturethatandputitonscreen,”saysMatt.“Wehungoutwithagroupofnerdyfriendsplayinggames.Therewasthissensethatifyouwentintothewoodsyou’dfindatreasuremapandgoonanadventure.”
TothesurpriseofHollywood,ifnottheStrangerThingsteam,adultsreallylovedthekids.“TheconventionalwisdominfilmandTVisyoucan’tmakesomethingstarringkidsthatisn’tforkids,”saysMatt.“Wesawoverathousandpeopleforthesepartsbecausewereallywantedkidswhodidn’t
4 RadioTimes-WhyisStrangerThingssopopularbyStephenArmstrong(Oct2017)https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-10-26/why-is-stranger-things-so-popular/
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 21
ElevenplayedbyMillieBobbyBrown
feelthattheybelongedontelevisionandfeltauthentic.”
FinnWolfhard,GatenMatarazzoandCalebMcLaughlinasMike,DustinandLucas–thethreenerdstryingtofindtheirmissingfriendWill,playedbyNoahSchnapp–allshone,butBritishactorMillieBobbyBrown,13,utterlystoletheshowasthehauntingEleven.Brown’sfamilymovedfromBournemouthtoFloridawhenshewaseight,andthenontoLAafterherdramateachertoldBrown’sparentsthatshehas“instinctsyoucannotteach”.…..
Discussingtheshow’ssuccess,forinstance,shesays,“Instagramfollowersstartedtogoup,Istartedtogetmoremessages,myfriendsthatIhadn’tspokentointhreeyearsstartedtotextmeagain,andIwaslike,‘Hmm,OK,Iseewherethisisgoing…’”shesmiles.“Elevenisafreak,anoutcast,she’sgotashavedheadandsheembracesitall–andthat’swhypeoplejustrelatetoher.”
Sometraumaticscenes–beinglockedinacell,runningfromhercaptorsandbattlingagiantmonster–lookalarmingtofilm,butsheshrugsthisoff.“TheDuffersarereallysensitiveandsay,‘We’regoingtogiveyouhoweverlongyouneed,’”shesays.“Buthonestly?SometimesIfeellikethehappyscenesareabitboringforme.IlovetocryinasceneandIlikeactionsceneswherestuffishappening.”
Askedabouttheriskofbecomingachildstarcasualty,sherollshereyes.“Idon’tknowifI’llkeepdoingitorgoofftocollegebutallofusenjoygoingonseteveryday.We’renotlookingforlongevity,we’relookingforthefunofit.”……
Theproblemis,Mattpointsout,thatfollowingabreakthrough,unexpectedhitisn’teasy.“Whenweweremakingthisthingtwoyearsagonoonewaspayingattention,”heshrugs.“Doingseasontwowiththisexpectationlevelisdefinitelydaunting.We’vehadtoavoidmostsocialmedia,forastart.”
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 22
SampleExamQuestions–(RememberthatintheexamyouwillneedtorefertotwolongformTVdramas,StrangerThingsplusanon-Englishlanguageproduction)
Fornow,youcanjustlimityouranswersto‘StrangerThings’Thisisasynopticquestion,(=bringingtogetherallaspectscoveredthroughoutthecourse).Youwillbe
rewardedfordrawingtogetherknowledgeandunderstandingfromyourfullcourseofstudy,including
differentareastheoreticalframeworkandmediacontexts.
A)Whydolongformtelevisiondramasfromdifferentcountriesofferdifferentrepresentations?[20]
Inyouransweryoumust:·considerthecontextsinwhichlongformtelevisiondramasareproducedandconsumed·explainhowmediacontextsmayhaveinfluencedrepresentationsinthesetepisodesofthetwolongformtelevisiondramasyouhavestudied·makejudgementsandreachconclusionsaboutthereasonsforthedifferencesinrepresentationbetweenthetwoepisodes.
B)EvaluatetherelevanceofTodorov’stheoryofnarratologytolongformtelevisiondrama.
C) Discuss the extent to which the long form television dramas you have studied challenge the conventions of genre. Your answer should make reference to both long form television dramas you have studied: one from List A and one from List B. [20]
D) Discuss the extent to which your chosen long form television dramas successfully target their audiences. Your answer should make reference to both long form television dramas you have studied: one from List A and one from List B [20]
E) Evaluate the usefulness of academic ideas and arguments in helping your understanding of how media language is used in one of the long form television dramas
that you have studied. [10]
Extraquestionsanddiscussionpoints1) Howdoesthefirstepisodedrawtheaudiencein?
2) HowdolongformTVdramassuccessfullytargetdifferentaudiences?3) Discusstherepresentationoflocationinthedramasyouhavestudied.4) Compareandcontrasttherepresentationsofcertaingroupsinthedramasyouhavestudied
e.g.authorityfigures,police,children,women,villains,parents.5) HowdoeslongformTVdramasuccessfullycrossnationalandculturalboundariestogain
foreignaudiences.6) DiscussthedifferencesinstylebetweentheEnglishlanguageandthenonEnglishlanguage
TVdramayouhavestudied.7) Discusstheroleofintertextualityandotherpostmodernconventionssuchasself-referencing,
parodyandpasticheinyourchosenTVdramas.8) Howdoestheformatofalong-formdramainfluencethestructureofthenarrative?9) Towhatextentdothedramasyouhavestudiedreflectthecultural,social,economicand
politicalcontextofthecountriesinwhichtheywereproduced?10) Whichacademicideas,ifany,couldbeusefulinaddingtoanappreciationofthedramas
youhavestudied?
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 23
Episode1Quizanswers1)Whatyearisitset? 1983
2)NameofthefictionaltowninIndiana? Hawkins
3)WhatcomicdoesDustinpromiseWillifhegetshomefirst? X-Men
4)WhichfilmanddirectorisfrequentlyreferencedinEpisode1e.g.theShed,theopeningslowpandownfromthesky?
StevenSpielberg'sET
5)TitleofEpisode1 TheVanishingofWillByers
6)Mike'ssurname Wheeler
7)ChiefHoppertellsFlohisreceptionist:morningsareforcoffeeand…… contemplation
8)Nameofthesinisterdoctorwhoseemstobeleadingthescientistsatthelab DrBrenner
9)Whatcountryaretheboystoldtheycancontactwiththeamateurradio? Australia
10)Whatdotheboyscallanareawheretheroadmeetsthewoods? Mirkwood
11)Whichbookdoestheabovenamecomefrom? TheHobbit(byJRRTolkein)
12)IntheflashbackscenetoWill's'CastleByers'hideout,whatfilmdoeshismotherJoycesayshehasgotticketsfor?
Poltergeist
13)Whatisthenameoftherestaurant/dinerwhereElevenfirstappears? Benny's(BurgerBar)
14)Whatdowecalltheenergytomoveobjectsbythepowerofthought? telekinesis;telekinetic
15)GivethefirstnamesofWill'sthreefriends. Dustin,MikeandLucas
16) Nameofthetwobrotherswhowroteanddirectedtheshow. Matt&RossDuffer
17) Namethe(English)actresswhoplaysEleven. MillieBobbyBrown
18) Nametheboard-gameplayedbytheboys. Dungeons&Dragons
19) Namethemonsterintheboard-gamewhoissummonedup. Demogorgon
20) Yearwhentheepisodewasfirstreleased. (July)2016
__________________________________________________________________StrangerThingsStudyBooklet©JonMeier 24
*****TABLEOFCONTENTS*****
UsethisbookletforRevision.Itcoversthefollowingareas:Page1:Plotsummary¬esPage5:HowEpisode1grabstheaudience(12points–howmanycanyouremember)Page7:Whoarethetargetaudiences?(5audiencecategories)Page7:ResearchNetflixactivityPage7:Genreelements(10types)Page8:ProductiondetailsPage8:TheorylinksactivityPage8:Propp'scharactertypesactivityPage9:Representationsactivity–children,adultsandplaces.Page10:AfewkeyproductionfactsPage11:Episode1QuizPage12:Mainthemes(4maincategories)Page13&14:QuestionsaboutthearticlesonthefollowingpagesPage15:Article1–EvidenceofitssuccessandreasonsforitssuccessPage16:Article2-ImportanceoffandomasSeason2launchesPage17:Article3–GlobalsuccessandlocalizationPage19:Article4–NetflixandAmazon'sdominancePage20:Article5–ST'ssuccess;adaptedfromRadioTimesPage22:SampleexamquestionsandgeneralquestionsPage23:Episode1quizanswers
RevisiontipMakesureyoucanwriteabout'StrangerThings'intermsof:
• Medialanguage(form,narrative,genre,codes&conventions)• MediaAudiences(includethemesmessagesandideologies)• MediaIndustries• MediaRepresentations
Aimfor200-300wordsineachsection.
Top Related