Analysing Stranger Things
Mise En Scene
C.L.A.M.P.S
Costume
Lighting
Actors
Make-Up
Props
Setting
- The Byers' home is consistently in dim lighting with a dull 80s interior along with their brown/grey clothing connotes the poverty and struggle they have in their life.
- Benny's Diner is a stereotype for a typical suburban diner - a quiet place to eat that has only a few loyal customers but is a town hub to converse and meet with friends (as seen with Benny and the old boys that sit together).
- Pathetic Fallacy throughout the woodland scenes, the rain and thunder tell the audience that something bad is going to happen or happening, keeping the audience tense through the mysterious moments.
- Torches shining in Eleven's face have connotations of sci-fi and discovering an alien (linking with ET).
- The yellow phone in the Byers home stands out from the other dull props in the house, highlighting this is an important prop as it is the only communication gateway between Joyce Byers and Will.
Camera
F.A.M
Frame - (Long shot, Extreme long shot, Medium shot, Medium close up, Close up, Extreme close up)
Angle - (Eye level, Bird's eye, Worm's eye, Low angle, High angle)
Movement - (Pan, Tilt, Zoom, Arc, Tracking, Crabbing, Crane)
- Mid shots of Jonathan and Joyce on the sofa highlights the closeness and togetherness they have in the situation they are in. Their relationship is strong.
- Extreme close up of phone shows the panic and the lack of control Joyce has in the situation.
- High angle of social worker with Benny highlights the Patriarchy.
- Majority of camera shots with the young characters are eye level to direct the audience into engaging with these characters. For example with the three boys to go on the mysterious adventure with them.
Editing
S.T.O.P.S
Screen Time
Transitions
Order of Narrative
Pace
Special Effects
- Sound effect of an electric bang on the phone connotes that Will could be in danger, thus panicking Joyce and potentially having the same effect on the audience.
- When Connie shoots Benny in the Diner, the pace of the cuts begins to increase to show the danger and panic Eleven is in now as she is being chased by Government authorities. This increase of pace has an effect on the audience as they don't want Eleven to get caught, urging her to be quick in her escape.
- Jump cuts in Nancy's room highlight the close proximity and the romance and intimacy that's blossoming between her and Steve.
- There are multiple narratives happening in the first episode underlining the typical conventions of Long Form TV Drama. (Steve and Nancy romance, Mystery of Will Byers etc).
Sound
M.C.D.O.V.E.D
Music
Contrapuntal
Diegetic/Non Diegetic
On Screen/Off Screen
Voiceover
Emotion
Dialogue
- Non diegetic contrapuntal song (White Rabbit Jefferson) starts after Connie shoots Benny in the Diner. Volume increases along with pace of shots as Eleven runs away to culminate an overall sense of panic.
- Africa Toto is contrapuntal as it is an 80s themed song and highlights the romance in Nancy's bedroom between her and Steve.
- Off screen sound of Benny washing his pans in the diner to on screen of Benny actually washing them.
- Diegetic dialogue when Benny says "You don't sound the same as you did on the phone", this portrays the suspicion Benny already has towards the situation which rubs off onto the audience too.
- On screen diegetic sounds of a mysterious creature breathing/communicating when Joyce is on the phone to what potentially could be Will. Causing confusion and mystery as the audience are unaware and not sure as to what is on the other end of the phone.
- Non diegetic Sci-Fi instrumental emphasises the tension when the boys meet Eleven and are unaware of what she is and who she is.
C.L.A.M.P.S
Costume
Lighting
Actors
Make-Up
Props
Setting
- The Byers' home is consistently in dim lighting with a dull 80s interior along with their brown/grey clothing connotes the poverty and struggle they have in their life.
- Benny's Diner is a stereotype for a typical suburban diner - a quiet place to eat that has only a few loyal customers but is a town hub to converse and meet with friends (as seen with Benny and the old boys that sit together).
- Pathetic Fallacy throughout the woodland scenes, the rain and thunder tell the audience that something bad is going to happen or happening, keeping the audience tense through the mysterious moments.
- Torches shining in Eleven's face have connotations of sci-fi and discovering an alien (linking with ET).
- The yellow phone in the Byers home stands out from the other dull props in the house, highlighting this is an important prop as it is the only communication gateway between Joyce Byers and Will.
Camera
F.A.M
Frame - (Long shot, Extreme long shot, Medium shot, Medium close up, Close up, Extreme close up)
Angle - (Eye level, Bird's eye, Worm's eye, Low angle, High angle)
Movement - (Pan, Tilt, Zoom, Arc, Tracking, Crabbing, Crane)
- Mid shots of Jonathan and Joyce on the sofa highlights the closeness and togetherness they have in the situation they are in. Their relationship is strong.
- Extreme close up of phone shows the panic and the lack of control Joyce has in the situation.
- High angle of social worker with Benny highlights the Patriarchy.
- Majority of camera shots with the young characters are eye level to direct the audience into engaging with these characters. For example with the three boys to go on the mysterious adventure with them.
Editing
S.T.O.P.S
Screen Time
Transitions
Order of Narrative
Pace
Special Effects
- Sound effect of an electric bang on the phone connotes that Will could be in danger, thus panicking Joyce and potentially having the same effect on the audience.
- When Connie shoots Benny in the Diner, the pace of the cuts begins to increase to show the danger and panic Eleven is in now as she is being chased by Government authorities. This increase of pace has an effect on the audience as they don't want Eleven to get caught, urging her to be quick in her escape.
- Jump cuts in Nancy's room highlight the close proximity and the romance and intimacy that's blossoming between her and Steve.
- There are multiple narratives happening in the first episode underlining the typical conventions of Long Form TV Drama. (Steve and Nancy romance, Mystery of Will Byers etc).
Sound
M.C.D.O.V.E.D
Music
Contrapuntal
Diegetic/Non Diegetic
On Screen/Off Screen
Voiceover
Emotion
Dialogue
- Non diegetic contrapuntal song (White Rabbit Jefferson) starts after Connie shoots Benny in the Diner. Volume increases along with pace of shots as Eleven runs away to culminate an overall sense of panic.
- Africa Toto is contrapuntal as it is an 80s themed song and highlights the romance in Nancy's bedroom between her and Steve.
- Off screen sound of Benny washing his pans in the diner to on screen of Benny actually washing them.
- Diegetic dialogue when Benny says "You don't sound the same as you did on the phone", this portrays the suspicion Benny already has towards the situation which rubs off onto the audience too.
- On screen diegetic sounds of a mysterious creature breathing/communicating when Joyce is on the phone to what potentially could be Will. Causing confusion and mystery as the audience are unaware and not sure as to what is on the other end of the phone.
- Non diegetic Sci-Fi instrumental emphasises the tension when the boys meet Eleven and are unaware of what she is and who she is.
Deutschland 83
Season 1 Episode 1 - 'Quantum Jump'.
This show emphasises verisimilitude to attract a mature audience interested in history.
- Binary opposite - Iron Fist and Hippie peace sign show the contrast between the power and control the East have compared to the freedom and peace the West have. (Dictatorship vs Love).
- Fruit bunch represents the variety of fruit the West can consume, representing the variety they have in their life.
- Green grass - Cement. Representing the lack of life the East have. Nothing can naturally grow because everything is being controlled by the Stasi.
- Colour vs Dull.
- Uniform - Army vs casual free jacket and white top.
This show emphasises verisimilitude to attract a mature audience interested in history.
- Binary opposite - Iron Fist and Hippie peace sign show the contrast between the power and control the East have compared to the freedom and peace the West have. (Dictatorship vs Love).
- Fruit bunch represents the variety of fruit the West can consume, representing the variety they have in their life.
- Green grass - Cement. Representing the lack of life the East have. Nothing can naturally grow because everything is being controlled by the Stasi.
- Colour vs Dull.
- Uniform - Army vs casual free jacket and white top.
Life in East Germany in the 80s
Overall Context of East/West Germany
- Germany was divided into 2 parts - Eastern and Western Germany. Including the Capital city Berlin.
- Western Germany (left side) was a capitalist modern culture that allowed space and freedom of speech to a certain extent.
- Eastern Germany (right side) was being controlled by The Stasi (secret police) and they wanted a structured society where people were monitored for what they do and say. People had to cautiously think about their actions otherwise there would be serious consequences.
- People were allowed to move freely between the two up until 1961. This closure of free movement meant that families were split and a 87 mile concrete wall was built to divide the two parts. Including 176 watch towers.
- There was part of the border called the Death Strip, anyone who entered would be killed immediately.
- Checkpoints were placed to allow mostly UK and US citizens through. The most famous was Checkpoint Charlie, used by Americans.
- The wall stood for a total of 26 years, before people became angry and critical of the wall. Even American president "Ronald Reegan" stated in a speech "Tear down this wall!".
- Many Eastern Germans protested after this which resulted in them tearing down the wall and destroying it using their own hands.
General Life
Residents of East Germany were being constantly surveyed and monitored, so they had to be cautious on what they said and where they said it. It was common for people to speak their mind at home in front of families where they were trusted but would agree with the system when in a public place or workplace. Examples of this would include watching western television at home but not mentioning it in school.
Economy and Shopping
Economically, the salaries in the East were very low but with common life essentials being cheap. For example everyone could afford bread and rent as it was deemed necessities to survive in Eastern culture (all equal, food and shelter should be affordable). This meant that anything outside of the Eastern culture was expensive, like if a shop received desired goods from the Western side, there would be a long queue to get the item as it was rare and everything wanted something different rather than the same selection they got regularly. People wouldn't even know what they were queueing for, they just saw a long line and assumed that it was something good. There was copious amounts of trading and back street dealing between teenagers and youngsters that would use their own prices to swap forbidden items. Items like chocolate, meat and butter were scarce.
Equality
As the Eastern culture wanted equality, equal rights were good during the time - women worked and child-care was available and affordable. There was no Unemployment, and even if people didn't have jobs, they would invent work to keep them from being idle.
Benefits that the GDR offered
Although the DDR/GDR (German Democratic Republic) controlled a lot of what citizens lives, they did offer many benefits which included: work, support, free health care, places in nurseries and schools and affordable houses.
Fun and Music
Music was censored as the government saw the lyrics to some music was used as dissent, so the only legal music was in German. If people wanted to listen to anything different they'd have to go to the 'black market' or street dealers to do so. Theatres was the most common leisure type.
Education
Russian was the main language taught in schools as it was the main tongue of Eastern Europe. Children were taught etiquette, simple politeness and teamwork.
Lack of Freedom
People wanted to escape the East as they felt like they were trapped and controlled by the government; they had to freedom to their life. Their work, their social life and what they said and did was monitored by the government, and one slip up would consequently result in major punishment. They wanted to escape so they could free their opinions and views without being scared of being punished or imprisoned.
Were there Anomalies
Yes, of course not everyone in the East had the same opinion of not liking the system. It was common to find people who enjoyed the structural lifestyle, as it gave them stability because the GDR gave out jobs, homes, childcare and other benefits.
- Germany was divided into 2 parts - Eastern and Western Germany. Including the Capital city Berlin.
- Western Germany (left side) was a capitalist modern culture that allowed space and freedom of speech to a certain extent.
- Eastern Germany (right side) was being controlled by The Stasi (secret police) and they wanted a structured society where people were monitored for what they do and say. People had to cautiously think about their actions otherwise there would be serious consequences.
- People were allowed to move freely between the two up until 1961. This closure of free movement meant that families were split and a 87 mile concrete wall was built to divide the two parts. Including 176 watch towers.
- There was part of the border called the Death Strip, anyone who entered would be killed immediately.
- Checkpoints were placed to allow mostly UK and US citizens through. The most famous was Checkpoint Charlie, used by Americans.
- The wall stood for a total of 26 years, before people became angry and critical of the wall. Even American president "Ronald Reegan" stated in a speech "Tear down this wall!".
- Many Eastern Germans protested after this which resulted in them tearing down the wall and destroying it using their own hands.
General Life
Residents of East Germany were being constantly surveyed and monitored, so they had to be cautious on what they said and where they said it. It was common for people to speak their mind at home in front of families where they were trusted but would agree with the system when in a public place or workplace. Examples of this would include watching western television at home but not mentioning it in school.
Economy and Shopping
Economically, the salaries in the East were very low but with common life essentials being cheap. For example everyone could afford bread and rent as it was deemed necessities to survive in Eastern culture (all equal, food and shelter should be affordable). This meant that anything outside of the Eastern culture was expensive, like if a shop received desired goods from the Western side, there would be a long queue to get the item as it was rare and everything wanted something different rather than the same selection they got regularly. People wouldn't even know what they were queueing for, they just saw a long line and assumed that it was something good. There was copious amounts of trading and back street dealing between teenagers and youngsters that would use their own prices to swap forbidden items. Items like chocolate, meat and butter were scarce.
Equality
As the Eastern culture wanted equality, equal rights were good during the time - women worked and child-care was available and affordable. There was no Unemployment, and even if people didn't have jobs, they would invent work to keep them from being idle.
Benefits that the GDR offered
Although the DDR/GDR (German Democratic Republic) controlled a lot of what citizens lives, they did offer many benefits which included: work, support, free health care, places in nurseries and schools and affordable houses.
Fun and Music
Music was censored as the government saw the lyrics to some music was used as dissent, so the only legal music was in German. If people wanted to listen to anything different they'd have to go to the 'black market' or street dealers to do so. Theatres was the most common leisure type.
Education
Russian was the main language taught in schools as it was the main tongue of Eastern Europe. Children were taught etiquette, simple politeness and teamwork.
Lack of Freedom
People wanted to escape the East as they felt like they were trapped and controlled by the government; they had to freedom to their life. Their work, their social life and what they said and did was monitored by the government, and one slip up would consequently result in major punishment. They wanted to escape so they could free their opinions and views without being scared of being punished or imprisoned.
Were there Anomalies
Yes, of course not everyone in the East had the same opinion of not liking the system. It was common to find people who enjoyed the structural lifestyle, as it gave them stability because the GDR gave out jobs, homes, childcare and other benefits.
Essay
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?
In the first episode of Stranger Things, we are introduced to a multitude of social groups that the audience can relate to. The social groups found in the series include: American cops, teenagers and government officials and are all stereotyped in the American culture in which they are based in.
Firstly, we have a major change in representation with the Government officials. At the start of the episode the audience is falsely introduced to 'social services' that will come to Benny's diner and collect Eleven, a troubled, lost child. However, this representation is quickly changed when these people come to the diner and shoot Benny out of cold blood to get to Eleven. The audience is left confused regarding the situation and quite frankly saddened that Benny has been murdered. Benny was introduced as a kind, gentle man who took in Eleven and fed and gave her temporary shelter. The low-angle shots used when government officials storm into the diner create the representation of an in balance in power, like the officials are superior to anyone they come across. The negative representations the audience receive from these government bodies is an example of constructed realism as the audience understand straight away that they should fear these powerful figures.
Furthermore, another representation that is portrayed throughout the first episode of Stranger Things is that of teenagers. We see a group of nerdy male teenagers who follow a typical stereotype of young boys in an American culture. In private they enjoy fantasy board games for hours and hours, where they can escape into their own world, whilst at school, they enjoy science lessons but get bullied for their 'outcast' behaviour. The bullying scenes consist of medium/long shots and have the three main characters, Mike, Dustin and Lucas standing in a line whilst they are being picked on by two other boys. This scene is important as we focus on the three boys being bullied whilst the other kids just walk past and ignore it, just like today's society. So it can be said there is a representation amongst the bullying scenes of a stereotypical world where everyone just walks past the problems that other people have to face. This contrasts the boys, as they try and solve a major problem in the series that can have a devastating affect on the whole world.
Furthermore, another teenage representation we see is through Nancy Wheeler. She is initially portrayed as a sweet, innocent and smart student that sticks to the rules of not only school but society. However this representation quickly breaks down as she is introduced to Steve Harrington, a bad boy, sports hunk who whisks her away with his good looks and charm. Nancy then develops into a representation of a teenage girl who is being used for sex and her looks as she is peer pressured into things her conscience doesn't want to do, but proceeds to do it to boost her social popularity,
In the first episode of Stranger Things, we are introduced to a multitude of social groups that the audience can relate to. The social groups found in the series include: American cops, teenagers and government officials and are all stereotyped in the American culture in which they are based in.
Firstly, we have a major change in representation with the Government officials. At the start of the episode the audience is falsely introduced to 'social services' that will come to Benny's diner and collect Eleven, a troubled, lost child. However, this representation is quickly changed when these people come to the diner and shoot Benny out of cold blood to get to Eleven. The audience is left confused regarding the situation and quite frankly saddened that Benny has been murdered. Benny was introduced as a kind, gentle man who took in Eleven and fed and gave her temporary shelter. The low-angle shots used when government officials storm into the diner create the representation of an in balance in power, like the officials are superior to anyone they come across. The negative representations the audience receive from these government bodies is an example of constructed realism as the audience understand straight away that they should fear these powerful figures.
Furthermore, another representation that is portrayed throughout the first episode of Stranger Things is that of teenagers. We see a group of nerdy male teenagers who follow a typical stereotype of young boys in an American culture. In private they enjoy fantasy board games for hours and hours, where they can escape into their own world, whilst at school, they enjoy science lessons but get bullied for their 'outcast' behaviour. The bullying scenes consist of medium/long shots and have the three main characters, Mike, Dustin and Lucas standing in a line whilst they are being picked on by two other boys. This scene is important as we focus on the three boys being bullied whilst the other kids just walk past and ignore it, just like today's society. So it can be said there is a representation amongst the bullying scenes of a stereotypical world where everyone just walks past the problems that other people have to face. This contrasts the boys, as they try and solve a major problem in the series that can have a devastating affect on the whole world.
Furthermore, another teenage representation we see is through Nancy Wheeler. She is initially portrayed as a sweet, innocent and smart student that sticks to the rules of not only school but society. However this representation quickly breaks down as she is introduced to Steve Harrington, a bad boy, sports hunk who whisks her away with his good looks and charm. Nancy then develops into a representation of a teenage girl who is being used for sex and her looks as she is peer pressured into things her conscience doesn't want to do, but proceeds to do it to boost her social popularity,
Stranger Things Intertextuality
Stand By Me is from a children's perspective, and this scene links as it shows the children being rebellious walking on a train track during one of their many adventures.
The Goonies links to Stranger Things as again it's from a child's point of view and Dustin is compared to one of the main characters in the Goonies pictured on the right.
Eleven in Stranger Things is compared to the Alien in ET from the shots used. For example, this midrange shot which both contain a frightened facial expression as their faces are being lit up via a flashlight. In addition, another connection between the two are that Eleven attempted to be hidden from the government, like ET who is dressed up in a costume and hidden on the bike chase.
Introduction to Stranger Things
Stranger Things is set in 1983 and focuses on the story of a group children that search for their missing friend. During their search, they come across an unusual girl with supernatural powers. Throughout the series, the group find mysteries regarding their small town, including: government secrets, supernatural forces and people with powers.
Facts about Stranger Things
- Created by Ross and Matt Duffer (brothers).
- First aired in July 2016.
- The first season cost $6million per episode. There was 8 episodes.
- The show pays homage to ET mainly with links also to the Goonies, Gremlins and Ghostbusters.
- Set in a 1980s nostalgic theme.
- Winona Ryder who plays Will's mother is a famous actress from the 1980s. Showing further links from the show to the 80s.
- Rejected by most mainstream media outlets and networks.
- Netflix took on Stranger Things due to the risky genre which fits with Netflix's other programmes.
- Series 1 left on an unsolved mystery so it was a perfect way to entice the audience into watching the second series.
- Series 1 had a focus on boardgames, whereas series 2 focuses on Video Games.
- The character Eleven can be compared to ET.
Introduction to Long Form TV Drama
What is a TV Drama?
A TV Drama is a series of episodes that create a narrative and tell a story to an audience.
Network Television
- Access to everyone. Therefore there is more exposure, so the content must be conservative/viewer conscious.
- Examples of US Network Broadcasters are NBC and CBS.
- They are controlled by a federal regulation that moderate if the broadcasters are satisfying their advertisers.
Cable Television
- Started in the 1970s.
- Consumers pay extra for this service.
- The first US subscription cable channel was HBO.
- A difference between cable and network is that cable have the ability to take more risks with the content they show.
- For example, The Sopranos featured on cable in the 2000s and was a very raunchy show. The risk paid off, and The Sopranos won various awards.
UK TV Drama
- Compared to the US drama, UK's drama is more conservative and less risk taking. Therefore there hasn't been a challenge mounted to the US cable channels regarding long form drama.
- BBC and ITV has been successful with their soaps (Coronation Street/Emmerdale/Eastenders) and relied on the same drama genre. In the 90s a show called 'The Bill', focusing on Police, was highly successful, however the plugged was pulled in 2010. The show began in 1984.
Viewing On Demand (VOD) via Subscription
- Television viewing still dominates any other method of viewing in the UK. Although this could change in the future due to the rise of technology (Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets), all offering On Demand.
- 3/4 UK households have Personal Video Recording which allows users to record a programme and watch it whenever suits them.
- Streaming and Streaming on Demand is becoming much more popular. For example, the rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV.
- Netflix is the most used. 24% of the UK with 5 million subscribers.
Why do Audiences choose to watch Long Form TV Drama?
- The multiple episodes and series culminates to years of entertainment which overall creates and emotional connection/bond between the show and the audience. The audience will begin to feel emotions towards the characters e.g care for them, hate them etc.
- High quality narrative and storyline which engages audiences.
- Contains some of the worlds best writers and actors.
- Specific genres.
- Easy to follow narratives.
- Ability to catch up, record and watch on demand if an episode is missed.
Genres
- Horror
- Comedy
- Mystery
- Thriller
- Crime
- Drama
Themes
- Relationships
- War
- Location (Local Town/Pub/Football Club/Community/Village)
- Murder
- Family
Characters
- The characters in LFTVD must be interesting and relatable as this character will be watched for a plethora of hours so the audience must be engaged with them.
Factors for Successful TV Dramas
- High production values.
- An hour long episode per week.
- Familiar characters with a slow introduction of new characters that are interesting and relatable.
- Dramatic Cliff Hangers that keep the audience wondering what is going to happen next, and even ask people what they think too. This helps to spread word of the TV Drama and get more viewers. This can be over Twitter or through small chat at work.
- Various locations and scenes.
- Multiple small narratives within a large main narrative.
A TV Drama is a series of episodes that create a narrative and tell a story to an audience.
Network Television
- Access to everyone. Therefore there is more exposure, so the content must be conservative/viewer conscious.
- Examples of US Network Broadcasters are NBC and CBS.
- They are controlled by a federal regulation that moderate if the broadcasters are satisfying their advertisers.
Cable Television
- Started in the 1970s.
- Consumers pay extra for this service.
- The first US subscription cable channel was HBO.
- A difference between cable and network is that cable have the ability to take more risks with the content they show.
- For example, The Sopranos featured on cable in the 2000s and was a very raunchy show. The risk paid off, and The Sopranos won various awards.
UK TV Drama
- Compared to the US drama, UK's drama is more conservative and less risk taking. Therefore there hasn't been a challenge mounted to the US cable channels regarding long form drama.
- BBC and ITV has been successful with their soaps (Coronation Street/Emmerdale/Eastenders) and relied on the same drama genre. In the 90s a show called 'The Bill', focusing on Police, was highly successful, however the plugged was pulled in 2010. The show began in 1984.
Viewing On Demand (VOD) via Subscription
- Television viewing still dominates any other method of viewing in the UK. Although this could change in the future due to the rise of technology (Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets), all offering On Demand.
- 3/4 UK households have Personal Video Recording which allows users to record a programme and watch it whenever suits them.
- Streaming and Streaming on Demand is becoming much more popular. For example, the rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV.
- Netflix is the most used. 24% of the UK with 5 million subscribers.
Why do Audiences choose to watch Long Form TV Drama?
- The multiple episodes and series culminates to years of entertainment which overall creates and emotional connection/bond between the show and the audience. The audience will begin to feel emotions towards the characters e.g care for them, hate them etc.
- High quality narrative and storyline which engages audiences.
- Contains some of the worlds best writers and actors.
- Specific genres.
- Easy to follow narratives.
- Ability to catch up, record and watch on demand if an episode is missed.
Genres
- Horror
- Comedy
- Mystery
- Thriller
- Crime
- Drama
Themes
- Relationships
- War
- Location (Local Town/Pub/Football Club/Community/Village)
- Murder
- Family
Characters
- The characters in LFTVD must be interesting and relatable as this character will be watched for a plethora of hours so the audience must be engaged with them.
Factors for Successful TV Dramas
- High production values.
- An hour long episode per week.
- Familiar characters with a slow introduction of new characters that are interesting and relatable.
- Dramatic Cliff Hangers that keep the audience wondering what is going to happen next, and even ask people what they think too. This helps to spread word of the TV Drama and get more viewers. This can be over Twitter or through small chat at work.
- Various locations and scenes.
- Multiple small narratives within a large main narrative.
Summer Work
Year 13 Summer Work Timeline:
15th March 2011 - Now (Syrian War): An uprising against the president of Syria turned into a civil war. Over 350,000 dead and millions of refugees needing assistance.
12th May 2016 (Immigration Act) - Introducing new sanctions on illegal workers.
16th June 2016 (Jo Cox Assassination) - Labour part member shot and stabbed multiple times.
23rd June 2016 (Brexit Referendum) - 51.9% voted leave and 48.1% voted remain.
24th June 2016 (Cameron Resigns) - David Cameron resigns from his Prime Minister role due to the result of Brexit.
13th July 2016 (Theresa May) - Theresa May becomes Prime Minister.
4th August 2016 (Charlie Gard) - Charlie Gard was born with MDDS. He raised and exceeded a total of £1.3million to send him over to the USA for treatment.
8th November 2016 (Trump vs Clinton) - Donald Trump received more votes (306) from the public of USA than Hillary Clinton (232).
November 2016 (Football Sex Abuse Scandal) - Footballers spoke publicly about being sexually abused by managers, coaches and scouts in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
22nd March 2017 (Westminster Attack) - A Terrorist drove a car onto the pavement of Westminster Bridge hitting pedestrians. Killing 5 and injury over 50.
22nd May 2017 (Manchester Attack) - A Terrorist suicide bombed himself at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester killing 23 and wounding 139.
3rd June 2017 (London Bridge Attack) - A Terrorist rammed people with a van on the London Bridge, then went on a stabbing-spree in Borough Market. 8 people killed and 48 injured.
8th June 2017 (General Election) - Conservative won with 297 seats. Labour 227 seats. Lib Dem 8 seats. Green Party 1 seat.
10th June 2017 (Queen's Birthday) - Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday.
14th June 2017 (Grenfell Tower Fire) - A fire broke out in a 24 storey flat in Kensington. 72 people died, 70 injured and 223 escapees.
19th June 2017 (Finsbury Mosque) - A Terrorist attack which involved a man from Cardiff ramming people down in Finsbury injury 8 and killing 1.
July - September (NHS Strikes) - NHS employees, mostly Doctors and Nurses strike due to contract disagreement.
October 2017 (#MeToo Campaign) - An online movement against sexual harassment and assault.
27th November 2017 (Royal Engagement) - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce they are getting engaged.
2018 (Windrush Scandal) - Political scandal. People who were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, threatened with deportation. 63 cases where people were wrongly deported from the UK.
Stats regarding Youth Aggression in London (between July 2017 and July 2018) - Drugs (38,222), Violence (278,135), Sexual Offence (22,287), Burglary (85,369), TOTAL CRIMES (903,940)
Forms and Conventions of a Music Video
Forms and Conventions:
- Performance
- Narrative
- Concept
A music video is an advertisement for a new song for an artists new album.
Music videos are normally 3-5 mins long, contain quick cuts, erotic imagery and computer graphics.
- Performance
- Narrative
- Concept
A music video is an advertisement for a new song for an artists new album.
Music videos are normally 3-5 mins long, contain quick cuts, erotic imagery and computer graphics.
Shelter
What Does Shelter Do?
- Gives people help and advice on finding homes and keeping them. Therefore, naturally the advert will be aimed towards the working class audience (D and E).
- Gets to the root of the problem.
The 2011 Shelter campaign ran for 6 weeks in hotspots for housing problems. It used direct mode of address (looking straight into the camera), dull and emotionless characters.
- Gets to the root of the problem.
The 2011 Shelter campaign ran for 6 weeks in hotspots for housing problems. It used direct mode of address (looking straight into the camera), dull and emotionless characters.
Media Vocab
The Big Issue
Magazine Language:
- Images.
- Colours.
- Power of Word.
- Logo.
- Font (Typography).
Social, Cultural and Political.
Masthead - title of magazine.
Plug - text that plugs a feature in the magazine.
Puff - a story that is given prominence.
Anchorage text - gives the main image meaning.
Skyline - text that runs across the page.
Banner - same as skyline just at the bottom.
Relies on advertising, sponsorship and circulation revenue.
Charity Ad
Charity Campaigns:
- Target Audience ABC.
- Using vulnerable human beings (children) as its not their fault for being in that situation.
- Plays on heart strings.
We are losing empathy, because heavy exposure to violence in the media. Numbs us.
Children are exposed to about 5 violent scenes a day, leading to the acceptance of violence and seeing the subject as a normal thing.
Therefore, charities have to make the adverts more extreme to hit the audience with effect
Generic Codes and Conventions of charity ads:
- Creation of sympathy (facts and stats).
- Creation of empathy.
- Shock - make you feel you have to contribute.
- Charity name.
- Slogan.
- Use of colour (dull dark colours to create the overall sad, damp mood of the advert).
- Web address.
Lucozade
History Of The Brand
Lucozade is a sports drink created 1927 in the UK by Thomas Beecham, and is sold all over Britain.
For the first two years it was called Glucozade, a spin off from the sugar based substance 'Glucose'.
However, in 1929, the company chose to change the name to Lucozade. Due to these minor changes, sales actuall began to increase.
When the company first began, they're target audience was those who were ill, therefore Lucozade was seen and produced as a medicinal drink. However, in 1985 the drink started to be consumed by not just those who are ill, but by everyone.
The company were mainly using the flavours Orange and Lemon for all their drinks, but by the turn of the new century, they adapted to a plethra of new flavours, including: Mango and Passion Fruit, Brazilian Guava, Lemon and Lime, Caribbean Burst, Raspberry and finally their original flavour, Orange.
Since 2003, Lucozade has focused on keeping the brand healthy through the production of various forms of Lucozade which include: Lucozade Sport, Lucozade Lite, Lucozade Elite, Lucozade Sport Low Calorie and Lucozade Sport Fit Water.
Analysing The Campaign
Lucozade used famous athletes Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain so they acted as role models to the 'young-ish' target audience and people looking at this adverts. These two figures would be heavily seen throughout the sporting industry, more specifically football. Therefore, it was important for Lucozade to hire two well recognisable iconic people from the sport.
Both Bale and Chamberlain are being used in the campaign to support the claim that Lucozade Sport drinks help sports participants across the UK improve their endurance performance, by drinking the soft drink instead of water. They recommend participants consume the drink before and during their sporting activities.
Steven Spinola, senior brand manager at Lucozade Sport, said: "The 'I Believe' campaign will reinforce and claim our belief that Lucozade Sport hydrates and fuels people better than water. Combining our scientific expertise with product innovation, athletes across the UK will be helped to reach their sporting potential through the consumption of Lucozade Sport."
A large part of the 'I Belive' advertisement is the integration of social media and the product. The hashtag "I Believe" was created to get the Lucozade drink trending on social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This mean that advertisement for the product would spread worldwide through the free, no cost use of social media. The personal pronoun, "I" makes the reader put themselves in the famous Gareth Bales shoes, making them boost their self esteem to do well and become a successful athlete. In addition, with the stern face he is pulling, the reader sees the 'want' in his eyes.
Lucozade have their own Facebook and Twitter page in order to grow their brand and advertise their products to the millions of users daily, not only in the UK and Ireland, but worldwide. On Facebook, the company has 610 thousand likes, on Twitter, nearly 45 thousand followers. And finally, newly on Instagram, 10 thousand followers.
Date of the campaign - the advert was first shown to the public on July 30th 2013. This was during the time that Gareth Bale (the main star of the advert) was pushing through a move to Real Madrid.
A year later in the week of 8th January 2014 the advert was banned because of the complaints about the product "hydrating better than water". It received a total of 63 complaints including one to the National Hydration Council, suggesting it broke advertising rules. So due to the small amount of complaints, the advert was banned.
Old Spice
Introduction to Old Spice:
- History - Old Spice, created in 1934 started producing women's products, called "Early American". Four years later, Old Spice turned to men's products and created a Nautical themed aftershave and other products. This theme stereotyped the typical man (being a sailor) having physical and mental strength to be out at sea, battling against the bad weather and away from family.
- Aims of the Campaign - Old Spice wanted to create a new target audience. Previously they were advertising to 40 - 60 year olds, but after assessing market trends, they targeted a new audience of 18-34 year olds. The aim of this advert is to portray to the male audience that the middle aged man can not only smell like the Bahamas, but become it. Hence why he is the volcano.
- Dates and Times of the Campaign - Advertising started around the early 2011 period.
- Use of Social Media - Old Spice is using all three of the main social media outlets. They have to in order to "keep with the times" and up to date to increase their sale numbers. Using social media has its advantages as its essentially free advertising. They are able to tweet, upload pictures or photos on an Old Spice account, and followers will see this and like and react to the products online. This could lead to future purchase from those followers, making them customers. On Instagram, Old Spice has 105,000 followers. On Twitter, Old Spice has 216,300 followers. Lastly, on Facebook, the company has a total of 2.6 million likes, a lot more followers compared to the other two. This is most likely because Facebook is generally used by the older generations compared to Twitter and Instagram. Furthermore, it's also fitting because the Old Spice brand is targeted/was targeted toward the older audience.
- Representations of males - Males are meant to be confident, in the best body shape, and most importantly; smell nice. The representation of masculinity in the commercials and print adverts was a key factor in the campaigns success. Being built with muscle represents the women's conception of a perfect partner.
- Representation of the brand - The brand is represented as a fresh, new modern fragrance for the usual middle age male users.
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