HOW IS THE REPESENTATION OF AGE CONSTRUCTED IN 'STRANGER THINGS'?
In 'Stranger Things', the typical childish stereotype is used throughout. The narrative follows a group of young boys, who are the main focus from the off-set. The establishing shot shows the house, then cuts to the basement where the boys are playing. A sequence of past-paced editing is then used, showcasing how seriously then boys are taking their made-up game; hence working with the childish stereotype. Shot-reverse-shots are also used to keep with the dialogue between the children, with each shot being of the pint-of-view of another child - helping to place them all equally. This idea is often used in modern concepts, with all minors being seen as one and not individuals.
The next shot is a low-angle shot, positioning the mother up the stairs; therefore placing the children and the audience on a lower level. This helps to give more authority to the mother, making the audience feel on the same hierarchal level as the boys. A similar authority is given in the next scene, the frame shows the boy in-between his two parents, with the shot showing all three of them. It then switches between the parents, using an over-the-shoulder shot, focusing on the boy between the two figures of authority.
In clip 1 there is a small scene where the teenage sister of one of the boys is present, though it still manages to use almost every single stereotypical view that teenagers are given. The shot is over-the-shoulder of one of Mike's friends, showing her lying on her bed whilst talking on the phone. Here, colloquial language is used, separating her conversations between friends and the ones she has at home. This typical image implies that she is the cliché teen, locked away in her room. The shot then zooms out, showing the view through her doorway. The door is then slammed, the diegetic sound being over the top, emphasising how she slammed the door. This is again a stereotypical thing for a teenager to do.
In the clip, the adults are given a place of authority, with them in control of everything that happens within the scenes. For example Mike's mum is heard calling them to finishing playing their made-up game. This may bring a nostalgic feel to the audience, taking them back to their 80's childhood, where their parents used to end their fun. The responsibility of the parents is heightened, when the lower camera angles are used, meaning that the audience is also looking up to the parents, as well as the children. This gives the adults a physical and mental dominance over the minors.
Within this second clip from Stranger Things, the established stereotypes are explored further. The shots switch between the two households, helping to emphasise the contrasts between the two environments. Firstly, the mother of the 'Byers' family is shown to be trying to be stereotypical controlling though also is completely dependent on her eldest son. This juxtaposition of personalities helps the audience understand how her character is portrayed as mad almost, over the disappearance of her son. The shot then cuts to Mike's household, with the image being the complete opposite, a larger house with obviously more wealth. The use of a sound bridge helps to link the two households together, with the audience able to hear the diegetic sound of both households throughout. Here the mother holds a much more overall stereotypical image. She is shown cooking the dinner and tidying up, all events which hold connotations of the 'housewife'. This presentation of empowerment and responsibility is shown through the use of over-the-shoulder shots; these give the audience the perspective of the child looking up to their mother.
The character of the Sheriff holds one of the most major stereotypical roles. An establishing shot of the outside of his house shows the audience how he likes to be out of the way, living alone. The next shot uses a wide angle, showcasing the inside of his home. This shot helps to maintain the stereotype of an overweight male living alone, alcohol and cigarettes are seen on the coffee table, with him lying asleep on the sofa. The next sequence is very cleverly done, with short cuts from one shot to another. The sequence following the man getting ready, the audience may presume at this point that he doesn't work as he has woken up hung over, and so is presented as not really looking after himself or his life. Though it then cuts to a close up of his chest, putting a shirt on, giving away that he is going to work, then the next shot is him strapping a gun to his belt, making the audience question his further action. Finally the final close up shot is of him putting on his badge, confirming to the audience that he is the towns sheriff. This representation of him in a position of power though with little grip on his own life is a common adult stereotype. However his character is also contrasting the stereotype of a police officer, with his unorganised personality.
The next shot is a low-angle shot, positioning the mother up the stairs; therefore placing the children and the audience on a lower level. This helps to give more authority to the mother, making the audience feel on the same hierarchal level as the boys. A similar authority is given in the next scene, the frame shows the boy in-between his two parents, with the shot showing all three of them. It then switches between the parents, using an over-the-shoulder shot, focusing on the boy between the two figures of authority.
In clip 1 there is a small scene where the teenage sister of one of the boys is present, though it still manages to use almost every single stereotypical view that teenagers are given. The shot is over-the-shoulder of one of Mike's friends, showing her lying on her bed whilst talking on the phone. Here, colloquial language is used, separating her conversations between friends and the ones she has at home. This typical image implies that she is the cliché teen, locked away in her room. The shot then zooms out, showing the view through her doorway. The door is then slammed, the diegetic sound being over the top, emphasising how she slammed the door. This is again a stereotypical thing for a teenager to do.
In the clip, the adults are given a place of authority, with them in control of everything that happens within the scenes. For example Mike's mum is heard calling them to finishing playing their made-up game. This may bring a nostalgic feel to the audience, taking them back to their 80's childhood, where their parents used to end their fun. The responsibility of the parents is heightened, when the lower camera angles are used, meaning that the audience is also looking up to the parents, as well as the children. This gives the adults a physical and mental dominance over the minors.
Within this second clip from Stranger Things, the established stereotypes are explored further. The shots switch between the two households, helping to emphasise the contrasts between the two environments. Firstly, the mother of the 'Byers' family is shown to be trying to be stereotypical controlling though also is completely dependent on her eldest son. This juxtaposition of personalities helps the audience understand how her character is portrayed as mad almost, over the disappearance of her son. The shot then cuts to Mike's household, with the image being the complete opposite, a larger house with obviously more wealth. The use of a sound bridge helps to link the two households together, with the audience able to hear the diegetic sound of both households throughout. Here the mother holds a much more overall stereotypical image. She is shown cooking the dinner and tidying up, all events which hold connotations of the 'housewife'. This presentation of empowerment and responsibility is shown through the use of over-the-shoulder shots; these give the audience the perspective of the child looking up to their mother.
The character of the Sheriff holds one of the most major stereotypical roles. An establishing shot of the outside of his house shows the audience how he likes to be out of the way, living alone. The next shot uses a wide angle, showcasing the inside of his home. This shot helps to maintain the stereotype of an overweight male living alone, alcohol and cigarettes are seen on the coffee table, with him lying asleep on the sofa. The next sequence is very cleverly done, with short cuts from one shot to another. The sequence following the man getting ready, the audience may presume at this point that he doesn't work as he has woken up hung over, and so is presented as not really looking after himself or his life. Though it then cuts to a close up of his chest, putting a shirt on, giving away that he is going to work, then the next shot is him strapping a gun to his belt, making the audience question his further action. Finally the final close up shot is of him putting on his badge, confirming to the audience that he is the towns sheriff. This representation of him in a position of power though with little grip on his own life is a common adult stereotype. However his character is also contrasting the stereotype of a police officer, with his unorganised personality.
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