Stranger Things Episode 1 – Scene by Scene

Scene Name	Screengrab	What happens	Key features and terms - DISTINCT and camera, editing, mise en scene, sound, themes	Meaning - why, how?
Opening Scene – Hawkins Laboratory		Scientist running down corridor Gets into the lift to escape Scientist snatched by unknown thing	Eye level Scared frightened. Dark sinister lighting with three harsh spot lights above almost looking down on the scientist. Corridors could resemble a hospital Harsh clean bangs with heavy breathing	So we can feel the emotions as if we are equal, more personal. Make him vulnerable. So then can resemble death and makes the viewer feel uneasy. Improving the sense of tension.
Boys playing Dungeons and Dragons		Mike is the DM and introduces the Demogorgon The boys try to ‘fight it’ by rolling a dice to attack with a fireball	This scene is eye-level The warm lighting helps contrast from the cold monochrome lighting of the last scene The sound is of children’s voice which is soft and innocent	Making us feel at one with the kids giving us that perspective as we are watching us making us feel like little kids again playing a game with our friends. Making us feel everything is happy and okay. To suggest everything is okay.
Mike talks with his mother		Game took ten hours Disinterest of the mother Ignored by the father	Normal plain lighting The fact that the father is distant in the background further The mother in the foreground The small child is made to look and feel small by the camera	Means generic family scene. Involves the fact that he has a distant relationship with the son as he continues to ignore him. Takes control yet still not interested in what the boy has to say Almost neglected to then show how he is feeling.
Boys find the dice		Boys find the dice – Will is ‘got’ by the Demogorgon Encouraged to lie	Dark only lit by a few specific lights Even though kids game the whispering and darker lighting	Creates mystery. Creates a spooky and eerie atmosphere further hinting the future.
Dustin goes to Nancy		Nancy is on the phone to Barb Dustin attempts to offer pizza Nancy slams the door	The backlight over Nancy The fact that the camera angle is over the shoulder of Dustin The lighting shows a break from the spookiness Door slamming	Can represent an angel like figure Makes us see his perspective and see what he feels and makes us sympathise. It’s a completely separate theme of romance and love. Shows the cut off of this sub-genre.
Cycling home		Flickering porch lights Will says “the Demogorgon, it got me” Will cycles off alone and falls from his bike – he is pursued	The flickering lights are classic stereotypical effects	Examples of a horror or thriller To enhance the themes of mystery.
Byers’s home		Chased through the house Silhouette of the Demogorgon at the window Telephone not working Will pursued to the shed where he is taken by the unseen monster	The harsh sounds of his footsteps, eerie sense of the not knowing Dark lighting Tracking of the boy Props not working showing the Demogorgon has control The end will be near for the boy	To enhance the tension that builds in the chase make us feel for the boy Makes us feel scared Makes us not want him to be hurt
Opening Credits		Red font Minor key increasing tempo music	The red title Increased tempo can also be heard a screeching getting near/ closer.	Provokes anger and pain dark and sinister colour combo with red and black The scratching could represent the Demogorgon
Hopper’s Home		Hopper waking up and getting ready Cigarettes, alcohol and prescription drugs	Cigarettes and alcohol props The camera from slightly below him looking at himself in the mirror Subtly lighting from a widow casting onto him	Shows he has a doesn’t care attitude Show he is a powerful and important character very strong. Could show a sense of a god like character.
Byer’s Home		Joyce Byers also getting ready Jonathan Byers cooking breakfast Joyce Byers ringing Mike's mum	Subtle and gentle lighting showing a slight overcast Eye level camera	The overcast could be shown to be the slight uncertainty over will Byers To show they just an ordinary family to relive that sense of the un-natural
Middle School		Boys confronted by bullies Will noticed to be missing	The below eye level camera and the perspective from bullies shows us the viewer standing back The fact that we are back from the action	As if there is nothing we can do making us feel sorry for the vulnerable boys Shows that nothing they can do to find will.
High School		Nancy and Barb talking dating Nancy and Steve talking about tests and studying Nancy and Steve in the bathroom
Police Station		Local police offices – Powell and Callaghan Hopper interacts with his colleagues
Joyce and Hopper		Talking about Will’s absence Hopper’s local knowledge Joyce’s concern for her son
Hawkins Lab		Dr Brenner’s first appearance Changing into Haz-Mat suits and arming themselves Upside Down portal
Benny’s Diner		11 arrives at Benny’s diner and steals food Is caught by Benny
Middle School		Teacher introducing the AV Club Boys talking to the teacher Interviewed by Hopper
Castle Byers		Flashback to Joyce and Will talking Back to present and he isn’t here
Benny’s Diner		Discussion with Eleven and her lack of speech Benny phones ‘social services’ Eleven reveals her powers
Hawkins Lab		People listening on local telephone conversations Implication that they are listening to Benny
Woods		Searching for Will Byers in the woods Discovery of Will’s bike
Byer’s House		Joyce Byers ringing ex-husband Hopper brings Will's bike to the Byers household Hopper checks the shed
Mike’s House		Mike’s house at the dinner table Different family relationships
Woods		Night search for Will Byers Hopper’s daughter discovered
Boys Houses		Discussion on walkie-talkies Plans to find Will Setting off on bikes
Nancy’s Room		Steve sneaking into Nancy’s room Study cards Kissing
Benny’s Diner		Female ‘social worker’ arrives Benny is shot Eleven is pursued and escapes Attacks the two government officials
Woods		Boys looking for Will
Nancy’s Room		Moved from studying to kissing Nancy argues with Steve Nancy throws Steve out
Byer’s Home		Joyce and Jonathan Byers reminiscing Will Byers? On the telephone
Woods		Boys discover Eleven