Copy of Stranger Things Episode Walk Through

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	Dark lighting, loud harsh “bang” noises, followed by the sound of the scientist panting and the sound of his shoes squeaking. The lights flickering, camera zooms in on the scientists face. When in the lift the camera zooms in on him and we hear the deep croaks of the demogorgon, and the camera flits between him and the empty hallway. The scientist then looks up and the camera angle changes to the perspective of the demogorgon looking down at him, and then goes back to being in front of the man outside the lift.	lighting creates a scary atmosphere and fear, as well as loud harsh “bang” noises that creates jump scares for the audience, followed by the sound of the scientist panting and the sound of his shoes squeaking as he loses control while running. The lights flickering quickly also creates intensity and when the camera zooms in on the scientists face we can see sweat on his face and a panicked/frightened expression. When in the lift the camera zooms in on him and we hear the deep croaks of the demogorgon, and the camera flits between him and the empty hallway building suspense as the audience doesn't know where the beast is, and hasn't been introduced to it yet. When the camera flits to being in front of the man outside the lift, the lift doors shut and we see the man being dragged up into the ceiling, but the monster that is grabbing him isn't revealed.
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	Camera zoomed in on Mike’s face, which is partially concealed by the game instructions, camera flits between each of the players. When the demogorgon is revealed on the game camera zooms into Mike’s hand as he slams it on the table, the sound of it hitting the table is loud and harsh. Camera then flits quickly between each of the players especially Will who must choose a method on how to fight the demogorgon. The boys shout at Will and Will panics. The camera zooms out to a mid shot as they throw the dice and it falls off the table and they search for it.	Camera zoomed on Mikes face introduces his character but also create mystery as part of his face is concealed, him reading the instructions creates an authoritative image for him, then the camera introduces the other characters one by one. The increased sound of the demogorgon hitting the table and zoom in on the figure, has a dramatic impact, and then the quick change between characters and increase in pace builds tension for the audience as the characters argue and Will panics. When the dice is thrown and the camera pans out each character can be seen searching for the dice, but the camera doesn't show the floor so the dice cannot be seen by the audience creating further mystery.
Mike talks with his mother		Game took ten hours Disinterest of the mother Ignored by the father	Camera looks up the stairs at Will’s mother, so the audience is looking up at her. The camera the changes to Will who is on the floor looking for the dice, and the angle of the camera is pointing down at him from the mother's perspective. We then see Will run up the stairs to chase his mother to convince her to let them continue playing, as he speaks to his mother he is in the centre third, whereas his mother is on the outside. His father is in the background o most of the shots and only has one frame focus on him when he speaks and ignores his sons requests, and Will remains in the centre third.	The audience looking up at Will’s mother emphasizes her power and figure in the household. Camera then looks down at Will on his hands and knees making him look powerless and weak. Will being in the centre third of the frame shows his importance within the series as he is one of the main characters and allows the audience to focus more on him and sympathise with him as he begs his mother to let him continue the game. Will’s father being cast out of the frame and having his face featured in one frame for when he speaks highlights how little importance he has to the show, and makes the mother seem like the dominant figure in the household as the father simply agrees with what she says.
Boys find the dice		Boys find the dice – Will is ‘got’ by the Demogorgon Encouraged to lie	The camera is still mid shot on the boys as they find the duce and put their coats on, and goes between them when they have conversations. When Will finds the dice and confesses its not a seven, he is then encourage to lie, and Dustin can be seen cast out the centre third sand out of focus in the background collecting his belongings.	The camera zooming in on the two boys when will confesses makes it seem serious to the audience, and Dustin being out of focus and cast out the shot also emphasizes the secret as Will is encouraged to lie and not tell the others so he can win the game. The dark moody lighting also creates intensity alongside the boys whispering.
Dustin goes to Nancy		Nancy is on the phone to Barb Dustin attempts to offer pizza Nancy slams the door	The camera cuts to Dustin walking up the stairs and follows him as he walks round to Nancy’s room, then focuses on Nancy who is on her bed on her phone talking. She ignores Dustin at her door and focuses on her phone conversation, the camera flits between the two as they converse and Nancy refuses the pizza and shuts the door on Dustin.	The portrayal of nancy makes her seem rude and disinterested in Will or his friends, and as a typical American girl. The tone is less dark as the lighting is high key and not low key. The light, pale colours in her room also create a lighthearted image, and suggests she is not of any harm to any characters and quite a soft character herself, the colours sand portrayal of Nancy is quite stereotypical for a teenage girl.
Cycling home		Flickering porch lights Will says “the Demogorgon, it got me” Will cycles off alone and falls from his bike – he is pursued	Camera zooms in on Will and Mike as he confesses the demogorgon got him, and the lighting returns to being lowkey. Once Will confesses the porch light flicker like the lights in the hallway of where the scientist was running as Will cycles away. The camera then cuts to the night sky and pans down to the three boys cycling down the road. The camera shows the front of the boys cycling down the road and moves backward as they converse. They then race home and Will beats Dustin but the camera focuses on Dustin and we see Will cycle out of the shot as Dustin shouts after him. The camera starts at the sky again and pans down but this time onto an empty road, and we see Will then appear and the camera follows from behind. The focuses on a restricted area signs as Will cycles on and is out of the shot again.	The mimicking of the flickering lights much like in the first scene after Will says the demogorgon got him, creating mystery and suspicion for the audience as well as hinting at danger. Flickering lights also references paranormal activity / disturbance. As soon as Will is out of the shot the light returns to normal suggesting he is in potential danger or the activity has followed him. The three boys on their bikes with the lights creates an intertextual reference to E.T. As will cycles out the shot his whereabouts are then unknown to the audience as it focuses on Dustin. As the camera focuses on the restricted area sign which references danger and a link to the controversial “area 51”, as Will cycles out the shot emphasizing fear and danger.
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
Opening Credits		Red font Minor key increasing tempo music
Hopper’s Home		Hopper waking up and getting ready Cigarettes, alcohol and prescription drugs
Byer’s Home		Joyce Byers also getting ready Jonathan Byers cooking breakfast Joyce Byers ringing Mike's mum
Middle School		Boys confronted by bullies Will noticed to be missing
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