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 there are a wide
variety of social groups presented including the youth and the police and
government. Some of these representations are constructed using stereotypical
behaviour and features whereas some can contrast these stereotypes quite a bit.
A big social group represented in my sequence is the government.
In the first scene analysed, it shows Dr Brenner stepping out of the car and walking
towards some other people supposedly from the government too. As he walks
people can see that he is constructed in a very stereotypical manner as he is
wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase and is made to look much more important
than the others. The camera pans up as he walks towards the other government
officials symbolising that he is much more superior to them and possibly more
frightening. When the government enter the building later on in the sequence, their
image constructed by stereotypes completely changes. They get dressed into
hazmat suits and get given weaponry, signalling that they could be fighting
something dangerous which could also be a government secret.
Another huge social group represented is the youth. The younger
teenagers known as Mike, Lucas and Dustin. They are represented as nerdy and
maybe a bit different compared to the other children at their middle school. When
they are in the AV club it shows how much they are different as they are the
only ones in the club. They are very close friends which signifies that they
may not have any other friends which means they would need to stick together. The
camera angles that are used are usually mid shots or close ups and are eye
level which shows all 3 boys as equal and unified.