Mise-en-scene Stranger Things analysis

1) What do each of the letters in CLAMPS stand for?

    CLAMPS stands for:

    Costumes

    Lighting

    Actors

    Make-up

    Setting

2) What TV genre is Stranger Things?

   Stranger Things TV genre is horror, sci-fi, drama and fantasy. 

3) Choose THREE aspects of mise-en-scene (e.g. costume, lighting, setting) and write a short paragraph for each about the denotation and connotation in the opening 8 minutes of Stranger Things.

Lighting & Colour

Through the first 8 minutes of Stranger Things, we are presented with multiple flickering lights. This is shown in the lab, shed, elevator, garage and even the bike lights. This indicates the danger and threat that is displayed and warns the audience that something negative is going to happen that will impact the series. As well as that, the dark colours within the show suggest that they want to scare us and the tint of green connotes the TV genre, sci-fi.

Actor placement/ Movement

Near the start of the 8 minutes, it shows 4 boys sitting around a table playing a board game. This connotes that they are close friends and are the 4 main protagonist of this series. However, right at the start we witness a scientist running towards an elevator and frantically pressing the button. This can indicate that he is frightened and is immediately trying to get away from something. Also at the end, one of the main characters named Will is shaking with fear while holding a gun. This presents that he is petrified due to an event that has occurred. 

Setting & Props

During the beginning, there were a variety of objects placed around in the setting, this included a old TV, landlines and bikes. All these items are connotating that Stranger Things is based in the olden times. While Will was presumably going home, he seemed to be riding on his bike through a forest surrounded by mist,. This presents a gloomy atmosphere so that it alarms the audience. At the end, Will rides past a sign saying 'Restricted Area, Government property'. This is being foreshadowed by the scientist running in the laboratory which indicates that a key moments is going to occur which is going to trigger the starting of the series.