HW Mise En Scene Stranger Things Analysis

 

1.  Costume: The Character at the start is wearing a white lab coat. This suggests to the audience that they are a scientist who is testing for an experiment so that is why they are at the laboratory, where secretive experiments are conducted. These lab coats help establish the setting and the roles of the characters within the story. Additionally, they contribute to the overall atmosphere of mystery and science fiction that the show is known for. And it is that they are trying to do their job correctly. The denotative meaning of lab coats and related costumes is that the characters are engaged in scientific work within a laboratory. This work often involves experiments, research, and investigations.

   •  Lab coats are associated with science and experience. . Characters wearing lab coats are often scientists or researchers, denoting their roles as knowledgeable individuals in their work roles.. The connotation. In the show, the laboratory is run by the government, and the characters who work there are often involved in classified projects. Lab coats and uniforms connote the idea of government secrecy and hidden agendas.
2. Nostalgia: The show is set in the 1980s, and lab-related costumes, including hairstyles and accessories, evoke a sense of nostalgia for that time period. This connotation helps immerse the audience in the setting and adds to the show's retro atmosphere.
3. Fear and Tension: Lab-related costumes can also connote fear and tension, as many of the supernatural and dangerous events in the show are linked to the experiments conducted in the laboratory. The audience may associate these costumes with the source of the show's mysteries and dangers. In summary, lab-related costumes in "Stranger Things" carry both denotative meanings related to scientific work and expertise and connotative meanings related to mystery, government secrecy, nostalgia, and fear. These costumes are an important visual element that contributes to the show's storytelling and atmosphere. 
4. Denotation:

• Will's costume consists of typical '80s attire, including jeans, sneakers, and a graphic T-shirt.
• He wears a jacket, which is a part of his everyday wardrobe, and it appears worn and slightly oversized.
• It is more of a typical outfit that you would expect from a teenager to wear. Connotation

• Will's '80s clothing fits well with the show's nostalgic setting, denoting the time period.
• The jacket, which appears a bit too big, symbolizes his youth and vulnerability. It serves as a visual reminder of his innocence.
• The ordinary nature of his attire conveys that he is a relatable, everyday character, and the audience can connect with him.

What is Communicated to the Audience: Will's costume, with its '80s nostalgia and nature, tells the audience that he's an ordinary kid, who is brought into extraordinary circumstances. The oversized jacket shows his youth, and the audience instantly sympathizes with him as a relatable character.

Denotation:

• The scientist wears a crisp, white lab coat over a button-up shirt and slacks. He carries a clipboard and wears safety goggles.
• His attire is practical and professional, and the lab coat is emblematic of his scientific role.

Connotation:

• The white lab coat is a symbol of authority and expertise, indicating the scientist's knowledge and professionalism.
• The safety goggles and clipboard further emphasize his role as a scientist who is engaged in research and experiments.
• His clean, well-kept attire signifies his dedication to his work and attention to detail.

The scientist's costume communicates to the audience that he is a credible and knowledgeable character. His professional attire and equipment convey the seriousness of his scientific pursuits. The white lab coat is a visual representation of his expertise, suggesting that he plays a pivotal role in the story as a scientist interested in research and investigation.

Lighting: The lighting analysis for this is The house is set with warm, soft lighting, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Soft, diffused lights are strategically placed in the living room and kitchen, casting a gentle glow on the furniture and decor.

2. The overall color temperature is on the warmer side, evoking a sense of comfort and homeliness. As Will enters the house, the lighting gradually reveals the familiar surroundings, adding an element of surprise and wonder as he takes in the details. 
3. The science lab has a starkly different lighting setup. It's a contrast to the house, featuring cold, clinical lighting with a blueish-white color temperature.
4. Fluorescent overhead lights are used, giving the lab a sterile and efficient feel. The bright, even illumination eliminates shadows, highlighting the lab's practicality and functionality.
5. The fluorescent lights create reflections on glass and metal surfaces, further enhancing the futuristic and scientific vibe.
6. As Will arrives at the lab, the lighting underscores the contrast between the two locations, reinforcing the notion of a sharp divide between the domestic and scientific worlds.:
7. The Denotation for this is that the lighting in this scene is low, with minimal practical light sources. Will is alone in a dimly lit room, and the only light comes from a single lamp, casting a weak, flickering glow.
8. The figure that Will sees is hidden in the shadows, and its features are not clearly visible.
10. Connotation:
12. • The dim lighting conveys a feeling of isolation and vulnerability, emphasizing Will's loneliness in the house and the unsettling situation.
    • The obscured figure in the shadows suggests a horrifying, unseen threat. The low light intensifies the sense of fear, building suspense and anticipation.
    • The lighting and shadow play here create a sense of foreboding and an atmosphere of dread, keeping the audience on edge.
    • :
    • Denotation: The science lab is brightly lit with overhead lights, ensuring clear visibility of the lab equipment and surroundings.
    • The man is wearing a white lab coat and is working under the bright laboratory lights. His actions are precise and he keeps on moving.
    • Connotation: The bright, clinical lighting in the lab reflects an environment of precision, science, and rationality. It suggests a controlled and professional setting.
    • The man's lab coat and focused work under the bright lights indicate his dedication to scientific research and experimentation.
    • The lighting enhances the idea that the lab is a place where you can do your experiments and is a place where you can be able to try out new things.

    What is Communicated to the Audience:

    In the scene with Will at the house, the low and moody lighting, combined with the figure, creates a sense of dread and mystery. The audience is made to feel the unease and fear that Will experiences, setting the tone for a suspenseful and potentially dangerous situation.

    On the other hand, the scene with the man in the lab conveys a different atmosphere. The bright, clinical lighting and the man's precise actions communicate a sense of being professional and determined to do what it takes to do his job right.

. This lighting and environment emphasize the contrast between the scientific world and the supernatural elements of the show, which adds depth to the narrative.

1. 
   

   Denotation:

   • Will is alone in the house, positioned in the center of the room, with a clear line of sight to the figure.
   • His facial expression shows a mixture of fear and confusion. He is tense, with widened eyes and slightly trembling lips.:
   • Connotation: Will's central placement in the room emphasizes his vulnerability and isolation, making it clear that he is the focal point of this eerie encounter.
   • His fearful expression and trembling lips indicate a genuine sense of dread and unease, while his wide eyes suggest that he is confronting something that is strange.
   • The audience is made to identify with Will's terror, as his body language and expression effectively convey the fear and apprehension he feels:
   • Denotation: The man is in a science lab, the man who is desperately running between various lab equipment and experiments, occasionally pausing to make adjustments.
   • His face is tense, with his furrowed brows and a look of urgency and he is wearing a lab coat. :
   • • Connotation: The man's movements and actions in the lab highlight the significance and urgency of his work, suggesting that he is dealing with a problem.
     • His tense facial expression and furrowed brows indicate that the stakes are high, and the outcome is of great importance to him.
     • The audience can infer that the man's character is driven and dedicated to his research, even in the face of unexpected challenges. The man's movement and actions in the lab show the significance and urgency of his work, suggesting that he is dealing with a problem. His tense facial expression and furrowed brows indicate that he is worried even if he has to face a challenge. The man's movements and actions in the lab highlight the significance and urgency of his work, suggesting that he is dealing with a problem.
     • His tense facial expression and furrowed brows indicate that the stakes are high, and the outcome is of great importance to him.
     • The audience can infer that the man's character is driven and dedicated to his research, even in the face of unexpected challenges.
   • The man's movements and actions in the lab highlight the significance and urgency of his work, suggesting that he is dealing with a problem.
   • His tense facial expression and furrowed brows indicate that the stakes are high, and the outcome is of great importance to him.
   • The audience can infer that the man's character is driven and dedicated to his research, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

   What is Communicated to the Audience:

   In the scene with Will at the house, the actor's placement and expression serve to intensify the suspense and fear in the audience. Will's central placement makes it clear that he is in a dire situation, and his terrified expression ensures that the audience empathizes with his fear. This combination of elements effectively communicates the impending danger and sets the stage for the supernatural elements of the show.

   Props: The Board game suggests to us that in the basement they are all playing a game as friends since they are little kids enjoying their time just chatting laughing and having fun with each other this shows that these boys are just ordinary children whom they value their friendship so much that they enjoy spending time with each other. Board games were mostly used in the 1980s as entertainment for kids to have fun rather than using their phones. The Pizza that Dustin has in his hand suggests that he is very caring towards Nancy and wants to try to engage with her so that he can be able to get closer to her then we can see that in Nancy's room, it is represented as a feminine bedroom with a lot of pink glittery room that a teenager girl will have. There are posters on her wall and other items that show her hobbies and interests. The opening scene suggests that it is going to be a horror, mystery movie since you are having suspense about what is going to happen next and how it goes all dark with the lights flickering also with the chaos also that it is set in a small town which not many unexpected events are meant to happen.