Lighting:
The lighting used within this series changes dramatically as the scene switches. The opening scene shows a dark night sky and rolls down to present a lab; the eerie lighting already gives off an unsettling and scary effect. The camera then switches to another scene, of which is a scientist running away from what sounds like to be a terrifying creature. The lighting is gloomy and ominous, with a dim light flickering on and off throughout as he runs through a labyrinth of endless hallways. The scene comes to an abrupt end, and changes to show a house with a sprinkler going off outside. The lighting is dark at first, pitch-black even because of the night sky, in contrast to the homely and bright light of the inside of the house; this gives off a sense of comfort to the audience. It connotates to warmth and coziness, compared to the scene before which had connotations to horror, and it immediately lifts the panicked feeling off of the audience. It may even lead them to believe that the opening scene was just a story being told by the children and not exactly real, but as the boys leave to ride home, the garage lights flicker for a second- perhaps somehow foreshadowing that something dreadful is about to happen and that what was believed to be just a story inspired by a game actually happened. From my own personal interpretation, the illuminating light is a sign that the monster's presence is near, which breaks the certain stereotype of darkness connotating to fear or dread and lights being associated with joy and purity. The next scene shows the three other boys biking home on an unlit road, with woods surrounding them, engulfed in a creepy, shadow-like darkness. This associates with terror, as opposed to the mellowness and safety of the house, which indicates to the audience that a tragedy may strike. In the very last scene, the light bulb from the shed radiates a glaring glow, again emphasizing the fact that the monster is near and as it begins to weaken (which suggests that the monster has left), the boy is then nowhere to be seen.
Props:
One of the props used in this show includes an old-fashioned rotary telephone. From this, the audience can infer that the year the show is set in was a long time before smart phones were made- given by the way people communicated with each other through dial telephones, like the character Nancy Wheeler. Also, her bedroom is portrayed to the audience in a way that gives them a somewhat idea of the average teenage girl living in the 1980s. The designs of the different props, such as the tartan tablecloth and floral duvet, and the portrait of her with a friend on her bedside table conveys that seeing as smart phones were not invented back then, people used polaroid cameras instead of just taking pictures on a phone which is what people in our day and age are used to doing. One of the other props seen in this scene is an old box tv. This clearly implies that it's an extremely old model due to the fact that the screen looks grainy and not as "clear" as televisions today. Also, it had to be tapped a few times for it to work unlike the smart televisions we are used to using now, which are much more modernized. From what we could see, the television wasn't working that well which could mean that there was a problem with the electricity, linking back to the flicker of the garage light; chilling aspects like these have many connotations to a horror show. Another prop that gives off the 80s vibe is the bikes that the boys used to cycle home. Although cars did exist in that time, bike-riding was much more common back then compared to now- especially with children or teenagers. Certain aspects like these ones make it obvious to the people watching just how many years ago the show is supposed to be set in.
Setting:
The setting shown at first appears to be a completely deserted lab in a remote forest surrounded by trees. There seem to be no living beings inside except for two- a scientist and what seems to be a horrific monster. This connotes to a horror show, given the neglected setting and the unearthly creature inside, which could be perceived by the audience as supernatural. The lab that the opening scene is set in looks ghostly and creates a sense of mystery to the audience, seeing as there was nobody else inside it. This could make the audience wonder many different questions, for instance what made this catastrophe happen in the first place and what happened to the rest of the scientists? The scene then shifts to show four young boys playing a story game in what looks like a downstairs basement, designed to be a makeshift hangout place for the kids. This is implied by the amount of items being stored all around the room and the worktable with tools on top mixed with empty pizza boxes, coke cans and a Dungeons & Dragons game set. This relieves the stress off the audience, following the transition into a more regular setting. It brings a feeling of comfort to see a group of children enjoying an innocent game in a pleasant setting, messing about and laughing. The next scene is of the three other boys cycling home on a dark path surrounded by gloomy woods. The quick change in tone between this setting and the one prior to this, of the downstairs basement, makes the audience feel a sense of trepidation, and dreading what comes next as it surely can't be good given the situation. The next scene then shows Will Byers rushing around his house, and into his shed in an attempt to escape from the monster, which creates tension and suspense leaving the audience immersed in the plot and concerned for Will's safety. The shed being located near the abandoned woods associates with extreme danger, especially within the somber darkness and the fact that nobody is around to protect him. The scene then concludes with the shed completely empty, leaving no sign of Will or the monster that abducted him in his wake.
Extension:
The opening sequence suggests that this series will be related to supernatural beings and alternate universes co-existing in one. It could also involve people trying to find out what creature took Will and what its intentions are; along with trying to figure out where he is. The genre may be sci-fi and horror as shown by the frightening monstrosities that took place. In terms of characters, it could include a whole army of monsters plotting to take over the human world, and the group of kids along with several others trying to prevent it to do so and saving their reality from disaster.
Out of everything talked about in the article, hair & clothing and set design links the most to mise-en-scene, as it talks about the different styles shown within the show- along with the variation of settings portrayed in each scene and the effect it gave on the audience.
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