How are individuals and social groups represented?

To begin with, there are several social groups represented in stranger things. The first is that there is a difference between rich and poor. We see this with the Byers family who are living in poverty, with the boy working to pay for the family. In comparison to this, there is mike who lives in a sheltered upper middle class family with a nice house and living comfortably. The next social class is that of the different age demographics. We see there are teens who are shown with Nancy, and steve. The stereotypical focus of these teens is about relationships, and with nancy she is very studious. There is then the adults who we see are more oblivious to the bigger problem and rather immature about it all (Joyce being hysterical). The kids though take control and attempt to find their friend. 


How are the main characters represented through the use of media language? What social groups can they be seen to fall into? 

The main characters are presented with media language via their mise en scene. The boys dress in typical quite nerdy clothing, showing they fall into the social group of nerdy outcast kids - not popular like older steve is. The next person is Jim hopper. Jim we see is waking up on the sofa in a bad state with drink surrounding him. He then gets up and begins to smoke, and walks into work late. We see he doesn't follow the stereotype of a usual police officer who is alert and strong, as jim is lazy and unfit. This though we see could be due to the fact that we get the impression he has lost his daughter, due to the panning down of the image of the girl. This may then make the audience feel sympathetic of him. 
Which individuals or groups are under-represented in the drama? How do you know? Why might this be? 

In it we see that sexuality isn't as broad in Stranger things, with no Gay relationships being present. This could be due to the fact that in the 80s gay relationships weren't legal, or had only very recently become legal. Due to this it would not be accurate of the time to include it. 
Furthermore, the ethnicity side of things, there is only one black character and no other ethnicities apart from white. 
Which individuals or social groups are mis-represented in the drama? How do you know? Why might this be? 
We see that Jim hopper is misrepresented. This is because we see this person who should be looked up too and respected as being together and protecting society, is not taking care of himself and waking up with drink on a sofa. He then almost disregards the case of Will at first. 


What stereotypes are used? Are any of the main characters stereotypical and if so, why might they be represented in this way? How do we respond to them as a viewer as a result?  
Stereotypes are used explicitly in ST. We see with Nancy she is a stereotypical teen girl, being very studious though also focused on boys. 
Are the stereotypes we see used in a positive or negative way? 
Stereotypes that are used in this are mainly used in a positive way in the sense that they relate to them at the time. Nancys stereotype of being a typical studious girl works to build her character, as without this the person and dilema she is in would not work the same. 


How much influence will the producer have had on the way individuals, social groups or social identities are represented? 
The producer would have had a big influence, as they would have decided exactly how they want the characters to be. Though, some of it will be pre dis positioned from the time that they have decided to set the series, as the will need to follow the common stereotypes from that time. 
Why might the producer have decided to construct this representation? Which aspects of media language are used by the producer to help construct these representations? 
He would have constructed this representation in order too make the whole series accurate. How are events, issues and social identities represented? 
Firstly, the issues of poverty are displayed with the Byers family. This is clear because she is a single mother, though the son is having to work in order to provide for the family. It represents the hardships of being a single mother. They are represented in a way that helps build a character portfolio and form the story.


What events or issues are represented? 

Firstly, the issues of poverty are displayed with the Byers family. This is clear because she is a single mother, though the son is having to work in order to provide for the family.


Did you already know about these events or issues? Are they usually under-represented or not? Why might they be the focus of representation in this drama?

They aren't exactly underrepresented, but they are used as it is the mother already going through a hard time, so emphasises how bad her situation is. 
How true to their historical and socio-cultural contexts are the representations? Do they offer a realistic version of the events/ issues portrayed or a different viewpoint? Why might this be? How does it use media language to achieve this? 


Do you feel the events or issues have been mis-represented in this drama? Is the representation positive or negative? If so, what reasons can you give for this? 

How much influence will the producer have had on the way the events or issues are represented? Why might the producer have decided to construct this representation and what aspects of media language are used to create this?