Long form TV drama (LFTVD) follows a set of conventions which entice an audience to continue watching the show through long periods of time. To do this, dramas use multi-stranded narrative structures which interlink and cross over, characters the audience can build a relationship with and various locations. To keep audiences engaged and left wanting more, the dramas include many plot twists, cliff hangers and lots of creativity when characters and themes change and develop to keep audiences invested in the program. This is highlighted when at 45.50 we are introduced to the three boys Dustin, Lucas and Mike who are searching for Will, the diegetic sound of rain pelting on to them in a dark, spooky woods with the only source of light being that of their flashlights helps build up the tension in the atmosphere for the audience as the mystery continues that keeps the audience gript. To accompany the cliff hanger for the end of the episode, the use of slowly panning, jump cut shots between the boys and Eleven are used. Allowing the audience to see their full facial expressions as to what they are feeling in the moment; scared and confused. This is another example of building the tension and leaving the audience questioning what will happen next. It is also an example of a multi stranded narrative used different story lines have been brought together to link the characters and leave the audience feeling enticed to know the significance to why.
Characters are a main LFTVD convention that are extremely important for shows such as stranger things to succeed in keeping the audience engrossed. This is because viewers want to engage and relate with the characters to create a relationship which will keep them gripped to the show and fandom. A character who is an example of this is Benny who at first we question if to like him or not due to his dirty and ragged appearance which is a complete contrast to when he begins to care for Eleven and wants to help her seek shelter and stay safe. However, the mood quickly changes as at 39.54 as long shot of Connie the social worker is used when we see her shot Benny. The effectiveness of this shot is so the audience can see the picture as a whole including their body language and Elevens facial expression as to what she has just witnessed. Elevens facial expression is shown to be frightened and shocked before she makes a quick escape. To accompany this there is the sound of diegetic radio background music of the song ‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson, the volume is increased as soon as Benny is shot which builds up the tension in the atmosphere for the audience. The song now becomes a non-diegetic sound which adds a fast pace dramatic as to when Eleven runs away to escape the authorities. This leaves the audience feeling confused, questioning why Benny was shot and who Connie really is and who does she represent. This is an example of a LFTVD story line which entices the audience to continue watching so they can piece together what is happening in the story line and ensure there is greater audience engagement with the show.
In addition, genres is used in LFTVD to attract a bigger demographic of audience. The more genres a TV series has the more likely it is that it will gain more viewers due to he wider variety. Stranger things includes genres such as romance, thriller, sci-fi, action to cater to most and bring in a wider audience. The genre of sci-fi is used in a scene right at the beginning when we see a scientist be snatched away by a unkown creature. Although we do not see what takes him there are slimey sound effects which sound inhuman accompanied by red flashing sirens indicating danger which are all witness by the long shot used to capture all elements to allow the audience to piece together an idea of what they believe could have happened. Mise en scene is highlighted in the Byers home to help show 80’s intertextuality such as the dull coloured clothes Joyce and Jonathan wear which accompanies the dark and muted tones from the interior of the house. This helps reflect their mood of sadness and despair as they have lost someone who is extremely important to them and who they dearly love. Their mother son relationship is interrupted when the diegetic sound of a bright yellow 80's style wall phone ringing is played. This is an important element as it stands out so clearly against the dark, dull colours of the room and atmosphere. In the moment, the audience get there first glimmer of hope as to Will still being alive and in existence. The diegetic sound of the unidentifiable creature is played through the phone which was first heard at the beginning of the episode when the scientist was captured. This further helps piece together the story plot showing the significance of the multi stranded narrative. An electric shock through the phone is created through SFX which hurts Joyce suggesting that supernatural forces have great power emphasizing the sci-fi genre to the audience.
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