Stranger Things Cinematography Breakdown - A Nostalgic Approach to Lighting, Camera, & Lenses
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Stranger Things Cinematography Breakdown - how the Duffer Brothers and primary DP Tim Ives used lighting, color, lenses, and aspect ratio to create the cinematic look of their ‘80s-heavy influences.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to Stranger Things Cinematography
00:44 - Duffer Brothers Nostalgic Vision
01:20 - Chapter 1: Lighting
03:54 - Chapter 2: Color
06:00 - Chapter 3: Cinematic Look & Feel
07:46 - Final Thoughts/Takeaways
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Stranger Things Cinematography Breakdown
The cinematography of Stranger Things is a conscious and direct homage to the sci-fi and horror films of the 1980s. Creators the Duffer Brothers and their primary cinematographer Tim Ives used every aspect of cinematography towards this goal - the lighting, color, lenses, aspect ratio, and more. In this Stranger Things cinematography breakdown, we’ll look at each of these aspects and how they contribute to the overall look and feel of the show.
Stranger Things Lighting Techniques
Inspired by the work of DP Allen Daviau, especially the films he shot for Steven Spielberg, Tim Ives did a number of tricks to emulate the lighting. For example, using high color contrast for interiors (warm inside, cool outside) and using book lights to create softer illumination.
Color in Stranger Things Cinematography
The first three seasons of the show saw a dramatic shift in the color palette. The first season is much more subtle and desaturated compared to the second and third seasons. The latter of which saw the inclusion of more neon lights and saturated colors more reminiscent of the teen comedies of the ‘80s like Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Cinematic Look and Feel of Stranger Things Cinematography
The camera and lenses themselves help bring all of these aesthetics together. Despite shooting on digital cameras like the Red Dragon, the lenses were tested specifically to match those used by these influential films. Coupled with the cameras and lenses used in Stranger Things, a subtle film grain was added in Post-Production to give it a more filmic look. And the aspect ratio was decided on 2:1, which is more reminiscent of cinema than television.
All in all, the Duffer Brothers and Tim Ives have made purposeful and aesthetic choices when designing the cinematography of Stranger Things. By using everything from the lighting to the aspect ratio, they have fused their influences into something all its own.
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“We Don’t Understand Each Other“ - Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
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“Journalistic Instincts“ - Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
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“Aftermath“ - Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
“People Are Strange” - The Doors
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to Stranger Things Cinematography
00:44 - Duffer Brothers Nostalgic Vision
01:20 - Chapter 1: Lighting
03:54 - Chapter 2: Color
06:00 - Chapter 3: Cinematic Look & Feel
07:46 - Final Thoughts/Takeaways
Interesting how we pick up on things like grain and color without even noticing and attribute those to the 80s in this case. Loved the analysis with the movies of that dacade. Thank you for the video!
Glad you liked it!
Favorite part about the show is that flashlights that shine into the camera make a somewhat mysterious and magical sound, emphasizing what the characters are looking at and feeling.
What's your least favorite part?
Something essential which I believe is deeply embedded in the success of season 4 is camera movement and doing several things in the same shot. Season 1 used shots very deliberately and communicated *just* enough information. Seasons 2 & 3 had almost standard TV coverage a lot of the time, which was quite disappointing. Season 4 returns to the deliberate story focus and constraints on shots. I hope season 5 continues this trend.
They introduced use of the super techno crane also. It was used for most shots
I'm sure they'll evolve again for season 5
Thank you so much on making this video. A few years ago I was really studying Tim Ives’s work on stranger things, watching interviews and blogs. Now I know even more. I hope you make another one of these when we have more info on the making of stranger things 4
maybe when season 5 comes out 👀
Very Cool! Stranger Things TV show Identity is defined by the Passionate Cinematographers who work on it in each seasons and the Influence from Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Robert Zemeckis. Thank you StudioBinder.
Shout out to the filmmakers!
loved the references to Spielberg's movies !!
Great detail from the show 💯💯
My favorite scenes were the master of puppets final scene, oof the climax built in that scene was outstanding. As well as the basketball scene where Lucas plays basketball along side with Erica's D&D match. Loved those scenes from Season 4
Season 4 was great!
I feel so inspired to write, shoot, and edit after watching your videos, Studio Binder! Thanks for this one!
Happy filming :)
Everybody does content marketing, but when I look at you guys, It appears plainly..it is also love for the medium.
Amazing work. I am a media and film educator too, I use your videos so often and wonder sometimes, how awesome is it that someone has created these anthologies of finely analysed, edited and curated videos. Film analysis of a certain kind can be, at the end if the day, done through film ( video) only.
Thank you for existing !
Loved the video. The feel of stranger things is so wholesome.
Nice analysis as always!
I would really appreciate to see something similar for the Mr. Robot series, hope you keep that in mind!
Will keep in mind!
I think one they not not just built the 80s tone for nostalgia but also as it is well accustomed. My observations were of the artificial grain, older lighting techniques. Also the sound is marvelous, perhaps not the greatest show, but a very well made one.
👌👍👍
I really love cinematography because I want to know about the lighting, lightning equipments, color grading and editing. Please make more like this type of content. please! Thank you!
More on the way!
Superb video
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for this.
Thank you so much for this!!! I was literally going to comment on the next video yall released to ask if yall could make a video like this.... and then it was here!
We heard your mind's request
I am a huge fan of StudioBinder!
You guys need to do a comparison video: David Lynch VS David Cronenberg
How do their styles differ? Who does horror better?
Thanks for the suggestion!
I love this videos, great nostalgic cinematography, thanks for sharing
Hope it helps!
The score direction and camera work all tie in to make this show feel so magical. I get such a magical feeling while watching this.
There new director of photography: Caleb Heyymen did such a good job season 4
The direction of the show is impeccable
Video idea: Tron Legacy, it can be about anything whether it is the director, visual style, or anything else!
Thanks for the suggestion!
I would like you to do an analysis of Severance the new Apple series.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Awesome & Thanks :)
This is the only channel I watch every video of in full screen
Next about german series dark
Thanks for the suggestion!
Fact:- bestest series of Netflix 20's ♥️👍
it's up there!
@@StudioBinder yupp 🌟♥
Thanks
Cheers!
Awesome!!!
🔥🔥🙏🙏
First Classic Stranger things made me think of was The Goonies :)
great video 🌹
Cheers!
Another great video! Love this channel. Thank you
THANK YOU TOOO MUCH
Love the work you do!!!
I noticed the look and love it!!!!
I usually never comment but I was waiting for this....More about ST screenplay, colours , cinematography...Pleasee 🤌🏻
Thanks for the feedback!
People are stringers 💚💙💥
I going to miss Stranger Things cinematography. Since season 5 is going to be the final season I’m going to miss the lighting and the color more. It suits the characters, the music, and the story. It was perfect vision for the show.
Great video as always.
Thanks for watching!
Can you go over the outstansing editing in Seson 4?
We might!
Good work...sir make video besic lighting because i m bigner and make like short list
we're going to cover lighting in the future!
You are the best...
I wonder if the show was shot on anamorphic, spherical lenses or a combination of both. I didn't really look that closely at all the scenes for that, but the idea of 80's cinematography shooting on anamorphic film lenses would mirror the effect of those older movies.
It would be a great touch!
Every episode is shot with spherical lenses
Sir is there any other channels you do voice over work for? Because your voice is majestic
he's with us ;)
Hey, studio binder🤚
Hey!
Can you explain the negative space in movie or how to use them
We go over it in our shot list composition video! th-cam.com/video/hUmZldt0DTg/w-d-xo.html
0:38 - HTML wasn't formally published until 1991, but yeah, it was in use since years before, so alright. But _display: flex;_ and the _flex-*_ style properties weren't proposed until 2009 and implemented until 2018, so history inaccuracy I guess?
perhaps haha
It's been "Lucased" since then.
peaky blinder please. anything about!🔥
My favorite visual shot is the climax shot when everyone will come to know that Vecna isn't dead yet. (Flowers n grass turned into black like ash and other half will be normal)
Any chance you could get the duffer brothers to give some insight around the running up that hill scene?
Please talk about Blade runner 2047
I think we've used it as an example on everything at this point haha
i made my first movie by only show and learn in this TH-cam channel. Thank you guys🙏 .i hope i will be better .
Great job!
Dear Studiobinder, please make a intrusting video on the film's music
and audio.
Like - Theme Music's,
Background Music's and Sound Design's to make a instrusting flow.
Like - Mysteries, Horrer, Comedies and Obviously Action Scene's to setup's rythem of the film's.
DO True Detective Season 1
Thanks for the suggestion!
Make on better call Saul
stay tuned ;)
I have been watching this channel for quite awhile now. And I am a big fan. It's very educational. However, I wish your TH-cam playlist was more structured. It is hard to completely comprehend somethings since the explanation was made on another video. Eg. When watching “ what is checov's gun” episode if you dont understand red herring you miss some important information. So it would be helpful to some of us who are new to the subject if the playlist had order. Perhaps in chapters so that we don't get lost in the TH-cam algorithms recommendation. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback!
Can you Guys make a Video on -- How to Light Up an Interior Extreme Wide Shot as Continuity Lighting to a Close Up Shot ?
Probably not on it specifically, but we'll be covering lighting in the future!
Can you please name the color scheme that's used in the series ?
Season 4 was actually (mostly) shot by dp Caleb Heyman, he used the Alexa LF paired with vintage lenses.
All of it was shot on ARRI
@@BrianLongFilms Entire season 4 indeed
I couldn't even tell it was shot Alexa LF and I bet the audience couldn't either. The story, set design, lighting, music, sound, acting etc... was top notch.
👌
I just started watching stranger things a week ago just for this reason...
Did you like it?
@@StudioBinder yes, very much!
🤔
Thanks for watching!
how are you sir sir i am from pakistan and urdu language is spoken in pakistan i wait for your every video and watch all videos but i don't understand fully because your video is in english. So sir please put urdu language in captions thank you.
Eddie Munson
the series is great at introducing new characters 💯💯
I actually dont like dark lighting... Thats why i prefer kdramas
Lockwood and co
bad and stretched web series need no respect it's all go waste cinematography screenplay action acting(nope) if story is turning a new turn all time
Everybody does content marketing, but when I look at you guys, It appears plainly..it is also love for the medium.
Amazing work. I am a media and film educator too, I use your videos so often and wonder sometimes, how awesome is it that someone has created these anthologies of finely analysed, edited and curated videos. Film analysis of a certain kind can be, at the end if the day, done through film ( video) only.
Thank you for existing !
Loved the video. The feel of stranger things is so wholesome.