Editing Analysis

The scene I chose to examine and analyze is from the first episode of the Netflix original, “Stranger Things.” The show is about the unexpected disappearance of a small town boy named Will Byers. The scene I chose tot break down follows the town’s police chief, Jim Hopper. Much like the opening to one of my all time favorite movies, American Psycho, this short clip follows a morining routine. What we don't know as an audience member is how traditional these tasks are, but it can be assumed that whatever Hopper is doing in this sequence, he's been doing for a long time. The very first shot zooms in on a disoriented and sleepy Jim Hopper, creating a humorous tone to introduce Jim Hopper for the first time. He is woken up by the sound of a dog bark on a cream colored sofa, playing with the earthy and brown color tones that almost display a vintage feel (after all, this show takes place in the 1980’s). The next shot is one of my absolute favorites shots, and is the shot that made me chose this scene. There is a scenic pan across a body of water leading to a wide/mid shot of Hopper, stepping outside for a smoke with unbuckled jeans from the night before, shirtless, and inhaling s cigarette. This shot is just so normal, so authentic and gorgeous. Here’s just this disheveled normal guy stepping outside for a smoke. Not Brad Pitt or George Clooney sensually staring into the sunrise, just Jim Hopper doing his daily business.

The next series of shots are quick and abrupt shots of Hopper in the shower and getting ready for his day. Compared to the slow and long panoramic view previously, this fast cutting technique almost brings Jim Hopper back to reality, thinking to himself that he’s got to get ready for his day. The simplicity of the shot sequences, the sounds of a quiet neighborhood, and the eerie 1980’s synth score combined showcases the loneliness of Jim Hopper’s life, but maybe he’s okay with it.