Opening Title Sequence Analysis - Stranger Things

Opening Title Sequence Analysis

Stranger Things

The opening title sequence begins with this picture. The entire opening sequence is very minimalist, using a plain black background and red neon letters. The music comes in very early on sounding quite electronic, using an instrumental synthesiser. Creative Director, Michelle Dougherty, said it was to get the 'Spielberg feel.' With the graphic imagery of the logo to the music, which feels straight from an 80's film, the mood is created for a show that feels right out of the era its set in.

Large, hollow type drifts through a void, slowly assembling. Its glowing red edges cutting through the darkness as smaller credits fade in and out. This could symbolise the fact that you don't know what is in the darkness, similarly to how to don't know the Demogorgan, the monster in Stranger Things, is in the darkness. It incites the feeling of paranoia, fear, and intensity.

The primary typeface in Benguiat font and the other font is Avant Garde (used for the names) Benguiat was carefully chosen for its deep associations with '80's, Stephen King paperbacks, mainly based around the horror genre.  Using these 'old' fonts, we are reminded of the historical power of text and the transcendental property of design. This sets the show up from the very beginning, playing on the 80's references and 'old' styles horror typography. 

An extreme close up is a cinematic technique that when used sparingly and with intent can invoke intense emotion. By getting up close and personal, the viewer reaches a new level of intimacy with the scene. This intimacy causes the viewer to become vulnerable, and vulnerability elicits a deeper emotion—in this case, unease or even fear.

In each of the episodes, the Chapter and a title name is presented. The disjointed type along with the music imbues it with this real sense of unease, which is really immersive. Michelle Dougherty chose a score that would help give  it a darker tone, to resemble the Stephen King novels mysterious tone.

In the diagram below you have the pictures in order of how they appear in the opening credits sequences. They begin by stating the Network company, Netflix.  The opening then goes on to credit all of the main cast, from the children such as Millie Bobby Brown (011/ El) to the adults such as Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers).

The Duffle Brother - Matt and Ross Duffer - wrote and directed Stranger Things. They are credited several times throughout the opening sequence. Their name also appears after the title 'STRANGER THINGS' has finally appeared. They are accredited for 'creating' the show at this point.