INDUSTRY CONTEXT STRANGER THINGS SUMMARISED

Question 1

Name the key figures behind the production of Stranger Things?

Answer 1

1. Monkey Masscare Productions (Creative production)
2. 21 Laps Entertainment (Main Production company)
3. Netflix (Main Financier)

Question 2

Monkey Massacre Production- Role in production?

Answer 2

Production company owned by the Duffer Brothers (handled creative production)

Question 3

21 Laps Entertainment- Role in production?

Answer 3

Main Production company (handled logistics like budgets, scheduling)

Question 4

Netflix- Role in production?

Answer 4

Outsourced production to 21LE + MMP (acted as main financier + distributer)

Question 5

How does the production of Stanger Things reflect trends in modern TV industry?

Answer 5

Shows vertical integration model

(Netflix = main distributer and financier. Did not fully produce the show– instead outsourcing production)

Question 6

Who was the show’s primary distributer?

Answer 6

Netflix (exclusively on its streaming platform)

Question 7

How did Netflix as the show’s distributer maximise profits and minimise risk?

Answer 7

1. Binge- release model
2. Global reach + localialisation
3. Subscription- Based Access
4. Genre hybridity

Question 8

Netflix’s Binge-Release Model– Distribution?

Answer 8

All 8 episodes of Season 1 dropped simultaneously (July 15, 2016)—a key Netflix strategy to encourage binge-watching.

Facilitates continuity + watching at own pace

Question 9

Global Reach & Localization — Distribution

Answer 9

Available worldwide in 190+ different countries.

Translated into 30+ languages to maximise accessibility.

Allowed the show to become a global sensation.

Question 10

Subscription based Access–Distribution.

Answer 10

Only available to Netflix subscribers, making it key for drawing and retaining subscribers (flagship show).

Question 11

What is the genre of the show? and why does this minimise risk?

Answer 11

Hypridisation of sci-fi horror, romance, coming of age drama.

Minimises risk: Broad appeal (something for all audiences), Sci-fi= popular and low risk.

Question 12

What was the budget for the show?

Answer 12

48 million (high-budget drama)

Question 13

What did the high-budget/ financial backing of the show facillitate?

Answer 13

High- value production (big set peices, diverse set locations, costumn sets, in house effects using SFX etc.

Star power: Iconic 80s actors (Mathew Modine and Winona Ryder). Attracts their pre-sold audiences.

Question 14

What was the audience reception of the show?

Answer 14

15 million in first 30 days.
Netflix immidatley commisioned a season 2.

Question 15

How is Netflix (UK) regulated?

Answer 15

Regulated internally by Netflix through age ratings and parental control settings (NO OFCOM)

Allowed to get away with darker, scary, contrversial conten whilst starring children actors.

Question 16

What is Stranger Things rated in the UK and why?

Answer 16

Age Rating : 16

Violence, langauge, horror, substance abuse, mature themes.

Question 17

Livingston & Lunt- Regulation.

Answer 17

Streaming platforms like Netflix face lighter regulation than traditional TV/ economic pressures replace formal content regulation in digital media.

Economic/ Market regulation: Netflix’s primary regulation comes from market pressures (audiences).

No water-shed restrictions:Netflix can release darker content anytime (no 9 PM cutoff like UK TV).

Example: The S1 finale’s violent lab massacre wouldn’t air pre-watershed on traditional TV

Question 18

Curran & Seaton (Concentration and power)

Answer 18

• Algorithm-Driven Content:Netflix greenlit Stranger Things because data showed demand for 80s nostalgia/ horror.
• Limited Access for Independent: The Duffer Brothers succeeded only by partnering with Netflix/21 Laps—no indie studio could fund S1’s $6M/episode budget.