STAND BY ME (1986) OPENING SCENE

SETTING: The sequence begins in the main protagonists car, making this
a conventional normal, everyday setting that the audience can
immediately identify as realistic. This sets up the running theme of a
realism. Although, a slight enigma is created through the car being quite
isolated in the huge scape of the countryside: hence we ask why is this
car stopped here? Who is in the car? Are they alone? Furthermore, the
change from the car to the shop is effective in juxtaposing the adults life
and the childs life. Plus, the treehouse signifies how independent the
teens are by having their own area to socialise away from adults.
CHARACTERS: Initially, the main character has a certain enigma about
him. The eyeline match from the protagonist to the newspaper denoting
attorney Christopher Chambers fatally stabbed encourages us to
question how the characters are/were related? how will this affect the
plot? Plus, the eyeline match from the main character to the two boys
riding bikes encodes them as significant to the characters reminiscing- a
key theme of the text. Moreover, the next character(s) we meet are
friends of the protagonist. These characters convey a convention of the
genre: a friendship group with lots of different characteristics. Teddy
Duchamp is identified by the voiceover as the craziest guy hence
relaying the conventional geeky, unique teen stereotype. The protagonists
best friend Chris Chambers is the leader of the gang hence relaying the
archetypal deviant teen as he came from a bad family. Moreover, the
last character we meet (Vernon) fulfils the criteria of the funny one the
other characters mock him by singing so we identify him as the one taken
least seriously.
THEMES: A running theme is the friendship of the teenagers. In the
treehouse, we gain an insight into how each of the teens fit into the group:
each fulfilling different roles and stereotypes. This is not only conventional
of the genre but sets up our connection with all of the characters.
Moreover, the shock of I was 12 going on 13 when I first saw a dead body
carries on throughout the text. Vernon announcing the dead body is quite
unconventional as the high key lighting usually connotes an equilibrium.
NARRATIVE: As noted by Todorov, the initial scene seems to be at an
equilibrium with the high key lighting and calmness of the protagonist.
However, this quickly becomes a disruption as soon as the newspaper is
shown. Throughout, the narrative seems to flick from a peaceful
equilibrium to an abrupt change in mood: usually relating to dead bodies.
Despite the drama genre usually maintaining an upbeat tone: this text
challenges that convention by linking the younger characters with mature,
sinister topics.
ICONOGRAPHY: Costume is conventional of the genre. Characters like
the protagonist, and his friends all wear archetypal everyday clothing

(jeans and a t-shirt). However, props such as cigarettes and cards

challenge stereotypes about young children. Despite these props being
conventional of a teen drama: we dont typically expect 12 year old boys
to be engaging with such mature activities. As a result, this anchors the
theme of surprising sophistication amongst the characters.
CREATION OF ENIGMA: Even in the initial sequence, were encouraged
to question the roles of the characters. For instance, the protagonists
three friends (Verno, Chris and Gordie) all seem to have very different
personalities so we ask what makes them close? Do/will they stick
together? Plus, the very first scene encourages enigma through the
peaceful setting contrasted with the dark attached meanings of the
newspaper informing us of Chris death. Moreover, the main creation of
enigma stems from the equilibrium of the friendship being contrasted with
the darkness of a dead body.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS: The introduction to the protagonist
is the least clear of all the characters. Were still unsure about his purpose
in sitting out in the countryside and how he fits into the friendship
group.Initially, were introduced to the main characters friends in a way
that allows us to make presumptions about their personalities e.g. that
Verno is the baby of the group e.g. the other characters mocking his
announcement. Furthermore, the introduction to the older teens at Vernos
house relays some stereotypes about age hierarchy. Verno (both
figuratively and literally) looks up to the older characters showing the
convention of the characters in this genre often want to be older than they
are. In one way, the lack of characters outside of the friendship group
allows us to infer the importance of friendship to the narrative- another
convention of the genre.
SETTING UP PLOT: The main plot of the text is the revelation of dead
bodies, for the teenagers. This is foreshadowed in more ways than one.
Firstly, the newspaper informs us of Chris death and sets up the running
theme of death. Next, the diegetic audio denoting I was 12 going on 13
when I first saw a dead body highlights the main plot of how such young
characters deal with mature topics like dead bodies. Lastly, Verno rushing
into the treehouse to inform the group about the dead body reinforces
this initial fascination. This is surprising for the audience because of the
age of the characters- nonetheless, its quite conventional of the hybrid
genre (teen thriller/drama). Despite this text fitting in more of the drama
conventions: it does relay the convention of a thriller, which is dark,
mysterious themes embedded with young characters.
PACE AND RHYTHM: The pace seems to mirror the feelings of the
protagonist. At first, a slow and peaceful rhythm is created through the
continual edit and lack of movement. Furthermore, the upbeat rhythm in
the treehouse is created through cross cutting, perhaps we infer the
character to be happiest when in the company of the group.

MOOD AND TONE: The overall mood is quite confusing for the audience.
On one hand, we engage with the peace of the countryside scene and the
endearing friendship. But, on another hand: a totally peaceful mood is
weakened by the discussion of topics like death. So, overall: the mood and
tone seems to be somewhere in between, where the audience finds it
difficult to recognise a specific tone through the contrast of moods
throughout.