Upside Down: Adaptation and Digital Affordances in Stranger Things

Presented by: Dr Bernadette Cochrane

Date: Friday 20 September 2024
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Online via Zoom and in-person at the SCA Writer's Studio (Level 6, Michie Building)


Abstract

Digital integration in theatre gives rise to fascinating transmedial and intermedial theatrical works. One the domain of the avant-garde or subsidized arenas, commercial theatre is pushing adaptational boundaries across genres and media, resulting in a complex and dynamic array of performance forms. The production of Stranger Things: First Shadow exemplifies this shift.

With regards to adaptation, the relationship between First Shadow and Stranger Things in many ways mirrors that between Hawkins and the Upside Down, with each influencing the other through long-form storytelling and canon formation. Apropos technical considerations, First Shadow asks us to consider both theatrical spectacle and questions of presentism or liveness. In short, First Shadow examines both adaptation and digital integration at both macro and micro levels within theatrical settings. As such, this examination prompts a reconsideration of traditional genre boundaries and explores concepts such as collaboration apropos content creation, the "first encounter," canonicity, tribalism, ownership, and reception. (And maybe a bit of Abba Voyage and Romeo and Juliet to highlight the evolving landscape of contemporary theatre.)


 

About Research Seminar and Workshop Series

 


School of Communication and Arts Research Seminar Series

The research seminar and workshop series occur each semester, each with a different topic and guest speaker from UQ or otherwise.

Friday, 28 February
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Generative Hate

Dr Luke Munn and Meg Herrmann

Friday, 21 March
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Close Encounters of the Hermeneutic Kind: UFOs as More-than-Human Media

Dr Adam Dodd

Friday, 11 April
12-1pm

Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at the
SCA Writer's Studio
(Level 6, Michie)

Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems and Community Radio in India

A/Prof Elske van de Fliert
A/Prof Pradip Thomas
Treesa Reena John (University of Hyderabad)
Vamsi Krishna Pothuru (University of Hyderabad)

 

Venue

Online via Zoom and in-person at the SCA Writer's Studio (Level 6, Michie Building) https://uqz.zoom.us/j/89730708640