
A focused OCR A-Level Media Studies revision lesson applying Steve Neale’s Genre Theory to Stranger Things and Lupin for the LFTVD 30-mark question.
This fully editable PowerPoint (.pptx) lesson is designed as a recap, revision or theory add-on lesson for OCR A-Level Media Studies Paper 2: Evolving Media, Section B – Long Form Television Drama.
The lesson focuses on how Stranger Things and Lupin use genre conventions, hybridity, repetition and difference to engage audiences. Students begin by recapping what genre means, identifying conventions of Long Form Television Drama and applying examples from Stranger Things and Lupin. The Do Now also asks students to consider how the serial nature of LFTVD, including cliff-hangers and multiple story arcs, helps streaming platforms maintain audience engagement.
Students then compare how Stranger Things and Lupin use genre hybridity. Stranger Things is explored as a hybrid of sci-fi, horror, mystery and coming-of-age, while Lupin is explored as a hybrid of crime, thriller, mystery and heist drama. Students analyse opening extracts and identify conventions such as mystery, suspense, cliff-hangers, supernatural elements, threat, deception, hidden identity and puzzle-solving.
The lesson introduces Steve Neale’s Genre Theory, focusing on the idea that genres depend on repetition and difference. Students apply this to both set texts, considering how Stranger Things repeats familiar sci-fi/horror conventions but adds difference through 1980s nostalgia and coming-of-age elements, while Lupin repeats crime/thriller conventions but adds difference through its stylish Paris setting, heist structure and Arsène Lupin intertextuality.
The lesson builds towards a 30-marker-style exam response: Analyse how Stranger Things and Lupin use genre conventions and hybridity to engage audiences. Refer to Steve Neale’s theory in your answer. It includes sentence starters, word bank, full model response, judgement prompt and self-assessment criteria.
This lesson covers:
OCR A-Level Media Studies
Paper 2: Evolving Media
Section B: Long Form Television Drama
LFTVD
Stranger Things
Lupin
Steve Neale
Genre Theory
Repetition and difference
Genre conventions
Genre hybridity
Audience appeal
Sci-fi
Horror
Mystery
Coming-of-age
Crime
Thriller
Heist drama
Suspense
Enigma
Cliff-hangers
Streaming audiences
30-mark question practice
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