Soap Opera Genre –

Independent Textual Analysis

Name: Brenda Okole BokoeCandidate Number: 7483Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770

OCR Media Studies – A2 Level

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

Trailer 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r6z7ylZtdc

Official C4 Hollyoaks Trailer: 20th - 24th January 2014

Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack

The voice over at the start of the trailer “this week on hollyoaks” and the way she says it could mean that there is some sinister on this coming hollyoaks sequence, this is backed up by the words that come between the shots such as ‘denial, secrets, lies, betrayal’. The impact of this on the audience is that it already gives them a hint of what is going on but still leaves them on suspense as they will want to find out who betrayed who therefore causing them to tune in.The verbal code of the diegetic sound between the characters having a dialogue, all of these conversations are about trust issues, hurt feelings, and false accusations. This connotes that it is a multi stranded story line as there are so many things going on at the same time. The impact of this to the audience is that they will want to know all about these stories and why all of these are happening at the same time. The reason this trailer was made this way was to keep the audience interested as they will be in suspense of what is happening, why everyone is trying to prove their selves.The verbal code of the non-diagetic sound of the incidental music that plays throughout the trailer takes the form of ominous tone suggesting an impending startling event. it is likely that there will be a disequilibrium in this story line. The impact of the non diagetic sound is that it adds atmosphere to the action.

Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters

All the protagonists have a worried face, like they are disturbed about something. For example the facial expression of the female protagonist with the young boy when she says “everything will be fine this time” her face doesn’t look like everything will be fine as she says. There are probably things that are hindering everything from being okay and she might just be saying that to stop the boy from worrying and gain his trust.Another example is the facial expression of the girl shown looking outside through her window, she looks upset and it could connote that she is seeking for revenge, and also the fact that the sunlight is trying to penetrate into the room could signify that there is some like a sinister about to happen and there is no escape from it.

Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement

The technical code of the camera zoom on the female protagonist face shown in between the blinds could connote that she is being locked away from something she wants and isn’t very happy about it as those blinds look like a prison. The zoom could also represent her as an individual and emphasis on the things she is capable of.The technical code of editing of the shot reverse shot between the female protagonist and the young boy where she says “you need to trust me” is used to make the conversation between them interesting so keeping the audience aware of the other person’s reaction. The close up of all the protagonists in the trailer could connote the similarities between them so for instance, maybe everyone of them has a secret to tell which could have led to them betraying the other in some way.

Trailer 2 – EastEnders Trailer - BBC One Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLI5fXKAt8 2012

Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack

The diegetic sound of the dialogue between The female protagonist and someone where she is screaming “don’t give up on me” connotes that something really bad has happened and she is insecure- the impact on the audience is it keeps them interested especially for the fans of the female protagonist as they would want to know what has happened or maybe she is trying to prove herself to someone.

The non diegetic sound of the fast track which plays through out the trailer with the use o the fast paste cut connotes an impending disaster is about to happen and also so many things are going wrong at the same time.The diegetic sound of the voice over “east enders thrilling Christmas” gives the audience an idea of how that season was going to be. So this will be when the audience will be interested and all the excitement as there are so many things going on at the same time from looking at the trailer. It is a multi stranded story line.

Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement

The technical code of the good use of editing where there are fast paste cuts used through out the trailer immediately has an impact on the audience as they see so many things happening on the same time. It keeps them thinking of what is going on for example they could be thinking why is the lady saying “don’t give up on me “and it immediately cuts to a lady looking shocked on the phone. This therefore keeps them interested as they will want to tune in to see what is actually happening.

The technical code of the close up frequently use to show all the protagonists through out the trailer could signify the relationship between them and also maybe a close up of their differences and how they are going to solve this problems they may be having.

The camera movement of the establishing shot where the camera is tracking a man and a car on speed could represent how things are happening so fast and how some people re trying to run away from their problems but it is catching up on them. The impact of this to the audience us that it leaves them wondering what the characters are running from and if they can hide away from this for long.

Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters

The non verbal code of the facial expression of all the characters looking like they are concerned, guilty of something or they have been betrayed by people they considered as friends or family signifies that they is a misunderstanding between all of them an therefore there is definitely a conflict /bad relationship in this coming sequence.

The non verbal code of the costume of most of the characters wearing black signifies that there is a sinister going on and maybe there is no trust within all of them. The impact of this on the audience is that they would want to figure out why all the characters are dressed this way. So are they having any deals against each other?

Evaluation of Textual Analysis –Compare and Contrast

Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale - 1980) and/or ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995)I would repeat the non diegetic sound of the sound track that plays throughout the trailer. This fast track connotes an incident happening or about to happen, I would also repeat the fast paste cut as they also signifies how this sequence is going to be so that is so many dreadful things happening at the same such as betrayal, no trust and people trying to prove their selves.An area of strength are the words that were used within the sequence. These clearly keep the audience informed of what is going on to happen but still leaving them in suspense as they would want to find out who has been betrayed by who. So care givers will find this appealing if the person they are a fan of is being hurt or distressed.

Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale - 1980) and/or ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995)I would repeat the fact that they had multi stranded story line involve in the trailer as this will keep the audience interested therefore making them tune in to watch the sequence. Multi stranded story line leaves audiences on suspense and more enthusiastic about a sequence rather just having single story line which will be boring.I would repeat the fact that the trailer tells the story so it is very clear of what is happening in the next sequence. It relates to what the audiences will be watching when they tune in. The reason I would ensure my trailer tells the story is because a good trailer is will most likely increase my target audience and more viewers to my soap opera which I will be producing.