Soap Opera Genre – Independent Textual Analysis Name: Chris Jacobs Candidate Number: 4068 Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School Center Number: 64135 OCR Media Studies – A2 Level Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio
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L3 l4 -textual analysis of 2 soap opera trailers chris jacobs
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1. Soap Opera Genre Independent Textual Analysis OCR Media
Studies A2 Level Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio Name: Chris Jacobs
Candidate Number: 4068 Center Name: St. Andrews Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
2. Trailer 1 Coronation Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcVoNEhhICU Verbal Codes Comment on
the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack The use
of the non-diegetic soundtrack expresses verbal codes with the
lyrics denoting beneath my feet which expresses connotations of a
grounded and down to earth community and also expresses a sense of
irony because what the clip is actually meant to be
representing.With a happy song being used this irony is confirmed
because in fact there is going to be a serious situation that about
to occur which has been eluded throughout the clip. Also the
diegetic sound effects from the emergency services furthermore
contributes to affect what is going to happen that is out of the
ordinary and could cause harm to the characters, which eludes to
Todorovs theory, but specifically the disequilibrium. The lack of a
non-diegetic voiceover towards the end of the trailer and the fade
out of the music is quite effective by creating an eeriness. This
is because usually you hear a voiceover at the end of trailers nut
instead just fades out into a title screen and makes it able to
have this desired effect on the audience. Non-Verbal Codes Comment
on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and
Characters representation of gender This trailer is set in a
familiar working class setting that is a repeated (Steve Neale -
1980) theme in the soap opera genre with a tight knit community,
where everyone knows everyone. The lighting could count towards
binary opposition (Claude Levi-Strauss) because of the use of high
key lighting in this scene is ironic, as low key lighting would be
more applicable like in the emergency services clip with the sense
that this situation could escalate into a serious predicament for
the characters in the show. The costumes in this promo are just
what a normal group of people from this community would wear,
jeans, t-shirts, jackets etc. However these costumes and throughout
with other objects such letter boxes are red. Red is represented as
the colour of danger and love, which relate to the relationships in
the community and what could be happening in the future terms of a
bad situation for the community. Furthermore the facial expressions
determine the stereotypes of men and women in the community with
women quite happy and men grumpy. Technical Codes Comment on the
use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement The constant
use of technical codes such as close ups and tracking shots in both
the emergency services clips and community clip portray the
attitude of the characters. It allows the camera to capture the
emotions of the characters/extras in both clips, for example the
happiness of the families walking into the street because they are
with there loved and spending time together. Also there is a use of
an eyeline match between a female and male character which could
elude to a love triangle considering the female is with her husband
a child at the time. The use of a slow motion helps elude to the
audience they are more than friends with the use of the eye line
match as well. This connotes the relationship they have with each
other although it is in fact an act of adultery, because of the
womans family apparent in the clip.
3. Trailer 2 EastEnders-http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4xlLezos0 Verbal Codes Comment on the use
of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack The use of the
non-diegetic soundtrack in this trailer allows the characters to
express their emotions towards the comeback character portraying a
active woman, defeating the stereotype. The connotations express
how influential and well known this character actually is in the
square. Also the use of the diegetic gun sound effects can reflect
the attitude and status of the comeback character relating to her
being a bit of an outlaw. This type of effect is used quite a lot
by soap operas which eludes to repeat (Steve Neale - 1980) these
effective sound grabs. Furthermore the diegetic dialogue between
the female and the male character in this clip connotes the
feistiness in their relationship with each other, and is clearly
expressed by the tone of their voices whilst saying their lines,
where can I get a drink round here and I think youre going to need
one. This connotes the type of relationship these two characters
have with each other and is expressed through these lines and how
they say them eluding to that these characters might have previous.
Non-Verbal Codes Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes,
Facial Expressions and Characters The non-verbal code of the facial
expressions of the other characters around the square reflect that
the feelings towards the certain character returning are ranged
from character to character, from shocked to hatred struck across
there faces when they see her back. This connotes to how the
comeback character was previously represented in the programme
which in this case seems like an active woman, defeating the
stereotype. Furthermore the use of costumes in this clip also
relates to the outlaw theme of these two characters coming back
into the show. This once again connotes the type of personalities
these actors represent through there characters, two outlaws
expressing their place in the community in Walford. The setting
eludes to a Western feel with the pub rundown and shut up, as well
as the main high street is clear of everything apart from the two
characters, resembling a Texas stand off. This pub being closed
expresses why the comeback character says, where can I get a drink
round ere?, with the main and only boozer in the area is closed.
Technical Codes Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and
Camera Movement The use of close ups and shot reverse shots allow a
good representation on how these particular characters are
portrayed in the square and the influence their personality has on
other characters. The use of close ups of these two main characters
in the clip express the importance that these two characters will
have a lot influence on the narrative. The tension between these
two characters and the type of relationship they have with each
other is expressed with the combination of shot reverse shots and
eyeline matches, as they glare at on another.
4. Evaluation of Textual Analysis Compare and Contrast Trailer
1) Areas of Strength and what you would repeat (Steve Neale) or
exploit (Abercrombie 1995) The areas of strength that I would
repeat (Steve Neale) and exploit (Abercrombie 1995) from this
trailer would be the use the soundtrack and sound effects to effect
the type of trailer it is and to increase the irony in the trailer.
This can be said of the happy song playing in the forefront of the
sound which is clearly ironic to actually what is going to happen
in the coming episodes and so gives off a good effect. Furthermore
the diegetic sound effects from the emergency services breaking up
this happy soundtrack also give a good effect I would like to
repeat because it builds tension in the trailer. Trailer 2) Areas
of Strength and what you would repeat (Steve Neale) or exploit
(Abercrombie 1995) The areas of strength I would like to repeat
(Steve Neale) and exploit (Abercrombie 1995) from this clip would
be the use of quick cuts between characters and the use of close
ups to portray the personalities of the characters. I would use
shot reverse shots (quick cuts) because it builds tension between
the characters as if the emotions are about to flair which gives
off a good effect. The close ups are also a good technique to
repeat because of the effect they have on a viewer on making them
concentrate on the main character rather than anything else in the
image.