Soap operas

SOAP OPERAS

What is a soap opera?Definitions of soap operas:“Soap operas are ongoing works of fiction, and episodic in nature.” - http://soaps.about.com/od/soaps101/a/whatsasoap.htm“A television or radio program that has continuing stories about the daily lives and problems of a group of people” - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera

I would define a soap opera has a serial drama with a mutli-strand narrative that focuses on the lives of multiple characters within each episode.

Trailers are used to promote such shows, especially when important and dramatic events are to happen within the narrative. The purpose of a soap opera trailer is to appeal to viewers of the show who may be unaware of a new series or episode and what is to happen in the programme in the upcoming weeks or so. It can also appeal to new viewers who may have not watched the show before. It is important for soap operas to gather a large audience as generally soap operas work in competition. For example, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders usually aim to beat each other in the ratings.

The content of a soap opera trailer includes some of the characters, storylines and themes that feature in the programme. For example, Casualty on BBC One is a soap opera based around the events in a hospital and so the trailer for it would include scenes of disasters and crisis, and have characters dressed to show their medical occupations as nurses and doctors.

Steven NealeRepetition and Difference Theory

Neale has a theory relating to genre and the nature of mediums, such as soap operas, whereby the genre should be consistent and there should be repetition in order for the audience to recognise it. The genre should be consistent in terms of characters, narrative, setting, costumes, props and sound. For example, characters should be stereotypical in order for the audience to recognise and relate to the characters and their personalities to find pleasure. However, Neale claims that it is important for mediums to have original ideas and characters also, to create originality and avoid predictable characters and plot. This will result in the medium becoming more unique and appealing to an audience looking for something fresh and away from the norm. For example, not all characters in a medium may fit a stereotype and in fact may go against the stereotype that the audience may assume they are.

Neale believed that “Genres are instances of repetition and differences. Difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre” and that if a convention was repeated, it would not attract an audience as they would grow bored and that texts should show the conventions of more than one genre.

http://heathenmedia.co.uk/ineedaholiday/2013/09/20/research-into-hybrid-genres-steve-neale-theory/