Soap Opera Genre –

Independent Textual Analysis

Name: Rhiya HeirCandidate Number: 6657Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770

OCR Media Studies – A2 Level

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

Trailer 1 – Kat and Alfie (Eastenders) BBC One

Verbal Codes This trailer consists of verbal codes, a non- diegetic soundtrack which has been made to sound like something out of a western movie this adds a ‘mysterious’ effect on the trailer as the Western music ‘signifies’ some sort of battle will occur. This is shown by the verbal code of the diegetic voiceover saying “its all kicking off in the square” suggests that there will be a battle between the two main characters Kat and Alfie. The Western theme was continuous throughout as it included a sepia toned colour, also the cowboy boy boots both Kat and Alfie are wearing (Props) also conveys the Western theme. Kat is shown to be a ‘superior’ women, this is shown through the verbal code of the diegetic sound of Kat’s cowboy boots clacking against the ground, this can be seen as intimating also she’s warning other characters that she is in the village. Kat also says “where d’you get a drink from around here” which is followed by the camera cutting to a long shot of the pub, this is where she can get a drink from also suggests the conventions that a pub in a soap opera is the heart of the community and the main place where people meet.

Non-Verbal Codes The non- verbal code of the Queen Victoria pub conforms to the soap opera genre forms and conventions of there being a communal place where people can meet and get together this really gives us a sense of a community. We see that the Queen Victoria pub windows has been boarded up and we can see a black dull colour around the edges of the windows connoting that there has possibly been a fire, this creates a dystopian setting.

https://youtu.be/8p4xlLezos0

Technical code of the establishing shot of ‘The Queen Victoria” pub, also known as “The Queen Vic” to the people in the community, this connotes the ‘heart’ of the Square as this is were all the locals go to meet up and have a drink, could also be the center of where problems occur.

The non- verbal code of a pair of cowboy boots walking compliments the western soundtrack and suggests that there is going to be some sort of battle. The verbal code of Jane's surprised/ worried facial expression, she quickly draws the blinds. This excites and intrigues the audience as they can tell there has been some some bad history between the characters, a disequilibrium could be taking place in the Square.

Technical Codes

The close up- tracking shot of Kats cowboy boots whilst she is walking, this suggests her arrival is important, also creates a sense of adrenalin as the audience want to see who Kat is walking towards to.

The close up of Jane’s facial expression emphases the non- verbal code of her feared expression which is a result of seeing an unknown/ mysterious character walking through the Square.

Low angle, broken frame shot of Alfie from between Kats legs, connotes that they have some sort of history together, most likely a romantic history as this shot is very intimate

Trailer 2 – Skins (Series 5)

Verbal Codes The skins trailer consists of a non- diegetic soundtrack that is being played throughout the whole trailer there is no verbal codes however you have the voice over and the end of the trailer. The soundtrack that is playing is a song produced by Arcade Fire, ‘ready to start’ this connotes that the new series of skins is going to start. The song itself is powerful, it had also been chosen very effectively as the sound gradually gets faster as the trailer is continuing this is symbolic as the shot types are changing as a faster paste and the characters are also falling at a higher speed this could signify how close the new series is about to be released. The soundtrack itself represents the type of demographic that would watch this soap opera. The voice over at the end of the trailer informs the audience that the new series of Skins is “coming soon” we can also identify that it will be coming on, on channel 4 due to the logo and website being shown.

Non-Verbal Codes The trailer has a dystopian setting, the use of dark lighting symbolizes the darkness and drama that the new series will portray. I can identify the shocked/ fearful facial expressions on each character this also suggests the tension present and also warns the audience about a disequilibrium that is going to take place, this is also suggested by the fast moving actions. Eye connection is shown throughout the trailer, the character seem to be looking at one another, this can connote that they are all connected in some way weather they are friends or they are all involved in the same situation.

https://youtu.be/UOJ4LDwc37o

Technical Codes

Extreme close up of her facial expression, her eyes are shut therefore connoting she doesn't’t want to see what is happening. The extreme close up allows the audience to understand how she is feeling.

Low camera angle shot, this shows the different variety of angles the trailer consisted of throughout. This allowed the audience to get a different view an perspective of what was happening in the trailer. We understand that the character Is looking straightforward she is preparing herself for something that is about to happen. Her hand is also cover her chest which is significant as we know she is naked this connotes the rawness and explicitly of the trailer

Evaluation of Textual Analysis – Compare and Contrast

Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)A strength from the Kat and Alfie trailer was the rivalry between them both and the westernized theme that was continued throughout the trailer, through the effects and the music also the characters outfits, however I would not repeat this in my soap opera trailer as I want it to be modernized. However something I would repeat from this trailer is the diegetic sound this is something soap opera trailers don't have. I think it would be beneficial fro the audience

Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)

The Skins trailer was good at using music it set the tone and atmosphere of the trailer very well. The soundtrack was very fitting to the trailer and what was going on as the characters were falling, this went from a slow speed to a fast speed and we can identify the dramatic change and speed of the music. The camera shots were very impressive as they included a variety, this was very intriguing and made the trailer stand out. I would ‘repeat’ this in my soap opera trailer as it would help tell the story also would reflect the characters feelings and emotions.