St. Paul’s Catholic College

Center Number: 64770

Candidate Number: 6827

Candidate Name: Hannah Grace D’Souza

A2 Media Studies

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media –

Production Log

Evidence of Planning & Research

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Aims and Objectives

AO2 – Assess candidates’ application of knowledge and understanding in evaluating their own work, showing how meanings and responses are created.

AO3 – Assess candidates’ ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

AO4 – Assess candidates’ ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research.

Brief Chosen

A 45 second – 1 minute 30 second trailer for a NEW Soap Opera

that will be exhibited on at 8:30pm (after Eastenders) that will appeal to a Male and Female audience.

YOU SHOULD research when Eastenders is scheduled (Day – Time)

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Contents

Textual Analysis

Eastenders

- Soap Opera Codes & Conventions- Multi Strand Narrative

Coronation Street

“..the home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as such, it has long been said to appeal to the female viewer”

‘Masculinity and Popular television’ – Rebecca Feasey (2007)

- Is this evident and how is this presented to the audience?

Research

Purpose of a Trailer Multi-Platform promotion Textual Analysis – Coronation Street and Hollyoaks

Deadlines – Production Work

Filming Dates:

Edited Trailer – Complete:

Promotional Poster – Complete:

Promotional Magazine Cover – Complete:

Evaluation – Complete:

Production Work

Director – Roles & Responsibilities? Producer – Roles & Responsibilities? Institution research – BBC Two

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Soap Opera Codes & Conventions – Lesson 2

1) What are some of the Codes & Conventions of this genre?

YOU MUST demonstrate what you already know by completing a “Spider Diagram” of what you know about OR expect from this genre:

2) Codes & Conventions of the Soap Opera Genre

The Soap Opera genre can be categorized by the ‘repeated’ (Steve Neale ) elements of:

SOAP OPERAS

There should be many events within

the series that would relate to the viewers. Along with

a multi-stranded narrative.

In this genre I would expect the

dramatic events to make it more interesting.

They are usually

targeted at middle-classed

housewives.

Cliffhangers to engage and almost persuade the audience to watch

the next episode, this is a great way to attract

larger audiences.

Characters roles would stereotypically be a

villain (Propp), ‘alpha female’, couple in love,

teenage ‘badboy’

The setting is usually middle-

class, with prime locations such as the pub, a shop,

hospitals and

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1. Romance

2. Family relationships and/or conflict

3. Focus on working class community

4. Antagonism and conflict within the community

5. Setting usually identifies regional identity

Eastenders (1985 – Present)

Key information regarding this text:

Exhibited on BBC1 and repeated on BBC Three

One of the UK’s highest rating programmes

Set in the ‘Kitchen Sink’ setting of fictional Warford, East London

Textual Analysis Task

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye51O8WBVVM&feature=related -

YOU MUST complete the Table below whilst watching the TWO promotional trailers for the BBC Soap Opera Eastenders.

YOU SHOULD aim to identify key examples (Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical) from each trailer that demonstrates your understanding.

Extension - YOU COULD apply relevant audience theory to explain what impact these key examples would have on the target demographic.

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In your opinion, according to Hartley’s Seven Subjectivities, what is the target audience for Eastenders?

Age 16

Gender Both male and female

Nationality British

Trailer 1)

What is the Focus of this trailer?

To entertain the audience

Code&

Convention

Evidence

(Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical)

Impact on the Audience

(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)

Romance No romance in trailer N/A

Family relationships and/or conflict

Verbal code of “you killed lucy” voiceover.

Katz – The Eastenders trailer helps to inform the audience that something awful is happening.

Focus on working class communities

The trailer is focused around different working communities in the Eastenders like the picture of Shirley in the pub.

Katz diversion, the audience can relate to the community and the reality of the situation.

“Multi-Stranded Narrative”

There was a sense of multi-stranded narrative because there are lots of flash cuts.

Maslow – Survivors – the audience can have an understanding of what the trailer is about from the different narrations.

‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

There is a murder in Albert Square and flash cuts are used to portray the victims that are shocked with the death.

Hartley – It appeals to all audiences who enjoy dramatic excitement in a soap opera trailer.

Trailer 2)

What is the Focus of this trailer?

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To inform the audience of a characters return to the series.

Code&

Convention

Evidence

(Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical)

Impact on the Audience

(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)

RomanceThe character presented in a wedding dress causes Phil to give lustful looks to her as if he is shocked.

The audience may be able to build a personal relationship (Katz) with the characters relationship problems.

Family relationships and/or conflict

Phil and Sharon look at eachother in shook as if they don’t believe it. This could cause conflict in the future.

N/A

Focus on working class communities

In the trailer you can see people come out of pubs and shops which presents this is a working class community.

The audience will be able to personally identify (Katz) with the audience as the target audience are also mainly working class people.

“Multi-Stranded Narrative”

There could be a multi-stranded narrative as everyone stares at Sharon as if they have past experience with her.

N/A

‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

Everyone looks in shock as Sharon. This indicates that she may be a big problem to other characters.

Hartley – It can help entertain both, males and females.

Multi-stranded narrative

A Multi-stranded narrative can be defined as…..

1) Telling a story from more than one persons point of view.

2) Telling multiple stories about multiple characters in an open narrative episode for example.

YOU MUST deconstruct the 10-minute extract from Eastenders and identify where the following elements are presented to the audience:

Multi-stranded narrative

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Family relationships and/or conflict Focus on working class communities ‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov) Romance

YOU SHOULD write down x1-2 examples for EACH of the elements above that are presented.

Code & Convention Evidence Impact on the audience Multi-stranded

narrativeCuts to 2 other characters and then another 2 characters in the first minute.

Keeps them more interested.

Family relationships and/or conflict

‘That night was a one off it’s not going to happen again.’ Shirley and her son

Helps them relate to social issues.

Focus on working class communities

Shirley and Phil in the pub- Queen Victoria

They can identify with them.

Disequilibrium’ (Todorov) Sharon bleeding/ her stories about her shady past

Keeps them entertaines

Romance Between Shirley and Phil. “Do you remember the first time you fell in love.”

N/A

Soap Opera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson 3Textual Analysis

According to Rebecca Feasey in ‘Masculinity and Popular television’ (2007), the Soap Opera genre tends to focus on:

“The home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as such, it has been said to appeal to the female viewer?”

1) – Do you agree?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8_ApPT6isY (First 5 minutes)

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Next Page - YOU MUST deconstruct the opening 5 minutes of a sequence from the popular ITV Soap Opera Coronation Street (1960 – Present) to identify examples of where this ideology is presented to the target audience.

YOU SHOULD also try and identify, to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the genre, any Codes & Conventions associated to the Soap Opera genre

Code & Convention Evidence Impact on the audience

Rebecca Feasey (2007) Ideology:

1. The opening scene is set in the home as the characters making tea, cleaning the house, male characters looking to older female for guidance. This is one of the typical settings of the

2. The code and convention “Sit down and have a cup of tea” in Soap Operas as characters believe a cup of tea will resolve all problems. In terms of Hartleys subjectivities, British, working class audiences are most likely to find a relation.

3. Manager of pub is female – This connotes Rebecca Feasey’s ideology of a strong independent female. The sentence, “alright that is enough” comes in contrast with the emotional female who is etrememly happy and expressive.

4. Also, binary opposition (Levi Strauss) to representation of females: “I thought he was the one…I put everything into that relationship”. This makes the ‘Caregivers’ (Maslow) feel sympathetic towards the characters.

“Multi-Stranded Narrative” Characters in the local shop

Family relationships

Two sisters fighting over a man. Survivors (Maslow) will hope that the sisters resolve their problems.

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and/or conflict

Focus on working class communities

The pub. Audience maybe able to personally identify with the surroundings (Katz) as they too maybe working class.

Disequilibrium’ (Todorov) The conflict between the sisters. Audience hope everything will be resolved between them.

Romance Young female character cries about her past relationship. Caregivers (Maslow) as the audience feel sorry for the female because they may be able to personally identify with her.

Other Themes & Issues represented:

None in scene

Soap Opera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson 4Textual Analysis

1) What is the purpose of a trailer?

A short promotional film composed of clips showing highlights of a movie due for release in the near future.

2) What are the benefits of Multi-Platform promotion of a media text?

Reach a wider audience range

Easier for the audience to access

Ultimately, some form of Convergence is important when promoting a text to the target audience.

3)

Textual Analysis –

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Next Page - YOU MUST make notes on the following areas when deconstructing this sequence from Coronation Street:

Multi-stranded narrative Character dilemmas ‘Personal Identification’ (Katz)

Multi-stranded narratives--The actual wedding.-Marriage (celebration) of Steve and Becky.-Steves and Becky’s perspectives-Different emotions expressed in the trailer.-Some people in the neighbourhood appear to be unhappy.-Becky appears excited whilst Steve appears nervous (Bionary Opposition: Levi Strauss)

Dilemmas-

-“I’m Lucky” – the song lyrics create a sense of irony as a problem could occur.-Voiceover: “The perfect date for a Coronation Street wedding” – Sarcastic as there aren’t ‘perfect days’ in soap operas-Young man in the street looks annoyed-Lady’s ‘sigh.’-Friday the 13th.-Groom not happy.

The symbol of the characters having their symbol crossed could be a sign for hope and possibly the fact that something could go wrong.

Personal idenfication (Katz)-The stresses of the wedding turning out perfect.-Men relate to Steve.-Women relate to Becky and the clothes she wears and it being the ‘happiest day of their life’.-Going to a wedding in general.

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http://www.channel4.com/programmes/hollyoaks/4od

The above link will take you to some of the latest episodes of Hollyoaks.

1. What are the connotations of the ident for the popular Channel Four Teen Soap Opera Hollyoaks (1995 – Present)?

Relationships, friendships, love.

Teen problems, promiscuity.

Boys vs girls, finding themselves.

Next Page - Hollyoaks – “White Wedding Trailer” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2sW-r9Vb4

2. YOU MUST make notes on the following areas when deconstructing this sequence from Hollyoaks:

Binary opposition of the non-diegetic music Symbolism of the non-verbal code of the tear Representation of Pregnancy Any other examples that would impact the audience

‘Tear’ connotes unhappiness. It could also indicate her being scared. Black tear indicates depression she might be facing. Audience could personally identify with the ‘tragedy’ she’s going through of a ‘shotgun wedding.’

‘White wedding’ consists of non-diegetic music which is ironic. Furthermore, the black clothing connotes mystery and death which could signify the death of the bride. Disequilibrium of the close up of the mascara running down the brides face.

‘Shot gun wedding’ infers their marriage because she’s pregnant.

‘Hey little sister, what have you done?’ This non-diegetic music connotes guilt. -The shocked expressions on the choirs faces shows that pregnancy was an unexpected turn of events.

Production Work

1) What is the role of a Producer?

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Oversee all aspects of the production across the three stages: Pre- production, production ad post-production.

Manage everyone and ensure everything is in place in order for the text to look fit for purpose.

2) What is the role of a Director?

-Oversee the creative aspecrs of the production.

-Direct people in front and behind the camera.

3) Institution research –

YOU MUST research the institution that your trailer will be exhibited on.

Tips: Programming, Target audience, Audience figures, History of the channel.

The aim for BBC two is to launch ambitions and factual programs.

Their key is to appeal the viewer of ages 35-54 to reach out to a more culturally diverse audience.

The channels ethos are programs that are surprising, celebratory, witty, warm, adventure, intelligent, playful, informative and authoritative.

Week June 2nd 2014 – 8th June, BBC 2 reached a total of 3.2 million viewers.

BBC Two was launched 20th April 1964.

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