An in depth analysis of soap opera posters.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Ancillary Product
Analysis
Name: Jack J Connell
Candidate Number: 1103
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Main Image: The non-verbal code of the main image on this
poster is a medium close-up of one of the main protagonists.
There has been a slight red coloured filter overlaid over the
image which could have connotations of fear as the girl’s
facial expression looks slightly worried and apprehensive.
Her body language is quite striking as it looks as if she is
hiding and her eyes are pointing away from the camera.
Tagline: The verbal code of the tagline is quite
striking on this poster as it is short, to the point
and dramatic without revealing too much.
The last verbal code is on a separate line in it’s
own sentence with a full stop which almost acts
like a cliffhanger. The bold white text fades out to
black like the image of the girl.
Institution Logo: The institution logo is displayed
subtly like the hashtag in the bottom corner of
the page. The audience will understand that the
show is available on this channel, an established
PSB service.
Synergy With Social Media: The social media
#hashtag is presented in the same format as the
institution logo. The addition of this helps to
promote the show and gives the audience a
platform to discuss the show.
Brand Identity: These two icons
in the bottom corners of the
page help to create a ‘brand
identity’ for the audience.

3. Image – This image has been manipulated
using photo editing software to make it
look like the characters are on fire. Their
aren’t any visible items of clothing in the
shot although everything is covered up
with the ‘fire’ effect. The connotations
behind this could be sex, relationships,
romance but also danger and guilt. These
mixed feeling are supported by the fact
that two of the women’s body language is
quite closed and apprehensive while the
other women is open and confident.
Tagline – The tagline is short and
to the point with verbal codes like
“forever” being used. The impact
that this has on the audience is
that this would be an unmissable
week due to what is happening in
the show. The date is important
to show when the programme is
on but also it is the 5th November
and the characters could be being
portrayed like fireworks.
Institution Logo – The
institution logo is presented in
quite a large size on the right
hand side of the poster. Only the
edges of the logo are opaque in
the white colour but you can
still see the poster though the
logo. This provides the
information of who owns the
program and what channel the
programme will be on.

4. Student Exemplar Work – Textual Analysis
Institution Logo:
The institution logo
is displayed in the
bottom left side of
the page in white
to inform what
channel the soap
will be on but also
to promote that
institution.
Synergy With
Social Media:
Social media links
are displayed next
to institution logo.
The addition of this
helps to promote
the show and gives
the audience a
platform to discuss
the show thus
generating more
hype and
excitement.
Main Image – This image has been manipulated using photo editing
software so that the characters have had the background cut out.
The character have then been placed over an image of what seems
to be one of the key settings in the soap which is a pub. The
background image has also had a black fading after effect applied
which hints at a dystopian setting. The characters are framed in a
medium close up shot where their facial expressions are revealed.
Tagline – The tagline has been done in
a blood red colour which is effective as
their isn’t much colour on the rest of
the page. The connotations behind this
could be death, danger and blood
which links in with the term ‘killer’. The
line is punchy, dramatic and effective.
Reviews – The
addition of the
reviews is very
effective as the
audience will see
this and will want to
watch it for
themselves to see if
it lives up to the
reviews. They also
use quite dramatic
words like
‘enthralling’ which
builds excitement.
Date – The date is
neatly presented in
white along with the
institutions link for
the show. The
audience know
when the show will
be on from this
information.

5. Conventions That I Would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980)
After looking at the examples above, there are a few conventions
that I would like to ‘repeat’ on my own magazine poster. First of all
I think the Synergy With Social Media is effective at generating
hype and excitement for the audience. Also I will put on the
Institution Logo as this will help to inform the audience where
they can find the show and this will also help to promote that
institution. An effective Tagline is also an important feature that I
would like to include on my own magazine poster to create drama
and interest without revealing too much. The Main Image should
be a high quality medium close up shot that revels the characters
facial expressions. As well as this I think that some Reviews would
be a good addition to add in as this is a good technique to get
people to view the programme.