Textual Analysis of two soap opera trailers.

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

2. Trailer 1 – EastEnders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upBV74yw7vg
Verbal Codes – The trailer starts off with a heavy aeroplane ambient sound which sounds very similar to WW2 planes,
which could connote to how there is going to be a ‘blitz’ of drama in the upcoming ‘EastEnders’ series. The audience are then
met with a non-diegetic soundtrack which starts of quite gently and slowly builds with the verbal code “they did a bad, bad
thing” which ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) how there are guilty characters without revealing who which prompts people to want
to watch the series. The muffled scream from “Jane” as “Phil” grabs her is quite shocking and gets the audience exited with
the action. Small pieces of diegetic dialogue like “It’s such a mess” and “Not guilty” give very small insights into the plot
without giving much away which further draws the audience in to watch the rest of the series. The closing line is “Bobby?”
which leaves the trailer on a cliffhanger before the iconic sound motif of the Eastenders beats.
Non-Verbal Codes – The settings are urban such as the train station and inside some of the homes on the square.
This gives a sense of familiarity to previous ‘EastEnders’ viewers which draws them back in to watch the show and reinforces
the working class east London environment. People are wearing ‘everyday’ outfits except for the shots in the court room
where many of the characters are wearing suits which reinforces the fact that something serious has happened. Some of the
characters are in high key lighting, for example in the courtroom, which is then contrasted by the low key lighting in the
house where “Phil” is holding “Jane” up to the mirror which suggests that the “bad things” like in the soundtrack revolve
around her which could denote her as a ‘Villain’ (Propp) which is intriguing for the audience. The is also a clear shot of fire
which connotes to danger and action. The facial expressions reveal a lot in this trailer particularly in the scenes with Phil and
Jane. Phil is clearly angry while Jane looks frightened which could reveal insights into the plot.
Technical Codes – Throughout the trailer there are many ‘eye line match’ shots that reveal the troubled facial
expressions of the characters in the text. This ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) that many of the characters are involved in the “bad
things” but the audience don’t know who or what its about which promotes the audience to watch the series. The shots of
the character’s faces are fast paced which build up tension and excitement. There is a low angle dominant shot a of “Phil”
with lines of light and shadow across his face which could suggest that he is caught between the good and bad in the action
and the audience will have to watch the show to find out. This is contrasted with a high angle shot of “Ian” as he could be
seen as being a victim. Some tracking shots of cars highlight the action in the series, however the most prominent shot in the
trailer is the mirror shot of “Phil” and “Jane” that reveals the anguished facial expressions of the two characters. The camera
will often slowly zoom and pan throughout the trailer particularly when there are shots that reveal facial expressions such as
the medium close ups of Max and Ian.

4. Trailer 2 – Coronation Street https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w51KhdDSeto
Verbal Codes – At the very beginning of the trailer the audience are met with a fast paced non-diegetic instrumental
soundtrack that instantly builds excitement. This is followed by a female character’s diegetic dialogue of “I can’t do this” in a
distressed voice which gains the audiences attention effectively. At the end of impactful pieces of dialogue there is an echo
on the last word such as “explode” which emphasises the drama. There is a small flashback that is anchored by a non-
diegetic piece of dialogue in the background of someone saying “I can’t do this” which is quite dramatic and would appeal to
the audience and make them want to watch on. The small pieces of dialogue give an insight into the dark storyline without
revealing too much. The audience can instantly see characters who are fighting creating a dystopian atmosphere.
Non-Verbal Codes – The setting in ‘Coronation Street’ is an urban community environment that gives the audience a
sense that the issues presented in the trailer will have an effect on everyone in the community as it is quite closely knit. The
clothing is quite casual which signifies that these characters are ‘normal’ people that the audience would be able to relate to.
Multiple facial expressions of anger, fear and sadness are portrayed in this trailer which ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) that there is
tension amongst the characters in the soap. Low key lighting is a key non-verbal code as it illustrates a dark and sinister
mood, particularly when a character is in frame it hints at the fact that they could be ‘bad’ and one to watch out for in the
series. Some of the characters postures, particularly one of the male protagonists, looks quite shifty which could suggest that
he is guilty. This could also denote him as a ‘Villain’ (Propp).
Technical Codes – Throughout the trailer an image of a manhole can be seen in the background of some of the shots
particularly when the characters are becoming emotional about the issue that has happened. This connotes that this is the
root of the problem and could be where the “dead body” that is mentioned is situated. The are multiple ‘shot reverse shots’
in the sequence that reveal the guilt and distress that some of the characters are experiencing. The overall pace is fast
highlighting the large amount of action that is within the soap which would appeal to the ‘thrill seekers’ in the audience. The
low angle shots of the two people at the end in the doorway has connotations to dominance but by their facial expressions it
could suggest that they have something to hide which sets up the cliffhanger ending very well. A lot of close up shots are
used to reveal the characters facial expressions which makes the trailer more intense. The camera tracks some of the
characters as they walk which could suggest that whatever is going on is a burden for the characters.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – There are a number of conventions within the ‘EastEnders’ trailer that I would ‘repeat’ in my own trailer.
The use of a non-diegetic soundtrack is very effective in this trailer as it builds up tension and excitement for the
audience in the way that it builds. I would also have some short examples of dialogue from certain characters as this
gives a small insight into the story, but leaves the audience wanting to know more. This would be even more effective if
I ‘repeated’ (Steve Neale) how the dialogue left the trailer on a cliffhanger. My trailer would also be showcased in some
kind of ‘community’ environment like ‘EastEnders’ however this environment would not be familiar to my audience so I
would have to introduce some key parts of the community like ‘The Queen Vic’ in ‘EastEnders’. I would also ‘repeat’ the
kinds of clothing worn as it is quite casual and reflects on the kind of working class audience that watch soap operas.
The lighting would also be a useful tool in my trailer to help determine who is ‘good’ and who is ‘bad’. I would also
‘repeat’ the eye-line match shots as these reveal the anguished facial expressions of the characters that further builds
up excitement and makes the audience want to watch the rest of the series. I would endeavor to “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995) some of the conventions such as the short lines of dialogue for a dramatic effect and the
community like setting.
Trailer 2) – This trailer is effective due to how well some of the conventions were used. If I want my trailer to be
engaging and impactful like the ‘Coronation Street’ trailer then I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) some of the following
conventions. The non-diegetic soundtrack along with short snippets of impactful dialogue are effective at building
tension and drama in the trailer whilst giving a hint into the story and how the characters are involved. This would be
something that I would be looking to ‘repeat’ in my own soap opera trailer. Ideally I would like my trailer to be based in
some kind of community environment like in ‘Coronation Street’ as this gives good context to the story. The lighting is
also an important factor that I would ‘exploit’ in my trailer as this can instantly set the mood for characters and
situations. Important shots that reveal facial expressions and postures are significant and something that I would be
looking to include in my own trailer. I would like to “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) the casual clothing worn by the
characters in the trailer so keep up with the realness of the trailer which will help my target audience to relate to what
is going on.