The document discusses how the author's media production for their coursework both uses conventions from real soap operas like EastEnders and Hollyoaks, as well as challenges some conventions, to make the production recognizable as a soap opera but also unique. Specifically, the author looked at conventions like settings, character types, storylines, and shot types from other soap opera trailers and incorporated them into their own trailer. However, they also challenged conventions by using a younger cast, not sexually objectifying characters, and ending on a close-up of the main character smirking rather than with a shocked expression. The author believes following proven techniques but also introducing new elements will make their soap opera successful.

1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
By Lucy Harrold

2. During my coursework production I understood that certain
aspects of my soap opera would need to meet the conventions
of other real media products eg Eastenders, Hollyoaks in order
for it to be a success.
In achieving this in depth knowledge on a large variety of real
media products was needed in order for me to create a similar
genre, making my soap opera look professional and
recognisable but in order for my soap opera to be a success I
needed to challenge certain conventions making my soap
recognisable and different from previous ones.

3. Soap opera trailers
 I looked at a number of soap opera trailers in order to understand the
forms and conventions expected of my soap opera, enabling it to be
a success and for me to produce professionalism.

4. Typical pub establishing shot, features all main
characters looking specifically at something.
Natural lighting and a variety of medium shots and close
ups.
Pathetic fallacy of a cloudy day connoting something bad
may happen.
Ends on a close up of the main characters face,
shocked expression for the mise en scen, wearing
makeup and a low cut top illustrating she may be
sexually objectified.
Low key lighting in the background, female dressed in
white connoting her innocence.
Indoor setting, one main character.
Pathetic fallacy of dark clouds connoting something
bad will happen within the trailer.
No characters used and a recognisable font is used
at the beginning.

5. Aspects I have taken from these
trailers….
Within my trailer I have used aspects of the weather
such as the shine off the sun to create ironic pathetic
fallacy.
Also I have ended my soap opera trailer with my main
characters face smirking as I found this was an
effective as it created engima.
I have followed the connotation of using a pub as my
opening scene as this is a typical feature in any soap
opera.

6. Cast..
 I have used an original cast therefore I have challenged the
conventions of a real media product by using non
recognisable characters.
 I have also used young characters which challenges real
media products as typically there are older characters within
a soap opera.
 I chose to not sexually objectify any of my characters and the
props I used were minimal.

7. Storyline…
 I have followed the typical conventions of a soap opera
storyline as I believe the most successful storyline is when
someone is returning.
 I have used a typical female character as my main character
and the themes I have chosen are typical of a soap opera.
(Death, Love, Hate, Deciet, ect)
 My storyline is based on someone coming back who was in a
previous relationship with my main male character.

8. Setting/Ending…
 I used the typical setting conventions of a soap opera, I
opened with a pub setting and filmed my entire soap opera in
a street which is similar to many soap operas.
 I went onto using shots at night in dark ally’s and typical living
room home settings.
 I have chosen to not illustrate my main characters face
throughout the entire soap opera trailer until the end where I
used a close up of my main characters face in order to create
enigma and suspense which is a typical convention of soap
opera.

9. shot types/camera movement…
 I have followed conventions of soap operas by using close
ups of my main characters walking along the street in order
to create suspense as her face is not being revealed.
 I have also challenged conventions by using over the
shoulder shots in order see the reaction shots.
 I have adopted the technique JJ Abrams uses within his
directing, using pathetic fallacy in medium shots where the
sun reflects on the camera, this is not typically seen in soap
operas.

10. I believe my soap opera will be a success as I have followed
the successful techniques used by real media products. I have
also challenged conventions by adopting new original
techniques in order to differ my soap opera from other real
media texts.