Research into the main conventions of a Soap Trailer

1. Conventions of a TV Soap
Trailer

2. Most soaps include issues that people can relate to, including:
An issue can be the basis for the show that week, but their multi-strand storylines allow them to include more
than one issue, including different characters in the show to make it look more realistic. They are usually set in
one place and rarely introduce new characters, helping the audience to identify the characters and understand
what is going on. Soap narrative can also be used to raise awareness to the audience.
The Uses & Gratifications theory relates to these conventions, as it is believed that audiences watch things for a
number of reasons including:
• Information
• Personal identity
• Integration and social interaction
• Entertainment
Which can be used as a basis for what soaps include in their storylines. The audience need to be able to relate to
the content as they can then use this for the entertainment pleasure they are seeking. For example, personal
identity involves the audience identifying with a valued other, and the soap will only be able to achieve this if it
includes characters that they believe are similar to the target audience.
Relationship issues Sexual identity Friendship issues
Drug addictions Fights Family issues
Money problems
CrimeDeath
IllnessSexual infidelity

3. The most recent popular storylines include:
Hayley Croppers cancer story, whose
final episode saw 10million people tune
in
Sienna Blake's search for her daughter and
mental breakdown
Lucy's murder, which attracted around 6.4 million viewers

5. Conventional characters:
There a number of different archetypes of the male character featured in soaps. These
different types of characters contribute to the narrative. Binary Opposites can be used
to decipher narrative, such as the villain and the hero. Propp created a theory which
stated that there are around 12 archetypes that are regularly used in media products.
Conventional
male
characters
The villain
These characters are usually crazy murderers who are featured in the
soap using dramatic irony. The audience know who the killer is but
the characters don’t. Characters of this archetype include Will from
Hollyoaks, David from Coronation Street and Nick Cotton from
EastEnders. They are usually dressed in dark clothes used to conceal
their identity
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Villains?from=Main.Villain
http://www.slideshare.net/simsimma/narrative-theories-7000181
The hero
This is the most conventional character of a
soap, and usually involves someone tall, dark
and handsome who is favourited by most of
the female characters. They appear caring
and never do anything wrong, and are always
there to help the ‘princess’ out.The helper
This person is usually seen as
the ‘sidekick’ of the hero, he
too appears caring and tries to
help the hero along the way.
They are usually dressed in
bold prints that do not
compliment their looks, and
sometimes wear glasses
The joker
The character who
usually thinks they are a
‘jack-the-lad’ who flirts
with all the female
characters and lives
stress free.

7. Conventional characters:
There are also a few attractive female characters in the soap, some of them are
dressed provocatively, to attract the male audience and present heterosexual and
homosexual relationship storylines.
Conventional
female
characters
The heroine
Sometimes there are female
characters that appear to
save the day. These women
usually see the best in
everyone.
The helper
This female character usually
helps the heroine in some
way, and is kind and caring.
These characters are usually
quite shy and quiet
The villain
These female characters are scheming and
relentless. There a few used in soaps, but
usually scheme against a male character or
a fellow female character. This archetype is
usually dominant over the other female
characters, and aren't very popular with
other characters
The princess
The princess usually needs saving
from the ‘hero’. She is vulnerable
and caught up in the villains plans.
They are usually attractive with
long hair and girly clothes. The
audience are made to feel sorry for
them as they appear powerless to
the dominant male character

9. Conventional characters:
Young children are also featured in soaps to make them more relatable for parents and
younger children.
Conventional
teenage
characters
The helper
This character usually helps the hero or
heroine, and is caring for other people and
always willing to help out
The villain
This character is usually
cunning and plans to ruin
other characters. Some plans
may include bullying or
embarrassing their peers, but
some storylines have seen
teens involved in murders and
rape
The rogue
This character is usually bolshy
and outspoken, and uses their
looks and attitude to manipulate
people. They do not care about
school or other peoples
opinions. They are dressed
similarly in revealing clothes and
red seductive lips
The innocent
This teen is usually vulnerable, and
has suffered with the dramas of
adult life brings
http://goteenwriters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/list-of-character-archetypes.html

11. Conventional locations:
It is conventional for soap dramas to be set in a location like a lane, road or street.
Conventional
settings
Village
Emmerdale is set in a village in the Yorkshire dales, which
represents their rural setting. Hollyoaks is also set in a
village, a little different from Emmerdale as there are
more nightclubs and shops
Square
EastEnders is set in a square,
where there is a lot of houses
enabling them to feature more
characters and shops
Residential cul-de-
sac
Neighbours is set in a
residential cul-de-sac,
showing the lively suburb
setting

12. Original soap trailer ideas that are effective:
Once upon a Weatherfield
Fantasy idea of fairytale, theme
which is independent from the actual
genre, imaginative, original
Hollyoaks The Bus Crash
Over dramatic, dark, includes storyline theme
(dark) indicates what is going to happen
without actually showing it, keeps the
audience interested
Hurricane Sharon
Effective, imaginative,
creative, entertaining

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
-
pWr06mx8y8&index=8&list=PLUIR5p
ZGIR6zBfEke3J9lIIuC54lA68YV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V
KbgDzox4FM
Hollyoaks Will and Texas Wedding
Sound bridge, multi strand narrative,
dramatic music, shot clips that cut to the
beat, facial expressions. Linked to twitter
with #
Eastenders Who Killed Lucy Beale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utOBfH
CGo
Coronation Street Who Kills Tina
Mid shot of different characters involved,
historic flashbacks, dramatic music, narrator
over the top of channel ident, time and
programme, features theme tune, short clips
of her falling off of building
Shadowing word art effective,
entertaining, linked to theme.
Dramatic slow music, focus pull, eye
effect, different storylines who killed
her? Slow motion, tag line, narrator
over channel ident

14. Other effective A level videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FodOn9DA
UTQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLNFmieIx
og
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=PlZ1Ggyx9_o
Slow shot circling actors works well as it
highlights that they are doing something
important, makes it more creative and
entertaining
Flashbacks work well, contrast between
bright and dark develops storyline
Camera in the bottle looks
effective, different type of
camera shots which entertains
audience, builds up tension