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1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Natalie Warren
Candidate Number: 6763
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Kat and Alfie Trailer – Eastenders - BBC One
Verbal Codes
The presence of verbal codes allowed the trailer to parody a wild western theme. The diegetic sound of Kat
flipping her mirror mimics the sound of a gun click which could connote that someone is going to be killed.
As the camera pans upward towards Kat’s face, the volume of the background music increases which implies
that Kat’s arrival will have a dramatic impact on the lives of the other characters. The verbal code of Kat’s
dialogue “where do you get a drink around here?” along with Alfie’s reply of “I think you’re gonna need one”
gives the audience an ominous feeling that a fight is going to occur between them.
Non-Verbal Codes
The opening scene where the paper blows in front of the burnt and closed pub could “signify” (Saussure) the
calm before the storm along with the road sign that is barely clinging on which could connote that there has
been a fight recently. Also, the closing of the blinds and hiding behind them once Alfie sees Kat along with
Janine’s sudden drop in her facial expression connotes that Kat is unwelcome to the neighborhood as she is
likely to cause trouble for these characters, therefore “survivors” (Maslow) will want to know if these
characters will be ok. Kat’s black cowboy outfit along with her confident posture could suggest that she is the
“sheriff” of the town whilst Alfie – who has a shadow hiding his face before he is revealed – is the “outlaw”.
Technical Codes
The upward pan of the camera onto Kat’s face conveys to the audience that she is likely to be a threat which
is emphasised by the destruction of the broken sign behind her. A close-up of Ian’s eyes reveals that Kat’s
appearance makes him feel afraid of what is going to happen, the audience can therefore become
“caregivers” (Maslow) towards him because they are aware from other non-verbal and verbal connotations
that Kat brings danger and destruction. The long shot of Alfie framed between Kat’s legs could suggest that
she has him trapped and conveys her superiority. A final aerial shot illustrates the “binary opposition”
(Strauss) between Kat and Alfie, which looks like a stand down before a gun fight, as Good vs Evil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4xlLezos0

3. Trailer 2 – Week One: Six Weeks of Summer (Official Hollyoaks Trailer)
Verbal Codes
The background music in the beginning starts off with a slow tempo until throughout the trailer it increases
as well as the pace and volume. This could suggest that at the start the characters are arguing about
something trivial and simplistic until finally the anger builds up, like the music, between them and results in
someone being killed. The first piece of dialogue we hear in the trailer is a woman saying “He’s given up on
me hasn’t he?” which already introduces and connotes the theme of conflict between certain characters.
Furthermore, the verbal code of “I thought she was my friend” implies that this woman has been betrayed
which may “signify” (Saussure) that someone is about to get hurt.
Non-Verbal Codes
The non-verbal code of Sienna’s facial expression in the trailer’s beginning connotes that she is silently
simmering with anger therefore “survivors” (Maslow) will want to know what or who she is angry with and
perhaps what she is planning to do; as she connotes danger for other characters. Also, Dr. Browning’s facial
expression after he sees the letter addressed to him is one of sudden realisation which implies that this letter
means him harm and threatens to perhaps expose him for something he has done.
Technical Codes
There is multiple jump cuts between a variety of characters as well as shot-reverse-shots to emphasise the
multi-stranded narrative and conflict between them. Also, there is a sudden jump cut between a woman’s
facial expression to her feet when she drops the letter and then back to her face, which implies that she has
seen something shocking which may affect the lives of her and the other characters. Towards the end of the
trailer, there is a low-angle long shot of the blonde-haired woman standing on a cliff with an over-the-
shoulder shot of the man who stands up behind her, these shots connote that the man is going to kill her
therefore increasing dramatic tension so that “survivors” (Maslow) will want to know what happens next to
her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfogWH0fK6c

4. Trailer 3 – The Corner – A2 Media Studies – Soap Opera Trailer
Verbal Codes
The verbal code of the background music created the most dramatic tension. The soundtrack had a low pace
and tempo which emphasised the chase between the man and the woman therefore “survivors” (Maslow)
will want to know if she is going to kill him and whether he’s going to be ok. Finally at the end of the trailer,
the sound of the steady heartbeat ending with a sudden sound of a gun shot could “signify” (Saussure) that
she has killed him and so he has failed to escape.
Non-Verbal Codes
The opening scene of a cemetery along with a shot of her red shoes has been used to illustrate that someone
is about to be killed and is emphasised by the colour red which has connotations of blood and danger. The
man running as fast as he can, seems to be at the mercy of the “strong woman” (Rebecca Feasey) wearing a
red dress to further highlight the danger he is in and his desperate need to get away from her. The reveal of a
hidden gun in her purse along with her rather calm and casual demeanor suggests that she has killed
someone before therefore conforming to the conflict theme in most soap operas.
Technical Codes
A close-up shot is used on the woman’s red shoes at the beginning of the trailer to “signify” (Saussure) that
she is the “villain” (Propp) of the story and therefore the one who means harm to the male character. There
is also multiple jump cuts between the male character running and the high angle shot of the female
character’s red dress; without showing her face. This creates suspense for the audience as the anonymity of
the female character emphasises her role as a “strong woman” (Rebecca Feasey) and capability of keeping
her identity hidden; therefore the audience could be wondering whether the man is aware of who he’s going
to be killed by or whether he only knows that he’s going to be killed but not by who.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG8EZmGunjQ

5. Trailer 4 – Skins – A2 Media Studies – Soap Opera Trailer
Verbal Codes
The verbal code of the non-diegetic soundtrack with the lyrics “ready to start” could signify (Saussure) how
the characters need to be prepared for something they all know that’s coming for them. After the character’s
switch from falling in slow-motion to falling rapidly, the pace of the soundtrack also increases as this
happens. Therefore this creates tension to draw the audience in as “caregivers” (Maslow) wonder what is
going to happen to the characters next, and since the trailer stops before they hit the ground, it is an
effective way of getting the audience to want to watch the new series.
Non-Verbal Codes
The non-verbal code of the character’s being nude to the transition of them wearing clothing could
symbolise the character’s transformation from them originally being innocent to them becoming deceitful
and hiding who they truly are or keeping secrets from others. Also, the binary opposition (Strauss) of the
lighting of the dark background in contrast to the brightness of the characters could connote how their dark
pasts will influence their futures. Furthermore, their facial expressions denote fear which could connote that
they are apprehensive of the future, and the further they fall, the more terrified they become.
Technical Codes
The technical code of the wide-shot showing the long fall the characters have to travel on throughout the
trailer conveys that, because they never stop falling before the trailer ends, they will have to continue
towards the danger coming for them whether they want to or not. The multiple close-up shots of each
character’s face and an over-the-shoulder shot showing one character looking towards someone else could
demonstrate some form of “disequilibrium” (Todorov) as there seems to be antagonism between the
characters which could attract an audience as lots of drama is essentially what audiences expect from a soap
opera and they watch them for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKa4dTAqE4

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis – Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength
I think that a particular area of strength in this trailer is the continuity of the Western theme through the use of the
character’s costumes, the background music, the various technical codes showing the standoff between Kat and Alfie etc.
In my own trailer, I’d like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the use of a theme as I believe it is a very effective way of keeping an
audience interested and likely to watch the show. I’d also like to ‘repeat’ the various camera shots used in the trailer such
as shot-reverse-shots to emphasise conflict between characters as it is a powerful and useful way to convey tension
between certain characters.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength
In this trailer, I found the simple close-up shots of multiple character’s facial expressions to be a clever technique at just
using non-verbal codes to illustrate what the character’s thinking or feeling. I would like to ‘repeat’ this in my trailer as it
gives me the opportunity to display something like anger or fear efficiently without having to use verbal codes such as
dialogue. Furthermore, the background music slowly gets louder and more intense throughout the trailer as each scene
increasingly gets more dramatic. I would also like to ‘repeat’ this in my trailer as “survivors” (Maslow) will want to know
what is going to happen to the characters and if they’ll be ok; therefore keeping the audience interested.
Trailer 3) – Areas of Strength
Furthermore, in this trailer, I found the use of symbolism through the colour red to be cleverly used as the audience can
draw various connotations from it therefore leaving the character’s fates to be ambiguous. I would like to ‘repeat’ some
form of symbolism in my trailer so that the audience can think of their own conclusions to what might happen in the
show. I’d also like to ‘repeat’ the use of props such as guns which they used as this effectively conveys the prominent
theme of conflict and murder that most soap operas use.
Trailer 4) – Areas of Strength
Similarly to Trailer 2, this trailer’s soundtrack begins quite soft and slow but then slowly gets louder and more intense.
Therefore, as I have now seen multiple popular soap operas use this verbal technique in their trailers, I feel strongly
influenced to ‘repeat’ this as it seems to be a common and effective method in soap operas to attract an audience into
focusing on the trailer and keeping them interested as they may wonder what’s going to happen to the characters;
especially at the climatic point at the end of the trailer once the music reaches its peak.