1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Terna Jogo
Candidate Number: 6425
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 – EastEnders – BBC1
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The presence of the verbal code of the non-diegetic soundtrack which has been stylized to the type of music you would hear in a
western movie, corresponds with the non-verbal codes in the trailer such as the sepia toned colour of the trailer and the cowboy boots
both Kat and Alfie are wearing. The western style music ‘signifies’ to the audience that there is going to be some sort of face off or
rivalry between the two characters Kat and Alfie. This is further emphasized by the verbal code of the diegetic sound of a character
gasping at the sight of Kat and Ian commenting “flippin’ heck”. In addition the verbal code of the non-diegetic voiceover saying “It’s all
kicking off in the square” further reinforces that there will be a face off. The verbal code of the diegetic sound of Kat’s cowboy boots
clacking along the ground sounds quite formidable and intimidating and connotes to the audience that this a character that should be
feared. The diegetic verbal code of Kat saying “Where d'you get a drink around here” which is followed by the camera cutting to a long
shot of the pub implies that this is where she could get a drink and also reinforces the convention that a pub in soap operas is that
central meeting point for the community.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters
The non-verbal code of the Queen Victoria pub conforms to the soap opera genre forms and conventions of there being a communal
place where everyone can come together which really enforces that sense of community. The non-verbal code of the Queen Victoria
pub windows being boarded up and the charred marks on the building connotes that there has possibly been a fire and creates a
dystopian setting. The non-verbal code of a of a pair of cowboy boots walking, compliments the verbal code of the non-diegetic western
soundtrack and implies that there is going to be some sort of stand off. The non – verbal code of Jane’s worried expression as she
hurriedly closes her shutters, intrigues the audience as to who this character is, that seems to be bringing some sort of disequilibrium to
the square. The non – verbal code of Kat pulling out a vanity mirror from her “holster”, which again goes with the western theme of the
trailer, (which is actually her handbag) conveys to the audience the type of character she is; possibly a bit superficial but also quite
tough and confrontational, as she confidently strode into the square and also appears to be about to have a confrontation. The non-
verbal code Kat dropping her leopard print handbag to the floor that has metallic handles alludes to the working class status of her
character because the bag looks cheap and tacky as if it has come from a market stall, which is highly likely in Eastenders. The non-
verbal code of Kat’s firm and resolved facial expression connotes that she is determined to go through with whatever she has come back
to the square to do or that she is determined to win this stand off. The non-verbal code of Alfie being dressed head to toe in black
clothing ‘signifies’ that he worthy opponent for the seemingly intimidating Kat because the connotations of the colour black are power,
authority and strength.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4xlLezos0

3. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement
The technical code of the establishing shot of ‘The Queen Victoria’ pub or “ The Queen Vic” – as the locals call it - immediately provides
a familiar and iconic setting on the square to the audience. It also creates some verisimilitude for the target audience (working class) as
going to the pub is a stereotypically working class leisure activity. The technical code of close-up of Jane’s face emphasizes the non-
verbal code of her worried expression which is a result of seeing an unknown character at this point walking through the square from
her shutters. The technical code of the camera tilt reveals the character that has made Jane so worried which the audience sees is Kat
Moon. The technical code of a slow tilt of Kat from head to toe allows the audience to fully take in this character and familiarize
themselves to an extent with her. Furthermore it allows the audience to fully see her costume which is reminiscent of what a “cow girl”
would stereotypically wear, complete with tassels and cow boy boots. The technical code of a low angle close up of Alfie’s face connotes
that he is an important character in the square and possibly signifies that he is a strong and worthy opponent for Kat. The technical code
of a low angle, broken frame shot of Alfie from between Kat’s legs, connotes that they have some history together, most likely romantic
as that is quite an intimate place to shoot from. The technical code of a shot reverse shot between Kat and Alfie, as the camera goes
from a close up of their faces to an extreme close up featuring just their eyes, ‘signifies’ that they are about to have some sort of
confrontation or face off. This is further emphasized by the verbal code of the non-diegetic sound of a single drumbeat each time the
camera goes in closer to either Kat or Alfie’s face.
Trailer 1 – Kat and Alfie – EastEnders – BBC1

4. Trailer 2 – Coronation Street - Tram Crash - Promo
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The verbal code of the non-diegetic sound of the happy, upbeat soundtrack helps to construct a utopian setting. The
verbal code of the diegetic sound of the harsh and loud noise of sirens, that abruptly cuts into the happy setting of
Coronation street ‘signifies’ that something negative has or is about to happen.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters
The non-verbal code of the juxtaposition of the utopian looking street with high key lighting and the majority of characters smiling and
looking happy with the dystopian setting of what seems to be a fire/police station with low key lighting and fast moving action connotes
to the audience the imminence of some disequilibrium. The non-verbal code of some of the characters facial expressions also conveys
that something is wrong, for example at the start of the trailer there is a woman laughing with a man who smiles half heartedly at her
and then immediately looks worried. The non-verbal code of three heterosexual couples, two families, a homosexual couple, three
platonic couples and a father daughter couple ‘signifies’ that relationships is a prominent theme in Coronation Street and will also be a
big theme in the tram crash storyline.
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement
The technical code of a mid shot of a male character looking shocked/upset after he has come off the phone
connotes that he has been told some bad news. The technical code of a pan from a couple cuddling/kissing to a
bridge gives an ominous feeling and connotes that this may be the bridge where the tram crash happens and
disrupts the happiness in the street.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcVoNEhhICU

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale - 1980) and/or
‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995)
I thought the comparison of Kat and Alfie’s rivalry to a western/cowboy standoff was really great
however I would not ‘repeat’ this because my soap opera trailer is meant to be for a new soap and I
think repeating the style of the Kat and Alfie trailer would confuse the viewer. I would like to ‘repeat’
some of the camera shots and angles used in this trailer as I think the cinematography was of a very high
standard for a soap opera trailer. Lastly something this trailer did extremely well was incorporate
diegetic sound, which conventionally soap opera trailers don’t have. I think it would be be beneficial to
‘exploit’ this.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale - 1980) and/or
‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995)
Trailer 2 was good at using music. The soundtrack used was very fitting to the whole trailer and the lyrics
seemed to imply something so I would like to ‘repeat’ how they used their music. The editing in the
trailer was also impressive and really helped to tell the story well and looked like it would be easy to
replicate.