My A2 Media Studies soap opera textual analysis.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Adam Fox
Candidate Number: 2052
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – EastEnders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIjnOoiM8KU
Verbal Codes
The diegetic dialogue is used to tell that audience the thoughts and feelings of the
characters towards each other. This is demonstrated in the verbal code “I think you should
take that big fat mouth of yours and disappear” This is effective as it shows the audience
their opinions from their view point, however, this could be considered to blunt and
deliberate for the trailer and to make the drama simplistic. The non-diegetic soundtrack
was of the rock music elk. It was slow in pace, this connotes the slow rise of tensions
among the characters to lead to an anticipated climax. This will appeal to the audience as
they are ‘survivors’ (Maslow).
Non-Verbal Codes
The lighting in the trailer was high key in most scenes that are presented, this is
contrasting to the dark content of betrayal and communities turning on each other. This
could connote that despite the verbal codes that reveal the content of the upcoming
episode, that there is sit hope. This could be used to advertise to the survivor audience as
they want to know that the story will be happy in the end. The setting is in the east end of
London and a lot of the scenes are in the streets and in the pubs. This allows the audience
to identify with the characters as there is a high likely hood that the target market will
knew these settings well.

3. Technical Codes
The camera angles are used to show the importance of the different characters in the
story, for example: Vincent is represented with low angles to exaggerate his importance as
he appears to be the center of the conflict. This also makes him seem worse then possibly
he is. This is also demonstrated through the use of a dolly to follow his walk down the
street at the start of the trailer. The shots are close to the characters: mostly ranging from
close-ups to medium shots. This connotes that the audience is supposed to be emotionally
engaged with the characters as the close proximity allows he audience to judge and
interpret there fascial expression.
Non-Verbal Codes
A lot of the characters are aggressive in their presentation and interaction with each other,
this is so because the community seem to be ganging up on Vincent because of his
flirtations with other women opposed to his wife. This is especially so in the lead female
characters in the trailer as they are accusing each other for the events that have befallen
the community.
The facial expressions of the characters are mostly anger at the events or defiance in that
they will fight for their argument in the overall plot of the drama. This captures the
individualistic nature of Londoners as they are more likely to look out for themselves then
each other. This will appeal as it allows for ‘personal relationship’ (Katz).

4. Trailer 2 – Hollyoaks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0qQ3HFaxpw
Verbal Codes
The dialogue is used to give the audience content for the story. This is demonstrated in the
verbal code “ I’m appealing to get my sentence reduced.” This connotes that the man has
acted criminally before but is about to unleash his revenge on those who acted against
him, this is revealed later in the trailer. The soundtrack is an intense orchestral music and
adds drama to the situation. This is true when the drum beat restarts and two characters
kissing. This connotes that this will affect the plot and relationship of the characters in the
narrative.
The diegetic sound effect of the heart monitor is used to ‘signify’ (De Saussure) that the
characters life is in the balance and when it stops it connotes the finality of life and this
indicates that someone will die, thus changing the dynamic of series.
Non-Verbal Codes
The facial expressions of the characters are used for the audience to have judgements
about the characters. For example, Will is shown with a cunning and planning look on his
face when he is talking about his reduced sentence. This connotes that the audience are
supposed to not like him when they watch the episode. Whereas, everyone else has
desperate expressions, this connotes the dire situation and acts to entice the audience.

5. Technical Codes
Extreme close ups are used to denote the processes in the hospital, which is
effective as it means that the audience are left questioning what they are looking at.
This creates tension and suspense. The editing pace at the end speeds up as it
reaches the climax of the action. This connotes the fast progression of events for the
characters in the narrative and heightens the danger that they are face. During this
section the audience are presented with close up shots of the main characters
involved. This is good as it allows them to read the faces and feelings of the
characters. Shot reverse shot is used when one of the male characters says “I might
have HIV.” this shows the desperation that he is in when saying this verbal code. The
second shot shows his partners horrified reaction. This is effective as it allows he
audience to engage with both characters and empathies with them. Close up shots
are used in this sequence to further allow the emotional engagement. Another use
of shot reverse is when Will revels his plans to take the reduced sentence. When
A lot of the action takes place in the hospital. This connotes that the situation is
severe as people only go to the hospital if they are badly injured, this means that for
the characters to end up in a hospital the action surrounding them if intense and
they are in a vary dangerous situation.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
The EastEnders trailer has good use of dialoged to summarize the thoughts of the characters
and produce the context to the series. This is crucial to use as the audience will judge the
series based on the trailer and so I need to make my trailer exiting. Therefore I will ‘repeat’
(Steve Neale) this in order to please the target market. The trailer also uses the theme of
betrayal in the community. This is worth adding to my own production as people want to see
this in drama series.
The use of camera angles to show status is effective in this trailer. This would be useful to
include in my own trailer.

7. The Hollyoaks trailer has very good use of soundtrack to portray the theme of the
narrative, in this case: revenge. It is also good introducing new effects at key moments
in the trailer to show key relationships with characters. This is especial poignant in
soap operas as this genre is largely constructed on the relationships with the character
and how that plays in the overall situation. This is definitely something that I would
‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) due to it’s dramatic nature and ability to conjure emotional
responses from the audiences.
Another aspect that I would investigate using in my production is the use of different
editing speeds as this will change the look of the trailer and make key moments stand
out. This also makes sure that the audience remain fully engaged with the feature as f
it becomes to monotonous they will not want to see it and therefore the series will
not be watched.
Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast