Independent Textual Analysis

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: George Barnstable
Candidate Number: 3010
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Coronation Street
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdR8884EgGY)
Verbal Codes –The diegetic verbal code of “Right, I think we should take this in the back room” signifies Amy’s belief
that the situation is soon to escalate and demonstrates her role as the motherly figure who is attempting to calm the
chaos that is about to unfold. Also, “You won’t give me what's mine? I’ll just have to destroy it” connotes Michelle’s
severe emotional hatred towards Steve because of his controlling attitude on their divorce. This verbal code hints at
the chaos that is soon to occur from Michelle launching champagne bottles at areas of the pub and through its
window.
Non-Verbal Codes – It is extremely noticeable that as Michelle strolls, unimpressed, around and then into the bar,
her facial expression suggests a lack of care and expression, which signifies (De Saussure) her fragile state which has
lead her to lack emotion and knowledge of what is right and wrong. This suggests her dominance as a female, which
is both stereotypical and non-stereotypical in the modern day and age. Additionally, the female antagonist Michelle
is dressed in all black, denoting her as the evil and villainous character (Propp). As she quickly walks out of the bar,
she begins to breathe fast and deep, connoting her fear.
Technical Codes – The scene is formed with multiple mid-close up shots, due to the ability for this technical code to
capture the facial expressions of the characters, especially Michelle and Steve as they bicker back and forth in
argument. Whereas, the technical code of the long shot captures Amy’s effort of trying to calm the situation down as
she nervously looks back and forth from Michelle and Steve, unable to stay still. This demonstrates her lack of
control and is a good way of showcasing the four characters thoughts due to their body language.

3. Trailer 2 – EastEnders
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCA1Bey0lr0)
Verbal Codes – The use of the diegetic verbal code of “No you cant. I already told you, no one can” ’signifies’ the lack
of hope for the female antagonist dressed in school uniform. This verbal code is able to build a ‘personal
relationship’ between character and viewer due to the belief that most Soap Opera watchers have once said such
line or felt such emotion, in which they feel hopeless. Moreover, “What you gonna do? Hit me again?” denotes
Keegan’s stereotypical teenager laisse faire attitude, in which he is unaware if others feelings and is self-centered. As
a character, Keegan is able to be ’identifies’ with by the audience as most Soap Opera watchers have teenagers who
are currently in this ‘teen’ stage or have gone through it, denoting how viewers are able to build relationships with
characters. His stereotypical teenager attitude is further demonstrated when he says “Alright, chill out” to the male
antagonist who had been needing his help the whole night.
Non-Verbal Codes – Keegan is dressed in clothing which is associated with the youth; he is wearing a Nike camo
tracksuit which is a common set of clothing worn by gang members and other criminals. Additionally, his silver stud
earring and short shaved hair with a line going through it demonstrates his care-free attitude and youth. As he talks
to the female antagonist, whom threats him to not be in this part of the town, he looks unbothered, and as
previously said care-free about the whole situation. This is further implied when he is approached by the male
antagonist who raises his voice at Keegan, while Keegan stays calm and simply unbothered. Therefore, audiences are
easily able to ‘identify’; to Keegan because mothers have likely witnessed this behaviour before by their own
children.
Technical Codes – As Keegan is seen by the two schoolgirls, he is shot in the technical code of a long shot, which is
also a broken frame shot. This is able to ‘signify’ his corrupt life and attitude towards people, which is later proved
due to his nature of the way he talks the female and male characters. As Keegan is walking through the town, the
camera uses a tracking shot to stay slightly focused on him as he casually strolls through the town. It is also worth
noticing that as Keegan falls into conversation with these characters, he is then shot in a medium-close up shot,
which allows the audience to see his facial expressions.

4. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) the denotation of the black outfit worn by
Michelle to ‘signify’ an evil and villainous character. Moreover, I want to ‘repeat’ the
disequilibrium storyline that occurs in the sequence.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
From the second trailer, I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) a broken frame shot
sequence to connote how the character is distanced from the others and therefore has a
motive to be evil and merciful. Also, I would like to ‘repeat’ the teenage attitude that Keegan
has in the EastEnders clip to denote his lack of emotion and care, once again adding to the
characters motive.