1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Gemma O’Donovan
Candidate Number: 6715
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – SKINS
Verbal Codes – The voiceover used was at the end in a deep and serious voice to
represent the trailers dark and gloomy mood, which also is informing the name of the
show and its airing channel. The soundtrack was by a band called Arcade Fire, which is an
alternative band which represents the type of demographic that would watch. The fast
pace of the song at the end on the trailer shows these characters getting prepared to start.
Non-Verbal Codes – The characters are all showing fear which connotes the issues and
pressures of growing up in todays society. The lighting is highlighting all of the characters
varied facial expressions which show that they're away with their thoughts. The characters
are naked until they eventually fall to the ground. The fact that they're naked also
connotes the name and links in with the word ‘Skins’. The characters are falling through an
ocean filled with all the characters in; the sea is very dark and empty which connotes how
the characters could be feeling due to the issues they are facing.
Technical Codes – The camera angles used are varied however the most popular one is the
high angle shot used when they're all falling to the ground. This connotes them from a
high perspective as they are shown less of dominant characters. The high angle also shows
all of the characters facial expressions in a clear way.

3. Trailer 2 – Ripper street
Verbal Codes – The verbal code dialogue of ‘Before he swallows you whole’ is an idea of
what goes on in the season of the soap opera. It connotes that there are some very
serious sort of people that will not be afraid of getting themselves into certain situations.
The verbal code of the soundtrack is ‘Power’ by Kanye West which connotes to the idea
that there are powerful people in this soap. Kanye West is a rapper and it therefore adds
to the intense happenings in the area.
Non-Verbal Codes – The lighting used is very gloomy and dark. This could be emphasised
by adding effects to it when editing on YouTube and putting all the trailer together. The
setting that is used is in a village that looks very Victorian and old. This is also emphasised
and added to the theme of it being old by the costumes that they wear. They're all in posh
and wealthy clothes and costumes which add to the time era that the trailer was set in.
Technical Codes – There are many close ups of all characters, and it jumps from character
to character. This adds suspense and suspicion, as if there's and event that has gone on
where there is a prime suspect. By jumping from character to character with close up
shots, the audience are forced to question who the suspect is. There is a long shot used
where two characters are running towards the camera, this is successful as they get bigger
and bigger as they run towards the camera. There are many angles in which people are
hiding behind people certain objects like walls creating dark shadows to create suspense..

4. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – I would repeat the sense that there is no dialogue but just the characters falling
to the ground. I found this really interesting because its up to you to make your own
judgment on what is happening in the scene and you can interpret what you want about it. I
like the fact that there are so many different varied camera angles and shot types that were
used. When you use a mixture of them, it makes the trailer so much more exciting as there is
so many more ways of looking at things in a different way instead of a normal same shot
type and camera angle used throughout.
Trailer 2) – I love the way there are close ups and jump shots from each character. This
connotes that everyone looks suspicious and the audience are therefore left wondering who
the suspect is when they are all made out to look suspicious. I am going to do this in my own
trailer when filming, so I will jump from character to character to make them all look shady
as if they are the attacker that killed the victim. The dialogue used is very stern and
mysterious as the audience are not sure on what the actors are talking about. This therefore
connotes what type of soap opera is because its about lots of mysterious happenings going
on in the area.