The document discusses how a student group developed a soap opera project that both used conventions from real soap operas like Hollyoaks and Eastenders, but also challenged some conventions. They researched common character archetypes and storylines in other soaps. While they felt uncomfortable challenging all conventions, they developed some stock characters, like a "cool" popular guy and geek who takes drugs, into darker directions than seen before. They also set their soap opera at a university rather than typical pubs or streets to differentiate it, despite restricting their potential audience.

1. 1. In what ways does your media
products use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?

2. After we chose which brief we were going to
follow (a soap opera), our group decided to
research the different types of characters
and storylines within a variety of soaps such
as Hollyoaks and Eastenders.

3. Channel 4 - E4
We wanted to create a soap that followed
the lines of Hollyoaks as it attracted a young
audience and we were also able to relate
to some of the storylines although they may
have been an extreme representation

4. Analysing Stock Characters
I feel that challenging the conventions of characters could have
been a bit risky as some people may not agree with the
behaviour or storylines. Although we feel uncomfortable
challenging the conventions, we made a decision to develop
them slightly into something which has never been done.
Also, although it is an extreme representation, we decided to
include the following characters with dark twists:
• The ‘cool’ popular guy
• The geek (who takes drugs)
• The forbidden couple
• The abusive relationship

5. Analysing Stock Setting
I think that we developed our setting from the usual pubs and
streets that normally star on a successful soap. Having a
University as the main setting restricts us from gaining a wide
audience as most of our viewers will be mostly aged in their
teens. However, as it differentiates Holloway Halls from any other
soap, its could potentially attract more unexpected views
because people may be interested in how the story develops.
Although, soaps like Eastenders have the famous Queen Vic as a
stationary ‘social’ setting in their soap and in Holloway Halls, we
decided that parties, dormitories and lecture halls would have
the same meaning and effect.

6. Analysing Iconography
We used the convention of iconography from soaps such as
Hollyoaks and Eastenders. The iconography used items like:
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Weapons
Also, we wanted memorable music to go with our soap.
Programmes like Eastenders have recognisable music which is
also a clever advertising technique. We wanted to create a
jingle which would be remembered and suitable to attract a
young audience.

7. Analysing Iconography
We used the convention of iconography from soaps such as
Hollyoaks and Eastenders. The iconography used items like:
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Weapons
Also, we wanted memorable music to go with our soap.
Programmes like Eastenders have recognisable music which is
also a clever advertising technique. We wanted to create a
jingle which would be remembered and suitable to attract a
young audience.