media evaluation

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Rhiya Heir
Candidate Number: 6657
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) BBC One
Verbal Codes
This trailer consists of verbal codes, a non- diegetic soundtrack which has been made to sound like
something out of a western movie this adds a ‘mysterious’ effect on the trailer as the Western music
‘signifies’ some sort of battle will occur. This is shown by the verbal code of the diegetic voiceover
saying “its all kicking off in the square” suggests that there will be a battle between the two main
characters Kat and Alfie. The Western theme was continuous throughout as it included a sepia toned
colour, also the cowboy boy boots both Kat and Alfie are wearing (Props) also conveys the Western
theme. Kat is shown to be a ‘superior’ women, this is shown through the verbal code of the diegetic
sound of Kat’s cowboy boots clacking against the ground, this can be seen as intimating also she’s
warning other characters that she is in the village. Kat also says “where d’you get a drink from around
here” which is followed by the camera cutting to a long shot of the pub, this is where she can get a
drink from also suggests the conventions that a pub in a soap opera is the heart of the community and
the main place where people meet.
Non-Verbal Codes
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 people can meet and get together this really
gives us a sense of a community. We see that the Queen Victoria pub windows has been boarded up
and we can see a black dull colour around the edges of the windows connoting that there has possibly
been a fire, this creates a dystopian setting.
https://youtu.be/8p4xlLezos0

3. Technical code of the establishing shot of ‘The
Queen Victoria” pub, also known as “The Queen
Vic” to the people in the community, this connotes
the ‘heart’ of the Square as this is were all the
locals go to meet up and have a drink, could also be
the center of where problems occur.
The non- verbal code of a pair of cowboy boots walking compliments the western soundtrack and
suggests that there is going to be some sort of battle. The verbal code of Jane's surprised/ worried
facial expression, she quickly draws the blinds. This excites and intrigues the audience as they can tell
there has been some some bad history between the characters, a disequilibrium could be taking place
in the Square.
Technical Codes
The close up- tracking shot of Kats cowboy boots
whilst she is walking, this suggests her arrival is
important, also creates a sense of adrenalin as the
audience want to see who Kat is walking towards
to.

4. The close up of Jane’s facial expression emphases the
non- verbal code of her feared expression which is a
result of seeing an unknown/ mysterious character
walking through the Square.
Low angle, broken frame shot of Alfie from between
Kats legs, connotes that they have some sort of history
together, most likely a romantic history as this shot is
very intimate

5. Trailer 2 – Skins (Series 5)
Verbal Codes
The skins trailer consists of a non- diegetic soundtrack that is being played throughout the whole
trailer there is no verbal codes however you have the voice over and the end of the trailer. The
soundtrack that is playing is a song produced by Arcade Fire, ‘ready to start’ this connotes that the
new series of skins is going to start. The song itself is powerful, it had also been chosen very
effectively as the sound gradually gets faster as the trailer is continuing this is symbolic as the shot
types are changing as a faster paste and the characters are also falling at a higher speed this could
signify how close the new series is about to be released. The soundtrack itself represents the type of
demographic that would watch this soap opera. The voice over at the end of the trailer informs the
audience that the new series of Skins is “coming soon” we can also identify that it will be coming on,
on channel 4 due to the logo and website being shown.
Non-Verbal Codes
The trailer has a dystopian setting, the use of dark lighting symbolizes the darkness and
drama that the new series will portray. I can identify the shocked/ fearful facial expressions
on each character this also suggests the tension present and also warns the audience
about a disequilibrium that is going to take place, this is also suggested by the fast moving
actions. Eye connection is shown throughout the trailer, the character seem to be looking
at one another, this can connote that they are all connected in some way weather they are
friends or they are all involved in the same situation.
https://youtu.be/UOJ4LDwc37o

6. Technical Codes
Extreme close up of her facial expression,
her eyes are shut therefore connoting she
doesn't’t want to see what is happening.
The extreme close up allows the audience to
understand how she is feeling.
Low camera angle shot, this shows the different variety
of angles the trailer consisted of throughout. This
allowed the audience to get a different view an
perspective of what was happening in the trailer. We
understand that the character Is looking straightforward
she is preparing herself for something that is about to
happen. Her hand is also cover her chest which is
significant as we know she is naked this connotes the
rawness and explicitly of the trailer

7. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
A strength from the Kat and Alfie trailer was the rivalry between them both and the
westernized theme that was continued throughout the trailer, through the effects and the
music also the characters outfits, however I would not repeat this in my soap opera trailer as
I want it to be modernized. However something I would repeat from this trailer is the
diegetic sound this is something soap opera trailers don't have. I think it would be beneficial
fro the audience
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
The Skins trailer was good at using music it set the tone and atmosphere of the trailer very
well. The soundtrack was very fitting to the trailer and what was going on as the characters
were falling, this went from a slow speed to a fast speed and we can identify the dramatic
change and speed of the music. The camera shots were very impressive as they included a
variety, this was very intriguing and made the trailer stand out. I would ‘repeat’ this in my
soap opera trailer as it would help tell the story also would reflect the characters feelings
and emotions.