Soap Opera Genre - Independent Textual Analysis of Soap Oper Trailers Sean Wayne Unit G324

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Sean Wayne
Candidate Number: 1254
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – This Autumn on EastEnders
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVkCtQb7XSI )
Verbal Codes – The non-diegetic sound track is very emotional, has a relatively low pitch and has a slow pace, which is able to
connote the sad events that will be likely to occur to the character Peggy Mitchell. The backing tracks lyrics denote ‘It’s the last goodbye,
I swear’, which is able to ‘inform’ (Katz) the audience that Peggy will not be staying on the show for much longer. On top of that, as
Peggy looks at a young couple in front of her, there is a non-diegetic code of church bells, which is able to ‘signify’ (De Saussure) the
happy times that have occurred during her time in Albert Square. However as this is happening the backing tracks lyrics are ‘ I can’t rely
of a diamond in love, that don’t go anywhere’, which is able to connote that this marriage (happiness) might be hopeless and not last for
long. As well as that, as Peggy looks at a mother with her child the backing track has a low screeching sound with the hitting of metal,
which is able to connote that the relationship between this mother and her son is not stable.
Non-Verbal Codes – At the beginning of the trailer there is a bright light from the sky which is able to connote the idea of
going to heaven or moving on after death, and there is a train passing by over the bridge above Peggy witch is also able to connote that
she will being moving on. Also the people walking past Peggy at high speed as she slowly walks down the street is able to give the
audience an impression of her life flashing before her eyes, seeing everything that has happened in her life in a single moment before
death. As well as that Peggy is wearing a long white coat which is able to connote that she has become a ghostly white figure, which is
able to signify that she has died. This is supported by the fact that Peggy is in high key lighting, making her seem brighter than the
figures and people she walks past, again this is able to give Peggy a ghostly presence. As Peggy sees the mother with her son, the
lighting lowers (low key) which is able to connote that something ominous is likely to happen with these two people. On top of that the
mothers stern expression as she looks at her son is able to connote that the mother holds ill intentions towards her son, which results in
a worried expression from Peggy.
Technical Codes –
At the beginning of the trailer the camera tilts down from the sky which is able to connote that Peggy may have come down from
heaven to see how the people that she has left behind are. There is also a slight tracking shot following Peggy, which is able to signify
that the audience has watched Peggy throughout her journey on EastEnders, and now they will be able to watch her as her journey
come to an end. The OSS with the newly married couple as Peggy looks at them is able to connote that Peggy will be keeping a watch
on the path that these two as they move forward with there lives. The wrap shot around the Mother and her child is able to connote
that the feeling of being trapped or backed into a corner, which is able to signify that the son might be in danger. There is also a low
camera angle shot focusing on the mother, this is able to connote the fact that the mother is extremely dominant and controling over
the child as this angle shows that the mother is above him. As the trailer continues it follows Peggy slowly walking down the road and
eventually coming to a stop at the end. This could connote the fact that Peggy's life is coming to the end, and once she gets to the end
she will have to stop walking and vanish.

4. Trailer 2 – Coronation Street
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqFZ3Z4vrKg )
Verbal Codes – The diegetic verbal code and dialogue of “I won’t let you ruin this wedding” is able to connote that there is some
sort of conflict between someone and the family of those being wed, the tone of voice used was very stern and angry, highlighting the
fact that this is a very serious matter. This successfully peaks the interest of those that are watching the trailer as it puts question in their
heads such as ‘why do they want to ruin the wedding?’. The Diegetic verbal code of the bride saying “I need to speak to you” to the
groom in a stern tone is able to connote that the bride is most likely hiding something from the groom and is wanting to come clean
about it. This again results in the audience asking questions, causing them to show an interest in what has happened in the show. The
non-diegetic backing track of the low bass that is present throughout the whole of the trailer is able to connote that there is something
ominous is going to happen to the characters in the show. As well as all of that the diegetic code of the police sirens is able to connote
that something terrible has happened tat requires the attention of the police and/or an ambulance.
Non-Verbal Codes – At the beginning of the trailer there is High key lighting as is focuses on the bride in her dress on her
wedding day. This is able to connote that this is a happy time in the characters life, and the start of something good (It all started so
well). The edges of the screen turn darker when the trailer shows the bride with the groom at the alter, this is able to connote that the
bride feels like everyone is focusing on her and that the bride is under pressure. This is due to the fact that see is the one that peoples
eyes will be drawn to in this shot. The red dress one of the women is wearing when the priest says “Trust they have” is able to connote
that she may be one of the reasons why the wedding was ruined as red is the colour of danger. The disgusted expression of the man at
the end of the trailer is able to connote that he has found something very disgusting that he wants to look away from but can’t. This
gives the audience an idea of what the man could have found that made him so disgusted.
Technical Codes – The technical code of the fade to black transition between a number of the different shots in this trailer is
able to connote that the characters want to close their eyes to escape from reality but are unable to keep them closed forever, meaning
they have to deal with what's happening around they. As well as that this technical code is able to connote that the characters in this
soap opera are beginning to fall into darkness and depression as a result of the events that are occurring. The technical code of the close
up shot of the bride crying is able to connote that she is feeling trapped and is unable to escape the things she may have done as well as
being able to connote that the bride feels as if all of the focus and pressure is on her. This is front on shot allowing the audience to see
majority of her face clearly, connoting the fact that she is feeling absolute grief and sadness, also the camera is slowing moving in,
getting closer to her face. This connotes the fact that she is feeling more and more trapped.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
The parts of the ‘EastEnders’ trailer that I would want to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) and ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie - 1995) would be the clever use
of the backing track linking in together with what the characters are doing on screen. For example the line ‘I can’t rely of a diamond in love’
while the camera focuses on the newly married couple. I would also like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) and ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995) the
use of the wrapping shot used on the Parent and her child along with the stern expression the mother is showing towards her child. This is
able to effectively give the audience the impression that the child is trapped with his mother. As well as that I would like to ‘repeat’ the
non-diegetic sounds of different backing sounds, such as the church bells. This is able to give the trailer more depth allowing the audience
to look more into the different meanings shown within the trailer. I would also like to ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie - 1995) the camera tracking
shot following the characters throughout the trailer. This will result in the audience becoming attach to the particular characters in the
show, as well as only show the audience what that specific character can see
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
The parts of the ‘Coronation Street’ trailer the I would want to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) would be the use of the close-up shot which is able to
connote the feeling of the bride being trapped. As well as that I would also like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the use of clothing used in the
trailer. For example when the colour of the dress is able to reveal the intentions a emotions that one of the characters are feeling. On top
of that I would like to ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995) the different verbal diegetic dialogue that was used throughout the trailer, in order to
give my trailer more ways for the audience to ask questions and show interest in the soap opera.