American "fantasy" soap operas depict unrealistic storylines focused on wealth, fame, and romance that differ from British soap operas which portray average lives. Character stereotypes in American soap operas include the femme fatale, heartthrob, bad guy, and mother figure. These soaps use techniques like saturated colors, dramatic music, flashbacks, and time dilation to exaggerate emotional storylines and keep audiences engaged.

1. American “Fantasy”

2. Definition
American “fantasy” soaps are based on unrealistic
storylines highlighting the dreams of American
society such as; wealth, fame and romance. It
contains extravagant costumes, hair and make up

3. The difference
This differs from British soap opera‟s because
storylines are based on average people who the
British audience can relate to because of things like;
Jobs, Family Issues, Wealth.

4. Character Stereotypes
Femme Fatale: is a mysterious and enticing woman whose charms
capture her lovers in bonds of irresistible admiration, often
leading them into dangerous situations – possibly death.
Heartthrob: this is normally a male character whose good looks
excite immature romantic feelings in women.
Bad Guy: the usually male character who causes trouble between
other characters, sometimes violent.
Mother Figure: The one who looks after and gives advice to other
characters.

5. Examples of American “fantasy” soaps
Dallas:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV8O7qaENfk
90210:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxmIDmvZiU
Desperate Housewives:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVBCqGtkvvA
One Tree Hill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th6unMtmQCs

6. Lighting
The colour in American “fantasy” soaps tend to be very saturated and
the lighting is mainly bright with an orange tint due to using artificial
lighting but also used to set the mood e.g. darkness when there is
death.
Contrasting with this British soaps do not vary the lighting and colour
as much. There tends to be very little contrast and colour. It is very
much based on daylight.
American British

7. Camera
 There are different camera angles and shots used in American
“fantasy” Soaps for different purposes.
 E.g. This High Angle Establishing Shot is used to set the scene for the
entire programme including the location.
 E.g. This two-shot shows the reaction of the characters after an
important event.

8. Sound
The sound in American “fantasy” Soaps tends to have a
lot of non-diegetic sound e.g. Background music,
sometimes very dramatic. It is used to fit within the
scene.
Also, diegetic sound is used in these soaps to set the
scene and give subliminal messages e.g. Dialogue,
Sirens, Gunshots, Screaming, Door knocks etc.

9. Editing
 American „fantasy‟ soaps use editing to emphasise the storyline in the scene.
For example they use a montage of characters‟ reactions when there is a
major event.
 Also they have flashbacks to emotional memories which are relevant to the
current storyline. E.g. Annie has a flashback to her hit and run
incident.(90210)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXL2sA1is4
 Camera movements such as tracking, panning and zooming are used to
exaggerate the story and to establish the location of the scene. E.g. When
Jimmy Edwards takes students hostage (One Tree Hill).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rvdEaILjkQ
 Time Dilation is the unusual handling of the passage of time, this can be like
when a single story day takes weeks of episodes to play out. On the other
hand, international travel can take place in just a few minutes of story time.

10. Storylines
American “fantasy” soaps have exaggerated and
emotional storylines which are aimed to keep the
audience wanting more. These storylines can
include:
 Affairs  Car Crashes
 Death/Near Death  Weapons
 Drugs and Addictions  Medical Emergencies
 Teenage Pregnancy  Mental Breakdowns
 Sex  Suicide
 Abductions
 Family Problems