The document analyzes several soap opera posters and their use of visual and verbal codes to engage audiences. It discusses several techniques posters use, such as taglines to create intrigue about upcoming plotlines. Images are manipulated to add mystery or danger. Logos identify the channel and brand. Dates increase hype by showing air times. Positive reviews attract viewers by being from trusted sources. Social media presence allows audiences to follow and discuss the shows online. The analysis suggests repeating certain successful techniques in a new soap opera trailer, such as social media integration, reviews, and displaying the network logo.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Ancillary Product
Analysis
Name: Shaune Hazlehurst
Candidate Number: 3065
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Tagline- The verbal code of the tagline “Walford will change.
Forever.” on the poster engages the audience as it ‘signifies’
that something detrimental is going to happen in Walford. This
creates ‘hype’ for the new episode as the viewers of EastEnders
don’t know exactly what ‘will change’ in Walford. The tagline has
a gradient from white to black which connotes innocence to evil.
The tagline also includes full stops which create emphasis on the
statement as the program is going to change ‘forever’.
Image – The non-verbal code main image within this
poster looks very dark and mysterious which shows Lucy
looking back at Walford with fear which demonstrates
how there is someone dangerous within Walford who she
is connected to. This illustrates that Lucy may be leaving
EastEnders and may not be returning, due to the fact that
her picture is edited as white and grainy and slowly fading
out into the black background. This makes the image more
malevolent as it makes Lucy look like a ghost/victim.
Synergy with social media- social media has been
successfully used within this poster to create
‘hype’ for the audience, further promote the TV
soap. By having a hashtag people can interact with
each other using this to discuss the Soap on social
media such as twitter and facebook.
Institution Logo- The institution logo is on
the bottom left and it tells the audience
what channel it is going to be aired on so
they know that it is on BBC ONE this means
new viewers will instantly know what
channel to go on to watch EastEnders.
Brand Identity- There is not brand identity in
the poster but there is a hashtag to let the
audience know this is an EastEnders poster.

3. Image – This image has been manipulated by creating
flames around the characters, this signifies danger and
fear upcoming in the episode’s. Smoke effects have also
been added as a sense of mystery.
One character is looking at another in a certain way which
indicates jealousy. Other characters are looking away from
each other which means their storylines may be
independent to each others but all incorporate drama.
Institution Logo – The institution logo creates brand identity as it is
white and stands out from the dark background. This is useful as it
means channel 4 is advertised so it tells the audiences where it can be
viewed.
Tagline- The verbal code ‘Forever’ connotes how much
the following episode’s will change Hollyoaks forever. Due
to this, the audience will be attracted to watch the show as
there is obviously something detrimental about to happen.
The tagline has a white background behind the text
allowing for the tagline to stand out and be easy to read.
Date- The date on the bottom of the poster does not
impose on the main image or the tagline but is big
enough so that the audience can read it. It also
increases ‘hype’ for the audience so that they know
when the programme is starting again.

4. Reviews: These positive
reviews attracts the audience
to the soap opera. Due to
them being from famous
institutions, the reviews are
able to be trusted.
Brand Identity: The brand
identity promotes Langley
Vale as this is the logo of the
soap opera. This means the
audience instantly know
what the poster is about
and attracts them to watch
the soap opera as there is a
visually pleasing poster.
Image: The denotation of
the two hands grasping a
red ribbon connotes to the
red ribbon meaning a lot to
the character. This adds a
veil of mystery as the poster
doesn’t disclose who the
character holding the ribbon
is. Furthermore the
connotations of red relates
to death, blood and anger.
Institution Identity: The
BBC TWO logo reveals to the
audience where the soap
opera will be aired so the
audience will be able to
watch it.
Tagline: The denotation of
the tagline allows the
audience to assume that in
the upcoming episodes there
will be elements of fear and
characters being traitors. This
increases ‘hype’ as the
audience do not know which
characters are the traitors
Social Media Identity: The
social media logo’s for
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
and Pinterest are present
meaning that the ‘Langley
Vale’ Soap has pages on all of
these social media. This
allows audiences to follow
these pages so they can get
exclusive updates about the
Soap.

5. Analysis- ‘Repeat’ (Steve Neale-1980)
• In my soap opera trailer I intend to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale-1980) the
use of social media which lets audiences create ‘hype’ and share their
views on each episode.
• I also intend to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale-1980) the reviews as it allows
the audience to see how good the Soap Opera actually is, based on
professional reviews.
• Finally I intend to repeat (Steve Neale-1980) the Institution Logo
which illustrates the channel the program is being shown on so
audiences know exactly where to watch the soap opera.