This document analyzes and compares two trailers - Skins Series 5 and Ripper Street BBC Series 3. For the Skins trailer, it notes the use of dark lighting to reflect the characters' feelings of being lost and scared. It also analyzes how the characters are shown naked at first and then getting dressed as they fall, symbolizing a loss of innocence. For the Ripper Street trailer, it discusses the use of a modern song to give the historical show a modern twist, as well as the various camera angles and shots used to show the interlinking stories and main characters. The document concludes by stating which elements from each trailer would be good to repeat - the use of lighting to set mood, and the three-

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Forrest Smyth
Candidate Number:6747
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Skins Series 5 Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToKa4dTAqE4
Verbal Codes
Dialogue -
Voiceover – this informs the audience where to watch the show. “Skins the brand new series coming
soon on E4”
Sound Effects -
Soundtrack – the song that is used in this trailer is ‘Ready to start’ by Arcade Fire. This is a alternative
type song. The soundtrack was non-diegetic.
Non-Verbal Codes
Setting – the lack of props and any surroundings this is done because it makes the audience be only
focused of the characters. Also as it is dark around them, it is symbolic to them as they are in a dark
place, mentally and emotionally.
Lighting – the lighting was low key meaning that it it was dark and gloomy. This was used to reflect
their feelings. Lost, hopeless, worried, scared etc..
Costumes – the costumes are used affectively in this trailer and play a major role. In the beginning of
the trailer they start of naked and then as they are falling they are getting dressed and fully clothed.
This is symbolic to their loss of innocence.
Technical Codes –
Camera Angles,
Shot Types
Camera Movement – as it tracks down with the falling characters it shows how the audience that they
are the only focus and also how the series is based off of the own individual story line although they
also interlink with each other.

3. Trailer 2 – Ripper Street BBC Series 3 Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vykW85hYxfo
Verbal Codes
Dialogue – throughout the trailer you can hear snippets of some scenes that are in this series.
Voiceover – ‘The new series of ripper street on BBC one’ this informs the viewers what the trailer is called ad on
what channel it is on.
Sound Effects – in the beginning of the trailer there is a train crash scene, as you are watching you can hear the
sound of the train on the track and also of its horn.
Soundtrack – The song over the top of the trailer is by Kanye West and its called ‘Power’ this has been used
affectively because it is a modern song that has been used in a show that is set in the past. This is to show that they
show has done their own modern twist on it and also to attract the audiences attention. Also as the song is called
‘Power’ it denotes that the main characters have a powerful role and are strong.
Non-Verbal Codes
Setting – set in England but in an older era.
Lighting – there are many clips that are using natural lighting as they are outside. However there are a few darker
scenes this is to show how the series changes as it goes on.
Costumes – old factions costumes this is done to set the time period and also to help with the characters roles.
Technical Codes
Camera Angles – many different angles was used as the trailer was jumping from different episodes and scenes this,
there was both high and low angles used throughout to show dominance and also power.
Shot Types – again many different types of shots, towards the end of the trailer the use three in shot. This is used
well as it shows who the main characters are and how all their individual stories are linked in some way throughout
the series.
Camera Movement – there was different camera movements such as tracking and panning however the train
accident in the beginning of the trailer was a tracking as you was following the train to watch it crash into the back of
the other train.

4. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
The lighting in this trailer was dark and gloomy this can be used well in my trailer as I can use
the lighting to set the feeling of the characters without the use of much dialog. Also it can
help build and use suspense throughout the trailer.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
Three in a shot I would like to use in my trailer as I feel it gives an overall on how the stories
in the show are interlinked. Also it is shows the main characters for the final time, this gives
the audience a chance to see them properly rather than them running around and acting as
the trailer is at a fast paste.