textual analysis for my media coursework.

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

2. Trailer 1 – Kat and Alfie trailer- EastEnders – BBC one
Verbal Codes
The trailer has a non diegetic soundtrack which instantly captures the idea that the soap is now set in the wild west. This then leads to the
use of diegetic sound of jenein laughing, which instantly gets cut by Kats presence. Verbal speech from Kat is then used “where do I get a
drink around here”, after the click of her mirror which has been sound altered to match that of a gun clicking. This then gives the audience to
believe Kat is waiting to dual her nemesis, meaning their will be conflict between the characters Kat and Alfie. The trailer uses Kats diversion
theory as the clip diverts the viewers attention from the real world and allows the individual to escape into the soap opera.
Non-Verbal Codes
Throughout the trailer there is the obvious theme of the western setting being introduced at the start of the clip. This is expanded upon by
the desertion of the square, the idea of the wild west is expanded upon with the characters looking at the Kat like she's an outlaw. upon with
the introduction of the character Kat this A symbol is seen which is of newspaper running along the floor, this again sets the scene of the wild
west but with a modern input within it. Moreover, Ferdinand De Saussure stated “signs act as signifiers” the newspaper which is blown by the
wind indicates that a storm is arising.
Technical Codes
Within the trailer they have many different camera shot, firstly there is a upward establishing shot of the bar, this is to show that it is a
big part of the trailer. Secondly there is a tracking shot of Kat walking (at this point you don’t know it is her), this is used to engage the
viewer and making them wonder who it is and also this is a common convention of a western film. Thirdly there is a upward pan when
she stops walking to reveal its Kat, this is used to relieve the viewer of guessing who the person is. Fourthly there are many close up of
both Kat’s and Alfie’s eyes which shows there emotions and the way they are looking at each other. Lastly there is a aerial/establishing
shot of both Kat and alfie which is used to show the distance between them two and their relationship.

3. Trailer 2 – hollyoaks
Verbal Codes – Firstly there is Non-diegetic soundtrack which is played though out the trailer, this is to create a intense viewing
experience and engage the viewer in what is going to come up next, it stops for a brief moment introducing the diegetic sound/volume
which steadily increases until the glass breaks, they have done this to emphasize the fight the two are having. Again there is Non
diegetic sound used in the hospital scene and occurs when sirens are playing in the background, this increases the tempo as the trailer
becomes more rapid with each passing shot.
Non-Verbal Codes – The lighting is extremely low with one pale yellow light center top creating a mood of suspicion and darkness
within the cast. The outfits that are used match the general idea of the characters personality along with the mood of the scene for
example the man who waves at the bride is dressed in all black. This ultimately suggests that this character has a sinister side to his
personality, as he watches the protagonist with the intent to kill her. His glove is pitch black and he is dressed for a funeral, this indicates
the character to a warning to others as he has the potential to be a killer.
Technical Codes – The trailer starts with a shot of a woman in the back of a car and as the trailer progresses a shot change to a high
angle shot on two men, this is done to show that they are in more power. The scene progresses to where a woman is in a hospital bed
and a man kissing her forehead which obviously indicates the two characters relationship, a low angle establishing shot is used to show
the surrounding and of them, it also presents the two alone together which shows off Laura Mulvey’s (male and female gaze) as the two
actors are visibly attractive. Lastly, another scene has been created where a woman walks into a house and a low angle tracking shot is
used to show the perspective of the children, therefore presenting the character to fear for their safety. A panning shot is used on each
character and some then move into a close up showing the emotion of the different character giving the audience a ruff indication of
what is to come and the character involvement.

4. Trailer 3 – Skins
Verbal Codes – The trailer begins with a Non diegetic soundtrack, as the characters fall a use of a sound effect is used to show off the
speed they are falling at. The soundtrack also reveals how these characters are falling from grace, as the sound effect reflects the dreary
atmosphere of the trailer as that of these characters being casted out. The last scene is that of a wooden doll breaking, which connotes
the disequilibrium (Piaget) of what is to come in the show.
Non-Verbal Codes – The trailer opens with the characters falling, but as they get lower to the floor their clothes attach onto them
which indicates that the characters have something to hide. This ultimately reflects the setting as being that of a religious theme, the
young adults are devils in their own right and have been condemned to walk the world alone. It also highlights the initial purity of the
characters but as they fall further and further they become covered, another reference to the Bible as Adam and Eve were banished
from the garden of Eden due to their sin and shame of not covering. The facial expression shows off how the characters are in terror but
also in pleasure as they fall, this relates to teenagers who are afraid of growing older and take pleasure in life by committing rash
actions. Moreover, the gratification of introducing the characters naked is a gratification (Kats) to give the audience pleasure from the
male/ female leads.
Technical Codes – A long shot is initially used for the establishing shot, this shows the character rolled in a ball like shape as if she
were “being born”, this reveals the innocence of the character as she begins to fall. This is followed by a close up which shows the
emotions each character is feeling, in turn it gives the audience an idea of what each characters personality. The falling from grace is
shown by a high angle over the shoulder shot, this reveals the innocence of the character slowly fading away as the intensity of the fall
increases.

5. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1)
The Kat and Alfie trailer set the scene very well with the wild west theme it grabs the
attention of the audience as they speculate what the trailer might be for. The two
characters Kat and Alfie set the scene as being ‘outlaws’ as they are shunned from
society and all the townsfolk fear them. As the character Kat enters, a storm is brewing
which sets the scene that all hell is going to be set loose, this really interested me as
the weather was setting the scene for the showdown between the two characters.
However, the lighting was too bright glary which is typical for a old western film but I
feel the darker and more sinister lighting of the holly oaks trailer stole the spotlight, due
to the feeling I feel when the characters walk through the ale with a dark theme.
Trailer 2)
I would like repeat the lighting that the Holly oaks trailer had, this is because it captured the gothic
element within the trailer. The lighting was mainly used for the alter and the ale which presented
each character as having a some what ‘bad side’ to them. As the trailer progresses more close ups
are used to empathize the dark and mysterious setting, along with long shots showing off the all
black monetary. I think the dialogue was used very effectively, due to the long walk to ale there was
no need to use any dialogue. However, a non diegetic soundtrack is playing which shows off the
initial haunted theme of the trailer. Moreover, the soundtrack was what instantly encapsulated me
into being engrossed in the trailer, this is because it was such a dark theme and the opening shot
presents the disequilibrium entering with each passing step.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 3)
The Skins season five trailer links with our own target audience and it captured the viewer instantly with a well
crafted soundtrack and with the establishing shot. The trailer had many deep hidden messages which are all used
very interestingly, I would love to use the features which would enable me to input a message to the viewer as it
would make the viewer more engaged in my own soap opera trailer. Moreover, the use of the initial “innocence” of
the characters connotes how they are falling from this innocence, this is important as it made the viewer more
interested in finding out what was going to happen next, the characters all relate to our modern society, thir dress
code reflects young adults of this age.