Soap Opera - Textual Analysis

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio
Name: Chris Jacobs
Candidate Number: 4068
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135

2. Trailer 1 – Coronation Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcVoNEhhICU
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The use of the non-diegetic soundtrack expresses verbal codes with the lyrics denoting “beneath my feet” which expresses connotations
of a grounded and down to earth community and also expresses a sense of irony because what the clip is actually meant to be
representing.With a happy song being used this irony is confirmed because in fact there is going to be a serious situation that about to
occur which has been eluded throughout the clip. Also the diegetic sound effects from the emergency services furthermore contributes
to affect what is going to happen that is out of the ordinary and could cause harm to the characters, which eludes to Todorov’s theory,
but specifically the ‘disequilibrium’. The lack of a non-diegetic voiceover towards the end of the trailer and the fade out of the music is
quite effective by creating an eeriness. This is because usually you hear a voiceover at the end of trailers nut instead just fades out into a
title screen and makes it able to have this desired effect on the audience.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and
Characters – representation of gender
This trailer is set in a familiar working class setting that is a ‘repeated’ (Steve Neale - 1980) theme in the soap opera genre with a tight
knit community, where everyone knows everyone. The lighting could count towards binary opposition (Claude Levi-Strauss) because of
the use of high key lighting in this scene is ironic, as low key lighting would be more applicable like in the emergency services clip with
the sense that this situation could escalate into a serious predicament for the characters in the show. The costumes in this promo are
just what a normal group of people from this community would wear, jeans, t-shirts, jackets etc. However these costumes and
throughout with other objects such letter boxes are red. Red is represented as the colour of danger and love, which relate to the
relationships in the community and what could be happening in the future terms of a bad situation for the community. Furthermore the
facial expressions determine the stereotypes of men and women in the community with women quite happy and men grumpy.
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
The constant use of technical codes such as close ups and tracking shots in both the emergency services clips and community clip
portray the attitude of the characters. It allows the camera to capture the emotions of the characters/extras in both clips, for example
the happiness of the families walking into the street because they are with there loved and spending time together. Also there is a use
of an eyeline match between a female and male character which could elude to a love triangle considering the female is with her
husband a child at the time. The use of a slow motion helps elude to the audience they are more than friends with the use of the eye
line match as well. This connotes the relationship they have with each other although it is in fact an act of adultery, because of the
woman’s family apparent in the clip.

3. Trailer 2 – EastEnders-http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4xlLezos0
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The use of the non-diegetic soundtrack in this trailer allows the characters to express their emotions towards the comeback character
portraying a active woman, defeating the stereotype. The connotations express how influential and well known this character actually is
in the square. Also the use of the diegetic gun sound effects can reflect the attitude and status of the comeback character relating to her
being a bit of an outlaw. This type of effect is used quite a lot by soap operas which eludes to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale - 1980) these
effective sound grabs. Furthermore the diegetic dialogue between the female and the male character in this clip connotes the feistiness
in their relationship with each other, and is clearly expressed by the tone of their voices whilst saying their lines, ‘where can I get a drink
round here’ and ‘I think you’re going to need one’. This connotes the type of relationship these two characters have with each other and
is expressed through these lines and how they say them eluding to that these characters might have previous.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
The non-verbal code of the facial expressions of the other characters around the square reflect that the feelings towards the certain
character returning are ranged from character to character, from shocked to hatred struck across there faces when they see her back.
This connotes to how the comeback character was previously represented in the programme which in this case seems like an active
woman, defeating the stereotype. Furthermore the use of costumes in this clip also relates to the outlaw theme of these two characters
coming back into the show. This once again connotes the type of personalities these actors represent through there characters, two
outlaws expressing their place in the community in Walford. The setting eludes to a Western feel with the pub rundown and shut up, as
well as the main high street is clear of everything apart from the two characters, resembling a Texas stand off. This pub being closed
expresses why the comeback character says, ‘where can I get a drink round ‘ere?’, with the main and only boozer in the area is closed.
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
The use of close ups and shot reverse shots allow a good representation on how these particular characters are portrayed in the square
and the influence their personality has on other characters. The use of close ups of these two main characters in the clip express the
importance that these two characters will have a lot influence on the narrative. The tension between these two characters and the type
of relationship they have with each other is expressed with the combination of shot reverse shots and eyeline matches, as they glare at
on another.

4. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
The areas of strength that I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) and “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) from this trailer would be
the use the soundtrack and sound effects to effect the type of trailer it is and to increase the irony in the trailer.
This can be said of the happy song playing in the forefront of the sound which is clearly ironic to actually what is going
to happen in the coming episodes and so gives off a good effect. Furthermore the diegetic sound effects from the
emergency services breaking up this happy soundtrack also give a good effect I would like to repeat because it builds
tension in the trailer.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
The areas of strength I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) and “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) from this clip would be
the use of quick cuts between characters and the use of close ups to portray the personalities of the characters.
I would use shot reverse shots (quick cuts) because it builds tension between the characters as if the emotions are
about to flair which gives off a good effect. The close ups are also a good technique to repeat because of the effect
they have on a viewer on making them concentrate on the main character rather than anything else in the image.