The document outlines a media studies production log for A2 level, focusing on the evaluation of soap opera codes and conventions through textual analysis of shows like 'EastEnders' and 'Hollyoaks'. It discusses the expected audience demographics, narrative structures, and character archetypes typical of soap operas, emphasizing the appeal to working-class and female viewers. Additionally, it highlights the importance of multi-platform promotion and its role in maximizing audience engagement and viewing figures.

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St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
Candidate Number: 6622
Candidate Name: Jade Cook
A2 Media Studies
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media –
Production Log
Evidence of Planning & Research

2. 2
Aims and Objectives
 AO2 – Assess candidates’ application of knowledge and
understanding in evaluating their own work, showing
how meanings and responses are created.
 AO3 – Assess candidates’ ability to plan and construct
media products using appropriate technical and creative
skills.
 AO4 – Assess candidates’ ability to undertake, apply and
present appropriate research.
Brief Chosen
Contents
Textual Analysis
 Eastenders
- Soap Opera Codes & Conventions
- Multi Strand Narrative

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 Coronation Street
“..the home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as
such, it has long been said to appeal to the female viewer”
‘Masculinity and Popular television’ – Rebecca Feasey (2007)
1) What are some of the Codes & Conventions of this genre?
Codes and
conventions of
soap operas
Typical storylinese.g.
love, conflict, secrets
Multi-stranded
narrative
Largely targets a
female audience, as
stereotypically
females like to gossip
Brand identity
(ident) such as a
theme tune
Can ‘personally
relate’ (Katz) and
‘personally identify’
(Katz) to characters
and situations
Characters conform
to Propp’scharacter
roles
Often contains racial
stereotypes
‘Strong’ women in
soaps
Stereotypical
characters
such as, Indian
family owning
a corner shop
Usually has
communal
locations such
as pubs, cafes

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2) Codes & Conventions of the SoapOpera Genre
The Soap Operagenre can be categorizedby the ‘repeated’
(Steve Neale) elements of:
1. Love
2. Conflict
3. Secrets
4. Disasters e.g. fire, car crash
5. Death
Eastenders (1985 – Present)
Key informationregarding this text:
 BBC during prime time (7-11pm)
 Kitchen sinkrealism-familiar setting
 20 millionviewers tuned into the 30th anniversary (on average
10-15 million)
Textual Analysis Task
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye51O8WBVVM&feature=related -

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In your opinion, accordingto Hartley’s Seven Subjectivities, whatis the
target audiencefor Eastenders?
Age 18-60
Gender Female (stereotypically)
Nationality British
Trailer 1) The Week of Revelations
What is the Focus of this trailer?
To build anticipation for the audience as it focuses on the murder of the character
Lucy Beale and leaves the audience in suspense.
Code
&
Convention
Evidence
(Verbal, Non-Verbal,
Technical)
Impact on the Audience
(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)
Romance
Jane’s red lipstick
(mise-en-scene)
May attract a male audience (Hartley) as red
lipstick is something associated with love
and passion
Family
relationships
and/or conflict
Beale family together in
the fish and chip shop
Links to Hartley (family) as the audience feel
a sense of family belonging and may be able
to ‘personally relate’ (Katz) to the characters
Focus on
working class
communities
At the end of the trailer,
all the characters
gather in the square
which shows a sense of
community
Links to Hartley (class) as the audience can
‘personally relate/identify’ (Katz) with the
characters
“Multi-Stranded
Narrative”
All characters involved
in one storyline
although they live
separate lives
Links to Katz, as the audience are ‘informed
and educated’
‘Disequilibrium’
(Todorov)
Lucy’s death-hands
dragged down
windows, CGI used for
scary effect
Caregivers (Maslow) may sympathize with
the Beale family. This can also create a
diversion (Katz) for viewers as it creates an
escapism.

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Trailer 2) Hollyoaks End of The Line
What is the Focus of this trailer?
Focuses on a multi-stranded narrative as it shows fast paced cuts of different
characters involved in different situations
Code
&
Convention
Evidence
(Verbal, Non-Verbal,
Technical)
Impact on the Audience
(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)
Romance Woman asking man to
marry her
Viewers may form a ‘personal relationship’
(Katz) or may be able to ‘personally identify’
(Katz) themselves with the character
Family
relationships
and/or conflict
Man asks his partner to
marry him
Viewers may form a ‘personal relationship’
(Katz) or may be able to ‘personally identify’
(Katz) themselves with the character
Focus on
working class
communities
Fast paced cuts of all
the different characters
Caregivers (Maslow) may sympathize with
some of the characters as they focus on the
character’s facial expressions and emotions
“Multi-Stranded
Narrative”
All characters are
involved in the same
storylines
Caregivers (Maslow) will feel sympathy
towards some of the character’s and their
situations
‘Disequilibrium’
(Todorov)
Train crash,
Car pulled out of water
Caregivers (Maslow) will sympathize with
the characters as there scenes connote
disaster and upset
Multi-stranded narrative
A Multi-stranded narrative can be defined as…..
Different storylines which link together to create a single storyline

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Code & Convention Evidence Impact on the audience
 Multi-stranded
narrative
All characters storylines
link together
Audience can ‘personally
identify’ (Katz)
themselves with some of
the character’s storylines
 Family
relationships
and/or conflict
Sister’s Ronnie and Roxy
arguing
Viewers may be able to
‘personally identify’
(Katz) themselves if they
have ever had arguments
with their siblings
 Focus on working
class communities
On the market, they all
know each other
Viewers can ‘personally
identify’ (Katz)
 ‘Disequilibrium’
(Todorov)
Closing down of surgery Caregivers (Maslow) may
sympathize with the
characters if they have
been in a similar situation
 Romance Kush getting married Audience may be able to
‘personally identify’
(Katz) with the character
SoapOpera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson3
Textual Analysis
According to Rebecca Feasey in ‘Masculinity and Popular television’ (2007), the Soap
Opera genre tends to focus on:
“The home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman and as such, it
has long been said to appeal to the female viewer”

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1) – Do you agree?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8_ApPT6isY (First 5 minutes)
“Multi-Stranded Narrative” Focuses on the loss of family from a fire
 Family
relationships
and/or conflict
Jason supporting his mum and her friend in the pub
 Focus on working
class communities
Working in the pub-a place where everyone can meet
as a community
Disequilibrium’ (Todorov) Death from the fire,
At the hospital,
Breaking the bad news to Simon
 Other Themes &
Issues represented:
Domestic tribulations of Carla and Leanne arguing in
the street

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SoapOpera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson4
Textual Analysis
1) What is the purpose of a trailer?
To give the audience a glimpse of the soap opera to see if it appeals to them
2) What are the benefits of Multi-Platform promotion of a media text?
 Targets a wider audience
 Increase viewing figures and popularity
Ultimately, some form of Convergence is important when promoting a text to the
target audience.
Institution research –
 Originally targets the arts, culture, drama and some comedy
 Appealing to the audiences not already served by BBC1 or ITV
 Broadcasts more ‘highbrow’ (intellectual) programs
 Appeals to an audience aged 35-54
 The channel’s ethos are programs that are surprising, celebratory, witty,
warm, adventurous, intelligent, playful, informative and authoritative