tewtwewt

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Joe Dolan
Candidate Number: 2043
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer: EastEnders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUqmm7RuYn8
Verbal Codes –
Without the use of diegetic dialogue this use can build up the use of tension of which is fundamental for a trailer and soap operas as they are trying
to appeal to the audience and make them more incentivized to watch this. However the verbal code of the lullaby theme in the background
throughout the non diegetic soundtrack makes the location seem isolated but also haunted by something that the viewers are oblivious of. The use
of diegetic ambient sound has the ability to present an extra presence that is indescribable such as the wind howling. Lucy Beale’s voice in the
background (non-diegetic voice) is used to present empathy as it ‘signifies’ (Saussure's) she is crying out for attention and how individuals may
sympathise with her as she is female and they are stereotypically associated with being fragile (‘Princess’ – Propp) and need a savour like a male.
The viewers may be confused as to why she is presented singing and why she isn't emotionally screaming or crying like a female would be
stereotyped to do within a dangerous situation, whereas singing seems a peaceful process to be doing when surrounded within this death scene.
Horror is presented through the diegetic noise of the park objects such as the squeaking of the swing and the closing of the gate of which effectively
presents this genre.
There is no present non diegetic voiceover as the use of Lucy Beales singing is the use of narrative as she is calm and collected in this death scene
and is an anti-stereotype as opposed to what you’d expect a female to react like.
Non-Verbal Codes –
This trailer is presented across a multitude of locations of which helps signify the multitude of classes that are presented within this trailer. At the
beginning the establishing shot presents a isolated park of which can imply how it is empty and tense and therefore builds suspense for the audience
as they are unsure as to why it is derelict. The next scene, however, juxtaposes the normal with abnormal through the supermarket of which many
people in the audience would be able to relate to until the bottle tops start turning. This can imply that the presence of something in
comprehendible is within this area. This is followed by a hand print of which opens up the darkness behind the transparent window that can suggest
how a crime has been committed and can identify how a clue has been presented and gives the audience the idea that the murder was no accident.
This is followed by the group that is known from the main cast approaching something they don’t understand as the gate smashes the unknown
illustrates that these characters seeking answers could also be guilty of this crime and how they are all in the hot seat for being the murderer.
The costume being presented on the characters is dark and connotes evil and gives the idea that they are possibly guilty and linked to this crime
somehow. The lighting is also low key presenting the horror genre of the episodes. This process is used to give the idea of a cliff-hanger, therefore
the audience will watch the next episode as they are curious as to what is going on and what is to happen for the future.
Lucy Beale is represented as in authority Rebecca Feasey (2007) because she is above the collection of characters that are apparently guilty and also
looking up to her.

3. The use of the technical code of the tracking shot at the beginning of the trailer seems to illustrate that the
man walking through the park is looking for answers alike the audience who follow him through the park.
Also the use of broken frame shot ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) how Max Branning is broken by the
surroundings he is living in and how he is unable to cope with this as he smokes a cigarette. This is then
later emphasized through the technical code of the close up of Max Branning’s face as the audience see his
surprised and alarmed expression through his face of which can imply how he could be a candidate for
being a murderer of which contrasts the beginning scene. The tracking shots of each of the characters is
used to reveal to the audience the shock and horror of what’s been committed and how when it is
revealed to the characters they will be in as much shock as the viewers of the program. The female
presented on the roof is interesting as she is illustrated as dead although she is a victim of a brutal crime
and is being also presented as alive of which makes it contrast. It reminds the audience and characters that
her death is looming over them and how they could feel guilty about this crime. Also the use of the close
up shot expressing Lucy Beales facial expressions highlights how she has been affected by death and that
she seems surprisingly calm by what has occurred to her. Another shot type used is a long shot of the
murder suspects and illustrates them lined up together and this interestingly invites the audience to look
at them all and inspect their facial expressions such as guilt. Lastly, the editing techniques used lacked
depth and examples of this were fade ins such as when the shots changed from the murderers to the
victims and interestingly this effect allowed them to swiftly see the effect that this murder has caused on
the town.
Technical Codes- Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and
Camera

5. Trailer 2 – Hollyoaks
Verbal Codes –
The verbal code of the non-diegetic soundtrack for this trailer becomes an instant effect, the confusing fast tempo of the soundtrack
interestingly denotes the cyclical nature of friendship issues and fallouts and how they are never-ending. The use of the fast paced
sound effect is use effectively to work alongside the quick clips of the tension that builds up gradually in this soap opera and how the
scenes are left on a cliff-hanger. These clips illustrate arguments verbally of individuals arguing about everyday scenarios so the
audience is likely to relate to the arguments and are able to choose a characters side due to what they believe in. These arguments are
unable to be resolved and leave the audience with a faint idea of what is to come in the following episode therefore they wish to see
the next occurrence. Within this trailer the use of non diegetic voiceover is not present which could be used to emphasise the
importance of the characters vocals instead and gives them a voice. The use of the diegetic dialogue “You boys just dug up the wrong
corpse’ and “Stop the car” is able to captivate the audience enough that they wish to watch the next episode due to the cliff-hangers
presented.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
The use of non verbal code of the lighting varies within the trailer through low key and high key lighting of which explains how there is
change within this soap opera. This change in lighting denotes how these individuals change within their setting and how the people
present have plenty of issues going on in their life. There is also a variety of settings within this trailer and soap opera although they are
generally positioned in non-public places as the individuals are segregated in their own environment. The characters facial expressions
change throughout the trailer as there is a variety of moods set in this soap opera such as happiness and anger.
For example when the secret is exposed the characters emotion is stunned as she is unable to cope with what is happening to her. The
use of costume effectively expresses the mood set within the soap, for example within the darker scenes the characters are presented
wearing a darker outfit expressing evil and ‘villainy’ (Propp) and a more menacing demeanor. However with the use of the more
standard outfit such as a wedding outfit, the trailer uses high key lighting, however, when the arguments commence the costume
becomes more unpresentable such as top buttons undone, but also the lighting changes to low key. The use of the female gender
“Challenging” the male gender for example when a female is holding a male back from an argument of which illustrates her as superior
as she is morally correct in the decision of standing against violence (Rebecca Feasey (2007).
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/hollyoaks/videos/all/official-
hollyoaks-trailer-spring-2015

6. Most clips used in the sequence are close ups and this could be because it labels the facial expressions of the characters
and allows them to express how they feel for example “anger”. The variety of conflict within a soap opera such as
Hollyoaks is expressed through the different camera shots and how they change in accordance to the situation , also the
effects suggest that the argument inflictions are continuous and therefore problems that the characters encounter such
as cancer are unable to be resolved. Also the use of a cliff-hanger, for example the gun being held against the victim of
which can suggest that the audience would be raring to see the next episode and the out come of the scenario.
The woman is stereotypically illustrated as scared and unable to escape danger through expressing fear. express the
sadness in the scene as the male admits that he is ‘dying’. After this towards the end of the trailer a close up of a
women holding a gun is portrayed, this is an anti-stereotype as it suggests the woman is in control of the situation and
has authority. The trailer is then cut out with a sound of a gun shot of which allows the audience to think about what
has gone on and who has been shot. The audience have time to question the scenario and keeps them waiting for the
next episode. The scene does not use complex transitions as it has to be quick and sharp to fit with the music but also
the problems constantly changing with the characters.
Technical Codes –

8. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
Within my trailer I would “repeat”(Steve Neale) the broken frame shot in I similar location
such as a market or town where a lot is going on and this effect can effectively illustrate the
confusion of a location in expressing the location delivers the emotions that are relevant to
the upcoming episodes. Also I will “repeat” the tracking shot of which the directors of this
trailer used to follow Max Branning through the park as it will be effective as to follow the
subject of my episode and therefore use this and “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) it to my
alcoholic individual idea who is returning to the town but the tracking shot will be effected
by the state of the individual.
The use of low key lighting, however, would not be effective in my soap opera as I would like
to use a variety of lighting effects to illustrate the different aspects of my advertisement.
I also wish to use more diegetic dialogue to draw the audience closer to the characters to
make the situation so they can empathise with the situation and give the audience a
broader understanding of what is happening rather than a minority of diegetic dialogue
used. I would also “repeat” the impact the soundtrack has on the audience, for example it is
meant to express the mysterious horror nature that is based around Lucy Beale. I think this
impact is important to all genres, therefore I wish to “repeat” this within my soap opera
whatever the genre I choose it will be effective.

9. Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or
“exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
From this trailer I feel the sharp intense clips were effective in building
tension and allows the audience a constant cliff-hanger of which is an
effective process in giving the audience a better experience. I believe the
speed use to portray each clips is to fast and is ineffective in the way that it
illustrates the clip as the audience is unable to engage with the trailer
effectively.
This trailer also gives the ability to express different moments from the soap
opera and give a broader understanding of what the moral of this is actually
about. Moreover, the cliff-hangers used effectively build tension and is able to
underline the main story objective therefore I will probably “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995) this technique and use this towards the end of my
trailer.