This document provides an analysis of two soap opera trailers from Hollyoaks and Eastenders. For each trailer, it summarizes the use of verbal codes like dialogue and soundtrack, non-verbal codes like lighting, costumes and setting, and technical codes like camera angles and shot types. It evaluates the strengths of each trailer, noting elements it would repeat like changing soundtracks and fast cuts, or exploit like a powerful opening line or short trailer length.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Emma Walker
Candidate Number: 1252
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Hollyoaks Spring Trailer 2016 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAE0V4ExSWo
Verbal Codes
The underlying non-diegetic soundtrack that plays throughout this trailer ‘signifies’ (De
Saussure) the darkness of the plot that this trailer is revealing. The opening diegetic
dialogue of ‘Kim isn’t a murderer’ also connotes the dark plot present, whereby it’s use as
the opening dialogue gives a shock to the reader due to the use of the word ‘murderer’.
About 20 seconds into the trailer the tempo and pace of the soundtrack increases, this
signifies the plot thickening. Throughout the trailer there is no narrative voice over, I feel
that this allows the audience to connect with the characters on a more personal level as
they are hearing the plot directly from them.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
Some of the areas have lower key lighting than others, this signifies (De Saussure) the
shadiness and mischief of the plot. The trailer is set in a village and only on one occasion a
scene is shot outside of the village. This allows the audience to know that it will be easy to
connect and get to know each of the characters as they are all in the same village. It also
allows the audience to see the community factor which is represented also through the
setting, which the audience can relate to. By the characters in the trailer dressing in casual
high-street clothes, it further allows the audience to connect with them as this type of
clothing is similar to what members of the audience would wear.

3. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
The use of fast paced cuts throughout and being even more prominent at the end of the
trailer, it suggests the intensity of the series and implies to the audience that it will be
action packed. Throughout the trailer the use of close ups and extreme close ups can be
seen as being used to reveal the mystery of the characters and also enable the audience to
fully see the facial expressions of the characters allowing the makers of the trailer to
convey the darkness of the plot further. At the end of the trailer the camera zooms into
the characters face and stops zooming when he begins to speak. The use of the zoom
intensifies the return of the character and also his dialogue, therefore leaving the trailer
on quite a powerful note.
Close-Up Shot: Zoom In:
Low key
lighting
Casual
everyday
clothing

4. Trailer 2 – Eastenders New Years 2016 trailer -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HXXOS-qySE
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The underlying soundtrack starts of with quite a happy sound but suddenly changes at
about 12 seconds in. The change of the soundtrack ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) the turn in
events within the plot. The first soundtrack symbolises a series of happy and joyful events,
whereas the second soundtrack reveals the darker more sinister side to the plot. The last
dialogue that is in the trailer is is one of the female characters screaming ‘Mick’ which is
revealed to be her husbands name. This leaves the trailer on a cliffhanger as the audience
does not know what is going to happen to Mick.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
The low key lighting used when the characters are in the lake represents the bad situation.
The low key lighting holds a deeper meaning of the darkness of the storyline. The trailer
contrasts from high key lighting at the beginning to low key lighting when the plot
becomes more intense. As the setting is a wedding all of the characters are dressed in
formal clothing in bright colours. This represents the joyful and happy storyline which is
later contradicted.

5. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
The use of the technical code of a close up showing characters clinking their champagne
glasses together ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) the happiness they are feeling further. This is
later contradicted by the fast paced cuts which reveal a much more sinister plot starting to
unravel. The happiness at the start of the trailer is further promoted by the use of a
panning shot of the guests at the wedding, by making the start of the trailer have a happy
feeling it gives the audience a bigger shock when the plot suddenly turns. Throughout the
trailer they use a lot of close ups, this allows the audience to see the facial expression of
every character and they are more focused on their facial expression due to this. This then
slowly unravels the plot further as the characters facial expressions change their emotions.
Low Key Lighting
Close Up of
Champagne Glasses =
celebration
Panning shot
of audience

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie –
1995)
I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the use of an underlying soundtrack throughout to intensify the emotion
being portrayed. I also liked the use of a sound bridge, which is something I may ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
in my trailer. I would also like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the use of differentiating between low and high
key lighting to portray the atmosphere and mood of the plot. This is something that I think worked quite
well in this trailer. Fast paced cuts is something that was included in both trailers and I would like to put
this element into my trailer. I would ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995) the idea of starting with quite a
powerful piece of dialogue with a sentence that sets the mood and tone for the show.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie –
1995)
I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the element of changing the soundtrack throughout the trailer in
order to create a change of atmosphere and also intensify this change. As I mentioned previously both
trailers used fast paced cuts, the use of the fast paced cuts towards the end of the trailer added to the
atmosphere also and this is something I may ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) in my trailer. In addition the length of
this trailer was much shorter than the length of the first trailer, this is something I may consider to
‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995) for my own trailer as it got straight to the point and didn’t drag on, I
personally think this made it more effective for the audience.