2. What is a soap opera?
Definitions of soap operas:
“Soap operas are ongoing works of fiction, and episodic in nature.” -
http://soaps.about.com/od/soaps101/a/whatsasoap.htm
“A television or radio program that has continuing stories about the daily lives and problems of a group of people” -
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera
I would define a soap opera has a serial drama with a mutli-strand narrative that focuses on the lives of multiple
characters within each episode.
Trailers are used to promote such shows, especially when important and dramatic events are to happen within the
narrative. The purpose of a soap opera trailer is to appeal to viewers of the show who may be unaware of a new series
or episode and what is to happen in the programme in the upcoming weeks or so. It can also appeal to new viewers
who may have not watched the show before. It is important for soap operas to gather a large audience as generally
soap operas work in competition. For example, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders usually aim to beat
each other in the ratings.
The content of a soap opera trailer includes some of the characters, storylines and themes that feature in the
programme. For example, Casualty on BBC One is a soap opera based around the events in a hospital and so the
trailer for it would include scenes of disasters and crisis, and have characters dressed to show their medical
occupations as nurses and doctors.
3. Steven Neale
Repetition and Difference Theory
Neale has a theory relating to genre and the nature of mediums, such as soap operas,
whereby the genre should be consistent and there should be repetition in order for the
audience to recognise it. The genre should be consistent in terms of characters, narrative,
setting, costumes, props and sound. For example, characters should be stereotypical in order
for the audience to recognise and relate to the characters and their personalities to find
pleasure.
However, Neale claims that it is important for mediums to have original ideas and characters
also, to create originality and avoid predictable characters and plot. This will result in the
medium becoming more unique and appealing to an audience looking for something fresh and
away from the norm. For example, not all characters in a medium may fit a stereotype and in
fact may go against the stereotype that the audience may assume they are.
Neale believed that “Genres are instances of repetition and differences. Difference is absolutely
essential to the economy of genre” and that if a convention was repeated, it would not attract
an audience as they would grow bored and that texts should show the conventions of more
than one genre.
http://heathenmedia.co.uk/ineedaholiday/2013/09/20/research-into-hybrid-genres-steve-neale-theory/
