Textual analysis of 2 soap opera trailers

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: William Hennegan
Candidate Number: 3057
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Coronation street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9U_PBf-ZoA
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack.
The verbal diegetic code of “you pretty much said you wished ken was dead” engages the audience emotionally by
using shocking and powerful language. This is also backed up by a later quote: “Why would you write this and what
are you running from?” as it involves the same characters. Furthermore the verbal diegetic code of “you were keen
to pin it on Daniel because you know the net’s closing in on you” connotes that allot of illegal activity and harm to
others which is backed up by the verbal code “No comment” as this closed off language is usually associated with
crime, another theme of the soup opera genre.
The Non-diegetic code of “I walked alone” featured in the soundtrack of the trailer reflects the images presented,
including an image of a character sitting alone in the center of a room. These features both connote how the
character feels isolated in a multi stranded plot.
“you pretty
much said
you wished
ken was
dead”
“Why
would you
write this
and what
are you
running
from?”
“you were
keen to pin it
on Daniel
because you
know the net’s
closing in on
you”
“No
comment”

3. Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting,
Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters.
By using low key lighting the shot appears more tense and “darker”
than “regular soap opera settings” as Coronation street takes place
primarily in the day. Even though some scenes take place during the
day the light from behind clouds creates a dreary/tired look on the
scene. This lighting connotes a darker atmosphere.
Because the show takes place in everyday locations it is fitting for
scenes to take place in streets, homes, a pub, hospital, school, for
example. This also signifies (De Saussure) that the characters should
wear appropriate clothing for where they are: suit and tie for an
office, high visibility uniform for road workers, casual clothing while
at home, for example.
Trailer 1 – Coronation street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9U_PBf-ZoA

4. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement.
The tracking shot following the bottle moves the focus onto the bottle and emphasizes the
character’s feelings of discomfort relating to the bottle. The extreme close-up used when a man
says “no comment” creates tension. The Broken frame used in the window of the hospital wing
and it’s blinds leaves a mysterious tone for the rest of the show and tension for the characters in
the program. The slow zoom used is able to connote the realizations the characters have and
this creates tension for the audience members. The Slow pan is used to emphasize depression
or tension in the trailer. This is evident when we see a man sitting and crying alone.
Trailer 1 – Coronation street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9U_PBf-ZoA

5. Trailer 2 – East Enders -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkiobax0XPQ
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack.
The verbal diegetic code of “Is he in trouble” engages the audience emotionally by using shocking and
powerful language.
This is also enforced by the man, “I never did this” as it involves the same characters. Furthermore the
verbal diegetic code of “he’s going to suffer serious injuries” connotes that allot of illegal activity and
harm to others which is backed up by the verbal code “there will be no trouble, will there” as this
closed off language is usually associated with crime, another theme of the soap opera genre.
“Is he in
trouble”
“I never
did this”
“He’s
going to
suffer
serious
injuries”
“There
will be no
trouble,
will
there”

6. Trailer 2 – East Enders -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkiobax0XPQ
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Character.
By using low key lighting the denotations of the shot appears more tense and “darker” than the
average soap opera settings as East Enders takes place primarily in the day. This connotes that the
overall plot of this series is “darker” than the average soap opera.
Even though some scenes take place during the day the light from behind clouds creates a
dreary/tired look on the scene. This lighting connotes a darker atmosphere through low-key lighting
denotations.
Because the show takes place in everyday locations it is fitting for scenes to take place in streets,
homes, a pub, hospital, school, for example. This also means that the characters should wear
appropriate clothing for where they are: suit and tie for an office, high visibility vests for road workers,
casual clothing while at home, etc.
“Is he in trouble” “There will be no trouble, will there”

7. Trailer 2 – East Enders -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkiobax0XPQ
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement.
The extreme close-up used when a man says “I never did this” denotes extreme tension. The Broken
frame used in the window of the hospital wing and it’s blinds leaves a mysterious tone for the rest of
the show and tension for the characters in the program.
The slow zoom used is able to connote the realizations the characters have and this creates tension
for the audience members. The Slow pan is used to emphasize depression or tension in the trailer.
This is evident when we see a man sitting and crying alone.
“Is he in trouble” “He’s going to suffer serious injuries”

8. 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 tracking shot of the bottle as it is taken by
the man as this can connote alcoholism as this can help relate to audience
members who may or may not have been effected.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or
“exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
I would repeat (Steve Neale) the she slow zoom as it is used is able to
connote the realizations the characters have and this creates tension for the
audience members. The Slow pan is used to emphasize depression or
tension in the trailer.