Zoe Hickson - Textual analysis task - 1033

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Zoe Hickson
Candidate Number: 1033
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – Hollyoaks trailer – Spring 2016 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAE0V4ExSWo
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The diegetic verbal code of dialogue “Tim isn’t a murderer” denoted at the beginning of the trailer is used to draw in the audience and
to make them want to know who the murderer actually is. This connotes that the series is likely to be dramatic and involve mysteries,
which will attract their target audience. This is anchored by the non diegetic soundtrack used throughout the trailer which has a strong
beat, making the action seem more dramatic for the audience. The use of sound effects such as the explosion at the end of the trailer
adds to the high intensity of it and makes the audience want to know how the explosion occurred and who caused it. This is the climax
of the trailer before the Hollyoaks ident is denoted, which then cuts to the final scene in the trailer where one of the actors turns around
and looks directly at the camera before saying “Aw, did you miss me”. This seems as though he is talking directly to the audience, by
breaking the fourth wall, but in reality he is most likely talking to one of the other characters in the series. This dialogue suggests he has
returned to the show after leaving or having a break from it, and by breaking the fourth wall, the audience will feel more involved and
may want to watch the series to see why he has returned.

3. Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters
The low key lighting used at times within this trailer may connote that the series will be sinister and perhaps depressing to watch. Many
of the facial expressions seen within the trailer, which include frowning and furrowed eyebrows, also portray the series to be full of
drama and action which are both likely to attract the target audience. Other scenes within the trailer present characters fighting or
shouting at each other which are likely to attract a wider target audience such as males who may stereotypically prefer action scenes to
romantic ones. The non-verbal code of the body language seen by some of the characters further represent the tension between them.
There are various settings seen in the trailer, many of which are expected within soap operas. For example, some scenes take place in a
street, others in a club and some inside a house or hospital, which are stereotypical settings in a soap opera.

4. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement
The technical code of the camera zoom in on the character who has returned builds on the tension between him and the other
characters, and also perhaps shows that other characters may feel intimidated by his return. The low angle shot of the two women
looking at the woman on the hospital poster, which then cuts to a close up pan from left to right of the woman, and then a close up shot
of the woman on the poster represents the woman to be a victim. This is anchored by the shocked facial expressions on the two
women. This does not follow gender stereotypes within soap operas as there is typically a strong female character, perhaps encouraging
a male audience to watch the soap opera, as it is not clear which gender is stronger. The zoom in on the parents after being told by their
son that the woman wasn’t his sister connotes that the series will be full of surprises, and will encourage the audience to watch, in
order to find out if he is telling the truth about her not being his sister.

5. Trailer 2 – Coronation Street trailer -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6RCp3-J-Fc
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
The non diegetic sound track used throughout this trailer seems to get louder and build up to a climax as the trailer continues, which
‘signifies’ (De Saussure) that the series of Coronation Street will be full of intense drama. The first lyrics heard in the song state “We are
proud” which connotes that the characters in the series are proud of their actions, and do not regret anything they do within the series.
By the end of the trailer, the music is louder and has a loud drum beat which anchors the action seen throughout the trailer.
The diegetic verbal code of dialogue “maybe I just need a fresh start somewhere else” anchored by the non-verbal code of the low
lighting suggests that the series will be intense and perhaps sinister to some extent.
There is no voice-over present in this trailer, perhaps to present the reality in some of the scenes, in order to encourage audience
members to form a ‘personal relationship’ (Katz’ Uses and Gratifications Theory) with some of the characters.

6. Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters
The non-verbal code of the low lighting established in many of the scenes within the trailer represents the dark mood of some of the
episodes to come as well as the upsetting situations that some of the characters find themselves in.
The non-verbal code of the red coat one of the women in the trailer wears connotes that she is perhaps seen as seductive. This is
supported through the technical code of the camera pan from right to left, following her as she walks, as if from the males point of view.
However her facial expressions, which consist of furrowed eyebrows and frowning, reveal to the audience that perhaps there is tension
between her and one of the two people standing by the wall. This is anchored by the woman at the wall’s facial expressions as when she
sees the woman walking past she furrows her eyebrows at her.

7. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement
The technical code of the tracking shot as one of the two women fighting is pushed to the floor represents her to be vulnerable, and
encourages the audience to watch the series to see why they were fighting and whether the woman who was pushed to the floor will be
okay. The technical code of the fast paced cuts throughout the trailer connotes that the series will be full of intense action, encouraging
the audience to watch the series. The out of focus shot where a man punches someone, who appears to be a woman as the audience
simultaneously hears a woman scream (diegetic sound) draws the audience in, as it is not clear who the man is punching. This makes
the audience want to watch that episode, to see who he is punching and why he is punching her.

8. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
Examples of verbal codes from the Hollyoaks trailer I intend to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) include interesting dialogue, and the non-diegetic
sound track with an upbeat tempo. I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the use of dialogue, as it is used to make the reader want to watch
the whole series. One example from the Hollyoaks trailer is “Tim isn’t a murderer” which is likely to draw in the attention of the audience
and make them want to find out who the murderer actually is. The non-diegetic soundtrack used in the Hollyoaks trailer adds to the
intensity of the trailer and builds up the tension between the characters. I feel that this could be used as a sound motif throughout the
episodes in the series which is common among soap operas.
Some verbal codes that I intend to “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) include the sound effects, and the breaking the fourth wall element of
the trailer. I will “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) the sound effects by using something smaller but still effective in my trailer, as the
explosion seemed to be the climax of the Hollyoaks trailer. I will also “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) the element of breaking the fourth
wall, by having the actor seem as though they are talking to the camera, and then perhaps cut to the person they are actually talking to.
Examples of non-verbal codes from the Hollyoaks trailer I intend to “repeat” (Steve Neale) include the facial expressions, which consist of
furrowed eyebrows and frowning, as well as raised eyebrows and an open mouth to connote something shocking within the series. I also
intent to “repeat” (Steve Neale) the type of body language seen in the trailer, as this used to represent the tension between characters. I
intend to “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) the use of low key lighting in the trailer, as at times in the Hollyoaks trailer, it is difficult to
establish which characters are in shot, which is not ideal when creating a new soap opera, as viewers do not know the characters well.
Examples of technical codes I intent to “repeat”(Steve Neale) include camera zooms, and low angle shots. The camera zooms within the
Hollyoaks trailer build up tension, and the low angle shots may be seen to represent the characters to be strong or powerful, which I could
use in my trailer. I intend to “exploit” (Abercrombie) the camera pan, as in the Hollyoaks trailer, where the pan seemed to go from a low to
high angle shot, whereas in my trailer, I will keep the camera at the same level.

9. Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
Examples of verbal codes from the Coronation Street trailer I intend to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) include the non diegetic soundtrack which
builds up to a climax. I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale). This is because it builds up the tension between the characters. I feel that this
could be used as a sound motif during the episodes in the series. The lyrics in the trailer also add to the intensity of it, so I will use a
soundtrack with lyrics that relate to my trailer. There was no voice over used in the Coronation Street trailer, which is something that I will
“exploit” (Abercrombie - 1995) in my trailer, as I feel that a voice over at the end of the trailer introducing the new series, is likely to attract
my target audience, as the voice over will seem to be talking directly to them.
Examples of non-verbal codes from the Coronation Street trailer I intend to “repeat” (Steve Neale) include the colours of some of the
costumes, such as the red coat to connote that the woman wearing it is seductive, as well as the facial expressions seen in the trailer.
Non-verbal codes I intend to “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) include the low key lighting, as this makes it difficult to identify which
characters are in the scene, which is unlikely to attract my target audience, as they will not be familiar with the characters in a new soap
opera.
Technical codes that I intend to “repeat” (Steve Neale) include the fast paced cuts, which add to the tension of the trailer, as well as the
tracking shot within the trailer. The tracking shot could attract the target audience, as they will feel closer to the characters due to the
camera following the characters. I intend to “exploit” (Abercrombie - 1995) the out of focus shots, as this was used in the Coronation Street
trailer to add a mystery into the series, as it is not clear who was punched, however I feel that in my trailer, if I am not using low key
lighting, the shots need to be in focus to ensure the characters are all visible.