OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio
Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: LUCY BOYLETT
Candidate Number: 5900
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
TRAILER 1:
WEBLINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeVVsFF56rU
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
• Contemporary soundtrack – upbeat, drums, guitar: represents music of the youth in the modern day
•Lyrics in song: “such a beautiful face” portrays females as eye candy and attractive – HARTLEYS SUBJECTIVITIES: Entices the male gender
•Lyrics in song: “I made mistakes back then” – This lyric in particular reveals the characters previous flaws, however the trailer is a representation of a new
beginning , as well as the introduction of new faces.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
•The trailer is set in a studio in preparation for a group photo shoot. Props include camera equipment, white sofas (connoting purity, innocence and wealth),
hairdryers, mirrors
•High-key lighting connotes a happy and joyous atmosphere which contrasts against the gritty and eroded walls in the background. This also reveals the concept of
the Soap Opera; the characters strive for wealth and success but are faced with a troublesome reality.
•Females: wearing extravagant dresses with slim builds, high heels, jewelry and other accessories. It is a portrayal of their sexual assets.
•The majority of the females also wear thick red lipstick; revealing their personalities. They are promiscuous, flirtatious and ruthless.
•Males: dressed in formal suits and cleanly shaven in order to emphasize their masculinity. Three males look overwhelmed at such a sight, therefore revealing that
they are the females “victims” as they look at them in a seductive manner.
•Reveals relationship between characters: close up of couple enjoying each others company and kissing
•Graphics at the end of the trailer: “Check out the new talent”. The language used is informal and colloquial therefore appealing to the younger working class
generation. It sends out positive messages about the young generation: that they have many skills and talents, as well as being beautiful and intellectual.
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
•Continuous use of slow motion effect: captures more detail.
•Long shot of new characters coming into the studio: perhaps reveals the sense of rivalry between the new and old characters
•Close up shot of females high heels walking towards the males. Female characters are positioned at the front of the group – demonstrates that they are the more
powerful and dominant gender. The females use their sexual ‘perks’ to lure men and/or create a disequilibrium.
•Close up shot of Brendan with sincere smirk on his face (highlights the fact that he could potentially be the antagonist of the show
•Close up of young females faces
•Straight cuts: sense of continuity and match on action
•Jump cuts: reveals the multi-stranded narrative that the show possesses.
TRAILER 1:
WEBLINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGXX2ubwoIU
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
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Non diegetic music: Very eerie, slow-paced, deep which creates a sincere and haunting effect. Audience feels a build up of suspense.
Voiceover of male at the end of the trailer: mono-toned, deep, sincere
Lyrics of song: “what we cant gain, we play, to make me feel this way” – Perhaps male character has caused some conflict with other characters.
Non-diegetic sounds of sharp wind blowing as the central male character looks up: connotes his personality as he comes across as very mysterious and
intimidating.
Sound of car engine (emphasizes a problem or disequilibrium)
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
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Setting: In “Emmerdale”, the streets of the town at night, the winter due to fog and smoke, small community as characters recognize each other. The dark
increases the characters vulnerability
Serious expressions on characters faces – creates an unsettling atmosphere as characters appear shocked and upset.
Costumes consist of casual modern day clothes, the central character wears a dark jacket and has hands tucked in pockets which shows he could perhaps have
something to hide.
Low key lighting and shadowing connotes danger, mystery, vulnerability. Artificial lighting from dim-lit street lamps.
Representation of emotional females: smudged mascara creates a sense of disequilibrium/ problem as central character is associated with her. This is also a
Binary Opposition (Levi Strauss) as females are usually portrayed as being ‘alpha female’.
All characters look at central character in disgust – shows that he is clearly excluded from the town and is not wanted.
As central character passes house, his shadow is reflect on the wall: portrays him as a criminal/villain who could potentially harm the vulnerable female gender.
The trailer has signs of a multi-stranded narrative as male characters entrance does not please anyone, however he is being followed by a hooded figure so it
plays on a sense of revenge.
Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
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Establishing shot – of male character walking through the town. Appears to look like a ‘ghost town’
Aerial shot – of central character walking into the town, he has arrived is about to cause or be part of a certain trouble. Introduces his entrance to the show in a
sincere manner.
Over the shoulder shot- mysterious hooded figure walking directly behind the central male creating which creates an enigma in the audiences mind. Indicates a
problem/conflict.
Continuous use of slow motion – this captures even greater detail and emphasizes the central characters intimidating persona.
Mid-shot of car headlights shining brightly on central character: symbolizes a death? A car crash?
Close up shots of male smirking- he is devious and ruthless.
Close up shot of female crying and looking frightened – this camera shot is both intrusive and confrontational.
Cut in shot: of central characters footsteps and outline of shadow as he walks down the road. This signifies that he is mysterious.
Low angle shot of local public house sign: perhaps symbolizes a crime scene or an event which will occur at that specific location.
Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
An area of strength in the trailer was the emphasis on the divide between the new characters and the existing characters. It focused on youthfulness
and a glamorous lifestyle. The high-key lighting portrayed emotions of happiness in relation to a new beginning/fresh start. The use of props such as
camera equipment used do the photo shoot create a sense of excitement as audiences feel as if they have been let into an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’
preview as to the new talent joining the show. Another area of strength is the glorification of being young, wild and free which is demonstrated in the
exposing outfits worn by the female characters. In terms of targeting an audience interests, young female audiences will identify with the personalities
of the female characters (Katz) and will urge them to be regular viewers of the soap as a result of the glitz and glamour they see.
In relation to my own Soap Opera trailer, if I were to target a similar age group, I would emphasize the theme of relationships and use contemporary
music in order to increase its relevance to modern day society.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
Unlike the first trailer, an area of strength in the second trailer was the enigma created in order to engage the audience in the narrative and build
suspense. Many questions came into my mind as I was watching such as; what has the older male done? Why do the other characters appear shocked
to see him? Who is the hooded figure following the male? What does the car and bar sign symbolize? Throughout the trailer, there was a continuous
use of slow motion which I felt was very effective as time automatically slowed down and the movements of the central character became more
significant which made him appear all the more mysterious. The bold graphics at the end of the trailer: “judgment day” reveal the themes of revenge
and/or connote a consequence of being saved or facing death. Therefore the meaning behind the words are very explicit and grasp the audiences
attention even more.
The soundtrack was very effective as it highlighted other narratives within the Soap. This set tone of the trailer as being very sincere and full of mystery
and speculation.
The lighting also had an immense impact on the overall feel of the trailer as low-key lighting and shadowing made certain characters look vulnerable.
Most especially the female sat on the public bench who appeared distressed and upset. The flash of light (similar to that of a camera lens) as the
camera focused on the public house sign acted as a clue to the upcoming events. This signifies a crime scene investigation and placed the audience in a
position of an investigator.
The fact that the trailer was shot in an exterior location added greater realism and ‘grittiness’ which expose the running themes of crime and death.
In relation to my own Soap Opera trailer, if I were to do mine whereby the narrative revolved around a death or an upcoming murder, the post
production slow motion effect and the use of unsettling sound effects would successfully add to the suspense.