Sunday 30 October 2011
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Monday 10 October 2011
Magazine Analysis.
I am analysing these magazine covers so that I can see in detail the different generic conventions, I can then apply these to our own magazine cover. By looking at a range of magazine covers it also gives me an idea of how the layout should look, the colours and the overall style. It also needs to look good so that a larger audience will be drawn to it and will then buy it.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Initial Ideas On Our Own Soap Opera
This is the spider diagram that I have made looking at my initial ideas for my soap opera. I have looked at the characters, titles, locations and story lines.
All of the story lines, characters and locations that I have included within this spider diagram are all things that would normally appear in soap operas and they are everyday places, people and things that happen. The characters that are on there would go well in the story lines and the story lines would be set in those particular locations. The titles that I have looked at are taken from places around the area that we would like to film as well as inspiration from existing soap operas.
All of the story lines, characters and locations that I have included within this spider diagram are all things that would normally appear in soap operas and they are everyday places, people and things that happen. The characters that are on there would go well in the story lines and the story lines would be set in those particular locations. The titles that I have looked at are taken from places around the area that we would like to film as well as inspiration from existing soap operas.
Soap Opera Poster
After looking at billboards on main roads, posters at bus stops and even adverts at he local train station I have found that they don’t often advertise soaps or even TV programmes. The only thing that I have seen to do with soaps was a huge billboard advertising ‘Harvey Coronation Street ’.
I have been looking through the local newspapers and I only found one that included a few bits about soaps. I looked through the mail on Sunday, the weekly news and the Essex chronicle and all of them didn’t include anything about soaps.
All the pictures above were taken from the daily mail, there was just one page in the whole newspaper that had five columns of information about what is going to be on within the soap for the next week. None of them are proper posters for the soaps but they do include pictures and information about story lines which does help with advertising.
All the columns have the same style and format so none of them really stand out from each other, or represent the individual soap operas. The newspaper has chosen the top story from that particular soap that will be shown during the week after the newspaper is printed. Each one has a picture of the characters taken from the soap itself or a picture that has been taken on set which relates to the storyline.
The column has been set out so that the soaps title is in all capitals, medium sized writing and in the colour red, it then has the name of the storyline it is advertising underneath again all in capitals, but in a smaller sized text and in a black colour. Finally the description is just normal text, the colour black and smaller than the storyline name. This means that as they all look the same the audience may not may much attention to the individual soaps in particular as they all look the same.
All the columns have the same style and format so none of them really stand out from each other, or represent the individual soap operas. The newspaper has chosen the top story from that particular soap that will be shown during the week after the newspaper is printed. Each one has a picture of the characters taken from the soap itself or a picture that has been taken on set which relates to the storyline.
The column has been set out so that the soaps title is in all capitals, medium sized writing and in the colour red, it then has the name of the storyline it is advertising underneath again all in capitals, but in a smaller sized text and in a black colour. Finally the description is just normal text, the colour black and smaller than the storyline name. This means that as they all look the same the audience may not may much attention to the individual soaps in particular as they all look the same.
Soap Opera Magazine / Listings Magazine Titles
27th August – 2nd Sept 2011 TV Choice Magazine.
All the colours that are used are very bright to make the magazine really stand out, even colours that clash like the ones used in the main storyline uses florescent pink text and its on a bright yellow background.
The main story lines on the front cover are in a big bold text for example ‘Kidnap Drama’ and ‘Its Mandy’ and then the explanation or extra information including the soaps name is in bold italics for example ‘Kirk and Tommy’s’ and ‘Ian’s Shock’. This draws the audiences attention to the storyline which then makes the interested in what the rest of the description says.
All the writing on the front cover is very brief with dramatic words used like ‘shock’ and ‘drama’ this also makes the audience 1) want to buy the magazine to find out more and 2) watch the programme. The captions give the audience a hint of the drama that is going to happen without giving too much away at the same time.
The pictures that are used all have the same type of format, the main storyline for the week (in this case Eastenders) takes up the majority of the front cover, there is a huge picture of the characters that the storyline involves and then has a caption and storyline underneath. It also has a smaller storyline from the same soap to draw even more attention to the soap and to make the audience want to watch it.
If the story lines are specific to particular characters then it has a picture of those characters which has been taken specifically for the magazine and promotion purposes. Whereas the adverts for soaps that include lots of characters or that are giving information about the soap for example ‘Doctor Who Returns’ and ‘My Family the last one ever’ have snapshots taken from the programme itself or pictures of the characters taken on set. The ones taken on set or from the programme give the audience even more insight into what’s going to happen making them more interested.
The Corrie advert uses the orange around the words and picture to draw attention to the soap but then it uses the bold black writing which gives connotations of it being a bad storyline for the characters and that it is bad news. This is also the case for the main Eastenders one as well, the ‘We’re having a baby’ is all bright giving connotations of positivity and happiness and then the ‘Kat and Alfie celebrate – but for how long?’ is in black to give the storyline a twist and to show connotations of negativity.
Giving a storyline a big twist and turning a positive into a negative is a great way magazines help draw attention to the soaps.
Past Student Soap Opera Trailers.
Sound - At the very beginning we have the diegetic dialogue of the vicar. Low key non-diegetic music then starts to with diegetic dialogue is then heard over the top. The music then changes to a low bass beat and party music to help set the scene. Diegetic sounds of a bottle being knocked by the door is heard and then the music that was used at the beginning starts to play again. At the end a voice over has been used to name the title and details of when the soap would be shown, they chose to use a whisper to say this in. I don't think the whisper really makes sense and it doesn't really go with the piece.
Mise - There is a wedding scene at the beginning, the white wedding dress gives connotations of innocence. High key lighting is used for the wedding scenes and the party but the rest has very low key lighting. The settings that were used were places like a pub, a living room and a kitchen all places that a normal person could use on a daily basis as well as being the most generic conventional locations of a soap opera. Some of the props that were used were a photo and in most scenes alcohol was used, this shows that this particular prop has an importance to it within the storyline. The way they have shown the photo and the alcohol it could suggest to the audience that there is going to be trouble. At the end when we see the characters going to open a door and then it flashes back to the wedding scene it also gives the sense of trouble.
Camera angles - Two shots are used to show the groups of characters long shots to show the full length of the character which also helps to show there body language. A close up is used to look at the photo so that the audience are able to see exactly what the photo is of. A low angle shot during the party scene to show the hierarchy of the character being higher than the rest of the characters. A close up is used on the bottle being pushed by the door so that you can see the door being oped but you are unable to see who is coming through the door. A over the shoulder shot when looking at the door being about to be opened.
Narrative - This trailer has an open narrative so that the audience are given some information about the story lines and the characters within the soap but not too much is given away so that the audience will be drawn into it and want to watch the soap itself, forking paths have also been used to show loads of different story lines in the trailer. The audience doesn't know whats going on in any of the story lines which helps to keep the open narrative.
Titles - There is a title shown at the beginning of the trailer asking the audience a rhetorical question this gets the audience thinking and they then want to watch the soap in order to find out more. The rest of the titles are shown at the end and they are very basic, just white writing on a black background that just fades onto the screen. The channel and the details of when it will be shown are in the same style, both are the same colour and size as the title. However this does mean that the audience have all the information that they need about the soap so that they can watch it when it comes out.
Sound - Non-diegetic high pitched piano music is used during the trailer, this gives connotations as being creepy and mysterious. Diegetic dialogue is used from different clips of conversations. A voice over is also used to explain the story line at the end but the title and details are not said.
Narrative - An open narrative to keep the audience interested in what they are seeing within the piece, they are given small amounts of information but thing are kept as cliff hangers so the audience need to watch the soap itself in order to find out what happens next. Forking paths have also been used to show lots of different story lines. The audience is introduced to a large amount of characters which could mean that too much information is given away however it could also mean that as they have met so many characters they now know that all of them have their own story lines so they will need to watch the soap to find out more.
Mise - Interior settings are used for the conversations between characters, exterior settings are used at the beginning of the trailer to show the road and the different couples in the soap outside their front doors. There is a mixed use of lighting as some scenes are quite dark and others bright even though they are the same sort of scenes. As well as this the majority of costumes that have been used have been quite dark. This gives connotations of mystery and maybe even danger.
Titles - A black screen fades on with the title and the times of the soap written on it at the end of the trailer. The text style that has been used to show the titles is just block white writing which is isn't very creative and quite plain, I think that if they had chosen a different style of text and maybe a different colour then it may draw more attention to the soap.
Sound - A non-diegetic up beat piece of background music has been used throughout the trailer which helps attract the audiences attention as well as keeping it. Diegetic
Mise - The entire trailer has used exterior settings, this shows the audience the area of which the soap is set and to show all the houses where the characters that are introduced during the trailer live. High key lighting has been used to show that it is in an exterior setting. The main character is wearing a plain black dress and bright red high heels which gives connotations of power and authority. All the other characters in the trailer are wearing normal clothes (top, jeans and coats) this shows that in comparison to the main character they are quite laid back and they are as important within the storyline. Due to the use of costumes the audience are still able to see the different characters story lines, for example the woman that is pregnant, she is on her own and even though she doesn't have any dialogue and the camera is only on her for a second you still know her situation.
Narrative - Open narrative is used within the trailer so that it gives the audience a glimpse of the story lines in the soap without giving too much away, it also give the soap a chance to introduce all the characters.
Titles - The titles are quite creative as they have used an actual street sign name and have filmed it to use as the title of the soap. They have then used smaller writing that has been put underneath so tell the audience the day and times of which the soap will be shown. Then in even smaller writing underneath the channel the soap will be shown on. The title itself - WHODDUNITTTT causes the audience to wonder anyway what the soap is going to be about and gets the audience asking a lot of questions, by doing this more people are going to want to watch the soap to see what it is all about and find the answer to the title of the soap.
Sound - Non-diegetic sci-fi type music has been used through out the trailer, you can hear a diegetic sound of beeping coming form the alarm clock in the scene. You can hear the diegetic sound of the car driving past and the doors and boot opening very quietly over the music that is playing. A voice over has been used to say the name of the soap and the times its on. Finally diegetic dialogue has been used when we see the woman in the car, the way she says it makes it suspicious and get the audience to want to watch the soap.
Mise - Interior and exterior settings have been used for this trailer, the interior settings are really dark and no lighting is used and the exterior settings have all got natural lighting. The settings include a bedroom and a country lane, props that have been used are things like a pile of pills and tablets on a table and an alarm clock. All the costumes are all dark coloured and we see boys in hoodies which creates the stereotypical teenage crime. Finally there is a body in a bin bag?
Narrative - An open narrative has been used, they have used random clips showing what is happening but it is used as a type of puzzle as things could link together but the audience can't tell if they have put it together correctly or not. The trailer doesn't give you definite answers so the audience wants to find out exactly what happens in the soap.
Camera Angles - Close ups are used to show props like the alarm clock and the tablets on the table. Black cuts have been used quite a lot to help show jump cuts to show the two figures carrying the bin bags towards the camera. A high angle shot was used to show the girl in the bed this could show the hierarchy between the girl and the figure that enters the room. A low angle shot and a panning shot have been used to show the car driving past the camera. Mid shots and close ups were used to show the bin bags and finally a close up of the girl sitting in the car to add emphasis on her being on the phone.
Titles - Titles are used all the way through the trailer to show rhetorical questions and to explain some of the story lines. Silver / white writing has been used to show the titles but nothing really creative. The trailer doesn't really show any relevance to the title of the soap. They have shown the titles and when it is going to be shown on TV and they it also says dbzs which could be the channel it will be shown on? Otherwise the trailer doesn't tell the audience what channel to watch in order to see the soap. A short clip is then shown and then at the very end of the trailer a website address is shown to help advertise the soap.
Soap Trailer Analysis
Sound - The sound that is used is a piece of non-diegetic happy music, the lyrics are all about good luck, which could give connotations that something bad it going to happen by doing this it also creates tension and the audience then want to watch the episode. At the end of the trailer a voice over comes on to explain the storyline of the trailer as well as the details of when the episode will be shown on TV.
Mise - White is the main colour that is used throughout the trailer, especially for the setting and the clothing. This gives connotations of innocence especially for the wedding dress and other props such as the cake and decorations for the wedding. The trailer has mostly an interior setting apart from at the end of the trailer and when it shows characters that are wearing black clothing, it changes to an exterior setting. Half of the characters within the trailer are waring white and half are wearing black this contrasts the emotions and feelings of the characters. Very high key lighting is used throughout the trailer.
Narrative - The trailer has an open narrative and forking paths are used. The open narrative means that the audience has no idea what is actually going to happen within the episode or storyline so it draws the audience into to watching the episode. Actions and facial expressions are used to show the change in what could happen within the story lines.
Camera Angles - Close ups are used to show the bride, this is to show her facial expressions so that it give the audience a chance to read what may happen within the episode. An establishing shot is used to show the street and some of the characters so that the audience can see the location and the characters that will be involved in the storyline. Mid shots are used on the individual characters to show their body language and facial expressions but as it is only a mid shot and not close up it shows they aren't as important as the main characters with the close ups. Extreme close ups are used on some of the props, for example the glasses, champagne, cake and the good luck props within the trailer.
Titles - The ITV1 logo is shown throughout the trailer so that the audience know exactly what channel it is going to be shown on. Good luck is written on things that are shown during the piece to help get the storyline across to the audience. At the end the soaps title is shown as well as details of when it is going to be shown on TV and who the soap is sponsored by this again shows the audience exactly when and where the episodes and storylines will be shown.
Sound - The scene starts off very quiet with no-body making any noise and then the music starts when the storyline is shown, the music is very bass which gives connotations of trouble. Sound effects are used when a number of different lights explode. A non-diegetic voice over is used at the end of the trailer to explain the storyline.
Mise - The majority of the characters within the trailer are wearing black, especially the three main characters which could give connotations of both trouble and power. It switches from interior to exterior settings to show the original characters that are already in the soap and then the new characters that are joining it. Its set in the street and the pub which are the most conventional settings within a soap. Very low level lighting is used to build up the tension for the audience.
Narrative - Every things quiet until the car turns the corner which is when the storyline is put into place. Open narrative is used so that the audience are left to think about what could happen next in the storyline and what the episode is going to be like. The new characters look as though they own the place which again builds up the tenion for the audience and keeps the narrative open. The first 3 steps of Todorovs narrative theory are used within the trailer.
Camera Angles - Mid shots and two shots are used to show the different characters within the trailer. Close ups are then used on a large amount of the charatcers as the storyline is revealed to show the audience their facial expressions. An establishing shot is used to show the new characters arrive in the trailer. Close ups are then used on the individual new characters.
Titles - The soaps title is shown at the very end of the trailer so that it is fresh in the audiences minds and they can then remember which soap to watch in order to see the storyline. Coming soon is also shown which shows that the particular storyline is going to spread over a number of episodes instead of just one.
TRAM CRASH
Sound - You can see people talking but you can't hear them. Non - diegetic sound is used throughout the trailer. Happy music is played and at sudden moments non - diegetic sounds of sirens are played over the top. The music and sound effects are played at the same time to layer it and cause more dramatic tension for the audience. The trailer uses juxtaposition as the music stops the sirens carry on.
Mise - One of the characters is wearing a red coat which gives connotations of danger. Low key lighting is used in the short clips of the fire station and high level lighting on the street. All the settings are verisimilitude so that the audience can see how the episodes are going to portray real life. When the street and characters are shown it is all exterior settings but the fire station is all interior, this shows the difference in the emotions and the panic and rush that is caused.
Todorovs theory.
Camera Angles - Low angle shots are used at the beginning to show the characters emotions. Loads of two shots are used to show the characters throughout the trailer. Close ups are used to show the inside of the fire station which builds up the tension for the audience. Mid shots are used to show the characters, this then helps the audience to see their body language as well as their facial expressions. A panning shot is used to show the title of the soap.
Titles - The titles shown at the end of the trailer. All of the information is also shown at the end such as the date and time that the particular episode is going to be shown, this means that the audience have all of the details that they need to watch the episode.
Sound - High pitched non-diegetic music is played, it sounds mystical, western music then starts to play. Every now and again there is diegetic sound of dialogue from various different characters. Sound effects of blinds, footsteps and the signs moving are used. At the end there is actual dialogue. The soaps jingle and voice over that is telling the storyline is played. Due to the use of sound within this trailer the tension is built up really well, the audience get completely drawn into the trailer and then want to watch the episode itself.
Mise - An exterior setting is used as well as a western theme. All of the costumes that are used are all black and brown to go with the western theme of the trailer. Quite low lighting is used but at times high level lighting is used. The scene is meant to look deserted, this is so that the audience wonder where all the other characters are and what exactly the episode is going to be about.
Narrative - Open narrative is used so that the audience don't know what is going to happen within the trailer and therefore want to watch the episode itself.. It tells you the storyline is going to be spread across the time period of a week by the use of the titles, but it doesn't really tell you exactly what the storyline is going to be. Todorovs first two parts of the theory are used.
Camera angles - Mostly close ups are used to show the characters emotions, facial expressions and body movements. The tracking shot is used to follow the foot steps of the main character. The tilt shot is used to reveal the characters. Shot reverse shot is used when in conversation at the same time as the soaps jingle is played.
Titles - The soaps title has been changed to go with the western theme of the trailer. It is shown at the end of the trailer. The soaps details are shown of when it is going to be on TV and the channels logo.
Sound - High pitched non-diegetic music is played from the start of the trailer. This gives connotations of fear and anxiety. It creeps the audience out. Juxtaposition is used as the music is something that could be used to show a child's jewelry box and that would be seen by the audience as being sweet, but the way it has been used in this it scares the audience. Sound effects of the robot arms are used. Voice over is used to tell the audience about the storyline at the end of the trailer.
Mise - A black room is used for the setting, its really big which helps the echo of the robot arms moving. Wedding themed costumes which means that the wedding dress is white giving connotations of innocence. The use of white costumes in a black setting really builds up tension for the audience and also gives connotations of danger and worry. The make up that is used at the end of the trailer to make her look like a doll. It has an interior setting and low level lighting is used in the room but strobe lighting is used to highlight the characters.
Narrative - An open narrative is used within the trailer so that the audience don't know what is going to happen within the storyline and then want to watch the episode. From the use of the titles and the way the trailer is shown it looks like the storyline is going to be shown in one episode.
Camera angles - Long shots are used to show the characters this is so that the audience can see the use of costumes and body language. A high angle shot is used to show the hierarchy between the two characters. Close ups are used to show things being taken off of the dress. At the end of the trailer an extreme close up is used on Peggy's eye to build up extreme tension for the audience.
Titles - The BBC1 logo is shown at the start of the trailer. The details of the soap are shown at the very end, by showing the details of the soap at the end of the trailer the audience know exactly when and what channel the storyline and episode will be shown.
Mise - Dark coloured clothing, and low lighting in the scene apart from the bright Christmas lights. There's lots of red props and costumes like Christmas hat, gives connotations of danger and anger. the trailer goes from colour to black and white.
Narrative - Open Narrative, it also has a fractured narrative which intrigues the audience as they are given a lot of information within the trailer which could mean a variety of different things, making the audience think and want to watch the episode where the storyline will be revealed and forking paths are also used. It includes Todorov's theory using the first two steps out of the five.
Camera Angles - A lot of mid close ups are used and then it goes to close ups of the characters. Two shots are used to show all the different families, this means that the audience doesn't get confused of who the charatcers are and the importance of them.
Titles - BBC1 is kept at the bottom of the trailer all the way through. The name of the soap is shown at the end of the trailer. - Voice over is used to help make the audience aware of the titles.
Sound - Non-diegetic sound is used. The trailer uses juxtaposition as happy Christmas music is played which then turns to silence when the storyline is revealed. The soaps jingle is played at the end of the trailer as well as a low drone sound effect.
Sound - Voice overs are used for a narrator to explain the storyline during the trailer. Diegetic dialogue is used of the characters taken from the story lined episodes. Non-diegetic music of a middle key is played in the background.
Mise - An interior setting is used so that the audience can see the location of the storyline. Dark colours are used for both the costumes and the settings which gives connotations of danger and worry. Props like flowers, phones and credit cards are all shown in a negative light.
Narrative - An open narrative is used to pull the audience into the storyline and then make them want to watch the episode. A montage has been used to introduce the characters into the storyline. Todorov's first three steps of his theory are shown during the trailer.
Camera angles - Extreme close ups are used to show props used in the trailer this then shows the audience the importance of certain props in comparison to others.. A large number of tilts are used to go from the prop upwards to reveal the characters. Close ups and mid shots are used to show the characters throughout the trailer. And finally a shot reverse shot is used to show the different conversations.
Titles - The ITV1 logo is shown during the whole trailer to keep the audience aware of what channel the soap is going to be shown on. The soaps title and details of when the episode is going to be shown at the end of the trailer.
Sound - Non-diegetic high pitched piano music is played which then has a sci-fi twist, as the storyline starts to show the music goes techno and sound effects of the car door are used. Diegetic sounds of the fire and the fire engines are used. Non-diegetic dialogue of people shouting names. The sound effects of explosions and screaming are used at the very end of the trailer.
Mise - Low key lighting is used which gives connotations of danger and fear. The character is wearing a dark coat to give connotations danger and mystery. The car and then all the things to cause the fire are used as props during the trailer. The characters face isn't shown. A silhouette of the character is shown in front of a spotlight. An exterior setting is used. The huge fire and emergency vehicles are also used to show the extent of the storyline. Some of the props are a petrol can, a lighter, a cloth covered in petrol and a pile of rubbish, all of which contribute to the making of the fire.
Camera angles - Transitions of fading in and out of each prop and movements. A tilt is used downwards from the car to the feet emerging out of the car to the floor. Close ups are used on all of the props to do with the fire, an high angle shot is used to show the main character walking towards the house. Mid shots and low shots are used to show the character walking towards the camera. Jumps cuts are used during the trailer. A crane shot is used at the end of the trailer.
Narrative - The trailer has an open narrative so that the audience want to watch the actual episode, and forking paths are also used. Todorov's first three steps of his theory are shown in the trailer.
Titles - The soaps title is shown over the top of the scene at the very end. It then goes black and to go with the sound effects of the explosion it blinks in and out. Details of when the episode is shown and the channel are also shown.
Sound - Non-diegetic music is played made up of violins. Diegetic dialogue of the characters in the pub. Non-diegetic sound effects of heavy breathing. Diegetic sounds of a car speeding up and smashing into the other car is used. Music changes to have mainly drums in it. We hear the diegetic sound of the train and then the non-diegetic sound effects of the trains horn and a car smashing. Voice overs are used at the end of the trailer to explain the storyline.
Narrative - An open narrative is used. The audience doesn't know who is in the car or how the crashes have happened in the first place. By having this the audience then want to find out more and then they watch the epiosde to fid these pieces of information out. Todorov's first three parts of the theory are shown in the trailer.
Mise - Low key lighting is used which gives connotations of mystery and worry. The interior settings are shown as being happy, fun and you can hear laughing, then the exterior settings are shown as being scary, dangerous and you can hear heavy breathing. You have two different crashes within the trailer, the car crash followed by the tram crash. The characters are all wearing coloured clothing which gives the audience connotations of happiness and the crash is very unexpected in the story line.
Camera angles - Backwards tracking is used to follow the running looking at it from the front. Two shots are used to show the group and conversations as well as an over shoulder shot. Close ups are used to show the crashes. Crane shot to show the car on the train tracks. Tracking to mid shot is used on the character running one after the other. A close up of the train coming towards the camera has also been used.
Titles - The ITV1 logo is shown during the whole trailer. Transitions of fading to black which then show titles explaining the storyline. (Three of these are used.) The soaps title and details of when the episode will be shown at the very end.
Sound – During this trailer only non-diegetic sound has been used, upbeat music has been used that also has vocals within it. The music also has a drum beat that gives connotations of a warning and trouble.
Mise – All the costumes that have been used for this trailer are really colourful, they look very glamorous, all the girls wearing high heels and the men all wearing posh black shoes. The make up is also very bright including bright lipstick for the girls giving connotations of power. The trailer it all set in interior settings and the dressing rooms, make up areas and behind the actual soap set is used to film the trailer. Strobe lighting has been used within the trailer as well as a spot light effect to draw attention to individual characters, overall high key lighting is used during the trailer.
Camera Angles – Mid shots and long shots have been used to introduce the characters that are already part of the soap and close ups and mid shots as well as a panning shot to reveal the new characters coming onto the set of the soap. Close ups are also used to look closely at individual props and make up being done, this also helps to show facial expressions and emotions.
Narrative – The trailer has an open narrative as well as an linear narrative, it gives the audience an insight to lots of different story lines. It tells the audience that new characters are being introduced into the soap but it doesn’t tell you who they are, what type of characters they are or what part they play.
Titles – Near the end of the trailer a black transition has been used to show a sentence saying ‘check out the new talent’ it’s a creative title as it is animated so that it shines as it is revealed from left to right of the screen. At the end of the trailer the channel 4 logo appears telling you the name of the soap and when the soap is on.
Titles - The titles are used during the trailer to explain the different characters and relationships. They go with the type of soap as well as the storyline they have done this by taking the majority of settings within the soap being on the beach the titles look like they are waves and water. The storyline is about a murder which looks as though it was done on the beach so the titles also go with it in that way. Who killed Sam? as a title used in the trailer instantly draws the audience into want to watch the soap as well as titles near the end using words like revenge, blackmail and jealousy.
Mise - A mix of interior and exterior settings have been used within the trailer, a church and house are interior settings and the beach and the use of underwater filming is the exterior settings. Natural lighting is used during the trailer but a mix of light and dark scenes as well as it being set during the day and the night. Some of the props that were used include a body bag, maps, cuts and diving kits. They also have things like ambulances, police cars and sped boats all of which add to the storyline making it more verisimilitude.
Narrative - Some of the themes that are shown in the trailer are: murder, weddings, arguments, love and hate. An open narrative has been used so that the audience gets an idea of what is going to happen in the soap without too much being given away. The trailer gets the audience thinking as well as it introducing a large number of characters.
Camera Angles - During conversations close ups are used to show the characters emotions and facial expressions. Mid shots are used when clips from the weddings are shown and a long shot is used to show the beach and police carrying the body bag, by having a mid shot it allows the audience to see the body language and the long shot helps the audience to see the scene from a characters point of view and so that you can see more than one character and the whole situation. Over the shoulder shots are used during conversations so that the audience can see the conversation and feel that they are a part of it. Near the end of the trailer fast jump cuts are used to switch from one character to another and to introduce more characters into the trailer at the last minute to help draw the audience in even more.
Sound - Non diegetic voice overs are used to say the wedding vows over the clips of the wedding. Diegetic conversations are through out the trailer using very raised voices give connotations of anger. Sound bridges have been used to go from one scene to another like a kind of gun shot which also goes with the storyline of murder. Diegetic dialogue is used by the characters during the trailer, as well as a non diegetic voice over through out the entire trailer explaining the storyline ans introducing the characters. Non diegetic music starts to play half way through the trailer which sounds quite high pitched and as though it is a choir. The music is heard over the dialogue and even the voice overs. The voice over that is used to introduce the characters for example 'the friend' and 'the husband' is said in a scary whisper to help build the atmosphere for the trailer, it also goes really well with the storyline. The voice over gives away more about the storyline than what the audience can actually see.
Titles – Titles have been used through out the entire trailer, by doing this is gives clues to the audience about the story lines as well as showing individual characters, emotions. They have done this by taking a positive and then turning it to a negative. They have used bold white text to show the positive of the sentence and to show the negative side it changes to a bold purple text. At the end of the trailer it shows the channels logo and the name if the soap.
Narrative – This trailer has an open narrative, it also uses Todorovs’s narrative theory, the first three steps of having a state of equilibrium, then having a disruption and then recognising that there has been a disruption. The trailer shows the happiness of the storyline and then switches to the titles and then goes back to the storyline but by showing the negative side instead.
Sound – All the sound that has been used within this trailer is non-diegetic music. The music is playing during the whole trailer, its piano based which gives a sense of a mutual atmosphere. The music is quite slow but has a constant beat to give connotations of upset or even anger.
Mise – The majority of the trailer is filmed in black and white which resembles the positive and then purple is used to highlight the character or prop that is causing the storyline to turn negative. The purple also goes with the theme used with the titles. The trailer is all set in exterior settings this helps to go from one storyline to another it also helps the flow of the trailer. Because the trailer is filmed in black and white you can’t tell what colour costumes have been as well as not being able to see the type of lighting.
Camera Angles – Mid shots and long shots are both used to show the positive characters and the positive half of the storyline that is showed. But mid shots and close ups are used to show the negative sides to the story lines. A panning shot has been used to show the setting and to reveal other characters into the scene. Over the shoulder shots have been used as well as the 180 degrees rule. The over shoulder shot helps to portray conversations and to show eye contact between characters and the 180 degree rule stops the audience getting confused about where the camera is placed.
Soap Opera Trailers Target Audience
As a group we have looked at the different demographic groups that we could aim our soap opera trailer at as well as the times we would want to show it on TV.
The people who would be watching out soap opera trailers at the time that most soap opera are shown on TV would be people that work during the day and watch TV during the evening. The trailer would be shown during the adverts between other soap operas so the people who would see it would be people who regularly watch soaps. They would be of all ages as it would be shown before the watershed.
The demographic groups that would be watching this would be any from B and below, working class, lower class, students and people of which are unemployed.
The soap trailers target audience would most probably be people from the ages of 16 to 60 as soap opera normally appeal to everyone.
The trailer would be shown either side or in the middle of the other soaps that are shown on the TV channel, within the adverts.
If the trailer wasn't shown at the same time other soaps are on the TV then the target audience may not see it. If it was shown during the day or late at night then the people who watch soaps already wont see it and it may not appeal to other audience members at other times of the day.
The people who would be watching out soap opera trailers at the time that most soap opera are shown on TV would be people that work during the day and watch TV during the evening. The trailer would be shown during the adverts between other soap operas so the people who would see it would be people who regularly watch soaps. They would be of all ages as it would be shown before the watershed.
The demographic groups that would be watching this would be any from B and below, working class, lower class, students and people of which are unemployed.
The soap trailers target audience would most probably be people from the ages of 16 to 60 as soap opera normally appeal to everyone.
The trailer would be shown either side or in the middle of the other soaps that are shown on the TV channel, within the adverts.
If the trailer wasn't shown at the same time other soaps are on the TV then the target audience may not see it. If it was shown during the day or late at night then the people who watch soaps already wont see it and it may not appeal to other audience members at other times of the day.
Soap Opera Trailer Timings
After watching a large amount of TV I have only seen three soap opera trailers and all of them were for Eastenders. I have watched the same amount of the channel BBC1 to what i have for ITV1 and it seems to be that BBC1 uses trailers a lot more to advertise there soaps.
All the trailers that are for soaps that are on sites like youtube seem to have a majority of christmas ones. The soaps only bring out trailers when a huge storyline is going to be shown and the biggest ones are set at christmas time. This means that during the year not that many are brought out.
The Eastenders trailers that I have seen on TV were on at 9:00, 10:30 and 7:00 all on completely different days and different trailers.
BBC 1
7pm - An Eastenders Trailer - Total Wipe Out
- Doctor Who
10:30pm - An Eastenders Trailer - BBC weekend news
- Ghost Train (film)
9:30pm - An Eastenders Trailer - Miranda (comedy)
- BBC news at ten
The other programmes that are listed on here after Eastenders are the ones that were shown on TV before and after the trailer.
By doing this research it has given me insight into what times I would show my own soap opera trailer in order to attract my target audience. Most people watch the news so that is a good program to show my trailer either side of, another time that is good show soap opera trailers is at dinner time when families are sitting down to watch TV with their dinner. I think that from this research I would show the trailer between half past 6 and 9 o'clock as that is when my target audience is most likely to be watching the TV. This research will also help me to decide exactly which demographic groups would best suit my soap opera.
The Purpose Of A Trailer
I have looked into why media texts use trailers and what they achieve by doing so and I have found a number of different things out about them.
Soap Opera's, Films and other media texts all use trailers in order to:
The trailer has to have an open narrative otherwise it will give away too much about the story lines, characters and the soap which means that the audience don't even have to watch the soap to find out the endings to things or any other information. A lot of soap opera trailers use cliff hangers so that the audience see the start of something but they need to watch the soap to find out the ending, the audience are normally introduced to a number of characters in the trailer so that they know who is going to be involved in the storyline. By doing all of this the audience are drawn into the soap and then the soap gets more viewings when it is shown on TV.
By doing this research I will know how to set the trailer out when editing it and the content that it will have to include. Although my trailer won't actually be shown on the TV I know that it has to be shown a particular way to draw the audiences attention and get my target audience to watch it. I also know that most soaps are shown before the watershed so the soap itself as well as the trailer has to be suitable for all age groups that may be watching the TV at the time the trailer would be shown.
Soap Opera's, Films and other media texts all use trailers in order to:
- Attract people to watch or use the text - especially their target audiences and even attract new people to use them as well.
- It shows the audience the dates and times of which it is on or when it is released, this means that the audience know all the information they need and are then able to use or watch the media texts.
- To engage all the viewers with the new story lines as well as current ones.
- To encourage the viewers to watch that particular episode.
- To give a preview of what is going to happen in the text.
- Overall to advertise the soap.
The trailer has to have an open narrative otherwise it will give away too much about the story lines, characters and the soap which means that the audience don't even have to watch the soap to find out the endings to things or any other information. A lot of soap opera trailers use cliff hangers so that the audience see the start of something but they need to watch the soap to find out the ending, the audience are normally introduced to a number of characters in the trailer so that they know who is going to be involved in the storyline. By doing all of this the audience are drawn into the soap and then the soap gets more viewings when it is shown on TV.
By doing this research I will know how to set the trailer out when editing it and the content that it will have to include. Although my trailer won't actually be shown on the TV I know that it has to be shown a particular way to draw the audiences attention and get my target audience to watch it. I also know that most soaps are shown before the watershed so the soap itself as well as the trailer has to be suitable for all age groups that may be watching the TV at the time the trailer would be shown.
Soap Opera History
Why soap operas are called soap operas -
In the 1920's radio was going really well and broad casts wanted to get advertisements in to increase profits Radio stations got businesses who sold house hold goods to sponsor the radio shows. They were to appeal to female homemakers. All the networks had serials aimed at women and companies selling cleaning products wanted to sponsor the shows. In 1939 the press started to call the shows 'soap opera' as so many of them were sponsored by soap manufactures. - This information was taken from here - http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Soap-Opera-History
What the longest running soap is -
Eastenders = 19th February 1985 = 26 years
Emmerdale = 16th October 1972 = 39 years
Coronation Street = 9th December 1960 - 51 years
The Arches = 1st January 1951 = 60 years
- The Arches is the longest running British soap opera.
All of this information was taken from the soaps own websites.
The pictures that I have used show the different in the logo that were used for the soaps when they were first broadcast to the present day.
Key conventions found in British soap opera -
- there on every week
- they have the same times and days of which they are on each week
- each one is set in the same locations
These are pictures of the pubs used in Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Most watched episodes according to BARB figures -
Eastenders = 8.98 million
Coronation Street = 8.86 million
Emmerdale = 7.01 million
Casualty = 5.64 million
Holby City = 5.41 million
Neighbours = 1.37 million
Home and Away = 1.03 million
Most popular characters and story lines -
Eastenders =
- Phil Mitchell
- Ian Beale
- Sharon Watts
- Grant Mitchell
- Pauline Fowler
This is Phil Mitchell.
Coronation Street =
- The McDonald Family
- Sean Tully
- Raquel Watts
- Den Watts
This is the McDonald family.
Emmerdale =
- The Dingle Family
- Diane Sugden
This is the Dingle family.
Any Other information -
BBC 1 gets a weekly reach of 47,817 000's = 83.3%
ITV gets a weekly reach of 37,961 000's = 66.2%
Channel 4 gets a weekly reach of 35,262 000's = 61.5%
Channel 5 gets a weekly reach of 26,261 000's = 45.8%
In the 1920's radio was going really well and broad casts wanted to get advertisements in to increase profits Radio stations got businesses who sold house hold goods to sponsor the radio shows. They were to appeal to female homemakers. All the networks had serials aimed at women and companies selling cleaning products wanted to sponsor the shows. In 1939 the press started to call the shows 'soap opera' as so many of them were sponsored by soap manufactures. - This information was taken from here - http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Soap-Opera-History
What the longest running soap is -
Eastenders = 19th February 1985 = 26 years
Emmerdale = 16th October 1972 = 39 years
Coronation Street = 9th December 1960 - 51 years
The Arches = 1st January 1951 = 60 years
- The Arches is the longest running British soap opera.
All of this information was taken from the soaps own websites.
The pictures that I have used show the different in the logo that were used for the soaps when they were first broadcast to the present day.
Key conventions found in British soap opera -
- there on every week
- they have the same times and days of which they are on each week
- each one is set in the same locations
These are pictures of the pubs used in Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.Most watched episodes according to BARB figures -
Eastenders = 8.98 million
Coronation Street = 8.86 million
Emmerdale = 7.01 million
Casualty = 5.64 million
Holby City = 5.41 million
Neighbours = 1.37 million
Home and Away = 1.03 million
Most popular characters and story lines -
Eastenders =
- Phil Mitchell
- Ian Beale
- Sharon Watts
- Grant Mitchell
- Pauline Fowler
Coronation Street =
- The McDonald Family
- Sean Tully
- Raquel Watts
- Den Watts
This is the McDonald family.
Emmerdale =
- The Dingle Family
- Diane Sugden
Any Other information -
BBC 1 gets a weekly reach of 47,817 000's = 83.3%
ITV gets a weekly reach of 37,961 000's = 66.2%
Channel 4 gets a weekly reach of 35,262 000's = 61.5%
Channel 5 gets a weekly reach of 26,261 000's = 45.8%
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Real Media Texts - Compararison of Soap Opera Episodes
Scenes. Coronation Street – 15 Emmerdale – 15 Holyoaks – 22 Eastenders – 24 | Settings. Coronation Street – Pubs, houses, streets and shops. Emmerdale – Pubs, houses, farms and café. Holyoaks – Houses, streets and the beach. Eastenders – Streets, house and café. |
Characters. Coronation Street – 20 Emmerdale – 22 Holyoaks – 22 Eastenders – 24 | |
Types of Characters.
Hollyoaks = within Hollyoaks there are a variety of different types of teenagers. The majority of the girls within the programme are very stereotypical. They are mostly worrying about there weight and what they look like. You find that there are a lot of relationships and a lot of paranoia within the different friendships groups and relationships.
Eastenders = a stereotypical house wife is shown who has slight paranoia about the whereabouts of her husband. There are a lot of families in the soap that are all very opinionated as well as what’s seen to be angry teenagers.
Coronation street = the majority of the characters are middle aged or older. All the characters love to gossip and spread information about what’s going on in each others lives. The soap also has a lot of families as well.
Emmerdale = Emmerdale has a mixture of different classes within the soap. For example Ella, Mia and Declan are the very upper class and the lower class is families like the Dingle family. The upper class characters are seen to be going to hotels, business meetings, running their own businesses and owning large houses. The lower class characters spend most of the time in the local pub and working in the businesses that the upper class characters own.
All four soaps have a range of age groups within the characters and all have a lot of families as well. Out of the four soaps that were watched to do this only one tackles and shows disability in its characters and two soaps show homosexuality.
Storylines.
Hollyoaks = Hidden secrets between best friends and boyfriends. Love triangles, love affairs between best friend and boyfriend, and a cheating boyfriend.
Eastenders = It is evident that the mother of one of the characters in the first scene is not happy with homosexual relations and does not accept homosexuals. This is a paranoid wife on one of the scene doing some washing which looks to be men’s clothing, she seems suspicious, and her paranoia could foreshadow an affair later on in the series. The character ‘Billy’ talks about crime therefore we know that in previous episodes something along the lines has happened. It is also evident that there has been some sort of social service adoption involved, with putting up a child for adoption and as this episode is a ‘fathers day’ special we see that the father wants to
‘find’ his child.
Coronation street = A male character’s family finds out that he has fathered a child in an affair. A couple of homosexual girls struggle to deal with the emotions with their relationship. A couple face problems in their marriage when they face getting there child taken away, all they want is to make a family. A woman my have to pay the price for her husbands murderous crimes.
From watching an episode from four different soaps we have seen that there are usually a lot of characters to be seen to create a neighbour hood, they are also used because as it is a soap there is not only one narrative, we see everything from different perspectives, otherwise it wouldn’t meet the specifications of a soap. There are certain locations and settings that are used in all soaps which include houses on the streets of the neighbourhood and inside shops and cafes, we will be taking this into consideration when making our soap opera. There is usually a lot of conflict and confrontation, this makes the soap interesting and keeps the viewers interested. A good plot would bring a bigger audience otherwise people would not want to watch as it would be boring. In most soap opera’s there is some sort of ‘affair’ or ‘betrayal’ happening perhaps to reflect on the viewers lives, this could relate to some of the viewer to make them watch or just catch a viewer as it is not something that is expected in everyday life. There also seems to be a lot of secrecy in soaps which could make the audience more involved as one of the characters on the show will not know what is happening but the viewers will. Overall from seeing all of these comparisons in four different soaps we know the type of things will we want and what we should include in our own soap.
Soap Opera Whole Episode Analysis
Coronation street
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URL:http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=252020&module=carousel&title=coronation-street&referrer=home&item=3
Number of Characters in the episode - 20
Types of characters: There is a range of different ages within the characters as well as characters that have been on the programme for years and quite new characters. The majority of the characters are shown as middle class, some characters own the pub or there own businesses which could show them as upper class but they aren't stereotypically shown as upper class in the way they act.
Setting: Houses, pub, cafe, shops, factory and the street.
Scenes in an episode – 15
Story lines evident:
War of the Websters, Sophie andSian 's romance, Toxic Tracy, Steve and Becky's Baby Plight, John's Double Life and Leanne's Love Triangle.
Other: Disability is shown with the character of Izzy as she is a regular cast member in a wheel chair.
Emmerdale
URL: http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=248748
Number of characters: 22
Types of characters: There is a wide variety of characters within emmerdale, all the different classes are shown for example the Dingles as lower class, to the Macey family as the upper class.
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Setting: The local pub has the regular customers, all characters that are in the episode are all filmed in the pub at one point within the episode.
The other main settings are the local farms, the characters house and the cafe.
Number of scenes: 15
Story lines evident: Affair between Ella and her daughters boyfriend, the helped suicide ofJackson
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Other:
There is a mix of classes for example - Ella, Mia and Declan are the very upper class and the lower class are the Dingle family.
The upper class characters = Going to hotels, business meetings, running there own businesses and owning a large house.
The lower class characters = Going to the local pub and working in the businesses that are owned by the upper class.
Number of Characters in the episode - 20
Types of characters: There is a range of different ages within the characters as well as characters that have been on the programme for years and quite new characters. The majority of the characters are shown as middle class, some characters own the pub or there own businesses which could show them as upper class but they aren't stereotypically shown as upper class in the way they act.
Setting: Houses, pub, cafe, shops, factory and the street.
Scenes in an episode – 15
Story lines evident:
War of the Websters, Sophie and
Other: Disability is shown with the character of Izzy as she is a regular cast member in a wheel chair.
Emmerdale
URL: http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=248748
Number of characters: 22
Types of characters: There is a wide variety of characters within emmerdale, all the different classes are shown for example the Dingles as lower class, to the Macey family as the upper class.
The other main settings are the local farms, the characters house and the cafe.
Number of scenes: 15
Story lines evident: Affair between Ella and her daughters boyfriend, the helped suicide of
Other:
There is a mix of classes for example - Ella, Mia and Declan are the very upper class and the lower class are the Dingle family.
The upper class characters = Going to hotels, business meetings, running there own businesses and owning a large house.
The lower class characters = Going to the local pub and working in the businesses that are owned by the upper class.
I have done this research in order to find out exactly what an full soap opera episode includes, I have looked at the number of characters, their personalities and what they are like, the settings that are used within the episodes, the number of scenes and the story lines that are evident. Now that I have an idea of what is in a whole soap opera episode I will be able to look at what I should include in just the trailer.
Specific Knowledge of Soaps
Easterners, Emmerdale and Coronation street all have things in common, they all have a range of different ethnic groups within the characters, for example Easterners - Fat boy and Mercy. Coronation Street - Dev's family and Emmerdale - Jai and Nikhil. All three of them portray the different genders equally as well as having a range of age groups.
Soaps Overall
Main settings in all soaps =
Coronation Street
Eastenders
Emmerdale
They all have a number of different types of families, but you will find that all soaps are like with the families.
Rich and Poor families.
Big and Small families.
Major and Minor families.
But in all soaps it is the same.
Soaps Overall
Main settings in all soaps =
- Cafe
- Pub
- Corner Shop
- Local Businesses
Coronation Street
- Knickers Factory
- Hairdressers
Eastenders
- Boxing club
- Laundrette
- Restaurant
Emmerdale
- Factory
- The kings business
- Vets
They all have a number of different types of families, but you will find that all soaps are like with the families.
Rich and Poor families.
Big and Small families.
Major and Minor families.
But in all soaps it is the same.
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