2. Over the
Multiple shoulder shots
storylines Extreme close ups
Multiple main POV shots
characters
¾ of storylines
shown in Shot on a set
trailers
Regular conflict Camera as fourth
and wall
Blue filters Not much make
disequilibrium
over camera up/ casual clothes
lens – dull and
realistic
atmosphere

3. In my soap trailer research, I looked at Made in Chelsea as
the genre of my soap is the same as Made in Chelsea’s
(realistic soap opera – Doccu-soap that creates a constructed
reality). This is where the camera follows the lives of a group
of real people and make a narrative out of there every day
lives.
Some conventions for this genre include:
• No scripts
• Large cast that know each other, friends, that live in the
same area
• No characters
• No costume
• No storylines
• People with different characteristics
• Unique people/lifestyles

4. USE – The composition of the three-shot in my trailer is the same as
in Made in Chelsea as is the gender of the characters and the fact that
it is two girls giving their male friend advice.
Develop - The scene differs as the shot in Made in Chelsea is a low
angle shot, mine is from eye level to give this represents the
audience being sat in the same room as the characters.
Challenge – The storyline, of Gary being scared to tell his
homophobic brother that he’s gay, is unconventional for the genre of
my soap. I think it works as the audience could relate to the situation.

5. USE - The over the shoulder shot of the two best friends talking is
conventional for soaps and is why I included this shot in my trailer.
Develop – The scene is different as the locations in the shots aren’t
the same. Both are conventional for soaps, as they are realistic places
where people have conversations.
Challenge - The relationships between the two different sets of
friends is different as, my soap, Roche is seeing Paris’ boyfriend
behind her best friends back. This is a common storyline but as it
keeps the audience tuning into to see whether the cheat is caught.

6. USE - Dates are frequently used in real life soaps as the cover the
popular topic of romance and is why I used this two shot it in my
trailer.
Develop - The timing of the date differs as it isn’t an evening date, its
more informal during the day. This could represent the casualness in the
couples relationship.
Challenge - The scenes differ as the audience knows that Spencer is
two-timing his girlfriend which can create “bad-guy” stereotypes for
Spencer.

7. USE – Lads having bets and forfeits is common for this genre and is also
included in my trailer as it adds humour to make the show entertaining.
Develop – The narrative varies as the reason for Downton having to
wear a dress isn’t made clear to the audience as it’s a trailer trying to
persuade people to watch and find out why.
Challenge – The fact that Downton has to wear a dress is quite an
unconventional forfeit. This again adds humour and could represent
the how different the humour that the characters are.

8. USE – Title cards are conventional in trailers, especially new shows, as
it informs viewers on what the shows about and its topics.
Develop – My title card sequence differs as the words aren’t
spoken/heard as the appear. No voice over. This brings more focus on
the images of the trailer, demanding the viewers full attention.
Challenge – My title cards challenge the convention as they are edited
consecutively, but aren’t that fast paced. This is so the words are clear
to read.

9. The mise en scene, in particular the costume of
Gary, challenges conventions as Gary is dressed
as a stereotypical gay man, yet his own brother
doesn’t knows he is gay.
This adds an element of humour
and connotes a lack of
intelligence that the characters
have which is conventional for
the genre, but also develops a
relationship with the audience as
they know what the rest of the
cast don’t.
Having a homosexual character is
conventional for the genre as TOWIE
has Harry and Made in Chelsea has
Ollie.

10. We also used mainly natural lighting to
give a realistic feel to the soap.
Other soaps such as Coronation Street
and Eastenders place coloured lens’
over the cameras to give a gritty, dull
look to the cinematography which
represents the overall feelings of those
soaps.
However, we used high key lighting in
the scene with Gary, Paris and Roche as
it is a use of pathetic fallacy as connotes
that good will come of Gary telling his
brother that he is gay.

11. The clips of Roche and Paris doing
their make up and getting ready to
go out is a conventional scene for
this kind of soap as it shows the
vanity of the characters and what
they value in their lives.
The fast cuts with the fast beat of
the soundtrack make the simple
actions much more effective as
they increase the pace of the
trailer to make it more enticing
and entertaining.

12. We gave our characters unique names that are
stereotypical for the genre and the lifestyles that are lived.
Paris, Roche, Spencer, Downton, Charlton and Gary aren’t
your typical names and therefore match the genre well.
We also matched the personalities of each person with the
stereotypical characteristics that are seen in similar shows
such as Made in Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex.

13. PARIS
• Fashion designer
• In a relationship with Spencer
• Best friends with Roche and Gary
• Boxer
SPENCER
• In a relationship with Paris
• Secretly seeing Roche
• Similar to Mark out of TOWIE
ROCHE
• Model
• Secretly seeing Spencer
• Best friends with Paris and
Gary

14. GARY
• Gay but in denial, can’t cope
• Scared to tell homophobic brother – Charlton
• Best friends with Paris and Roche
• Similar to ‘Harry’ out of TOWIE
CHARLTON
• Homophobe
• Gary’s brother
• Best friends with Downton and Spencer
DOWNTON
• Joker
• Best friends with Spencer and Charlton
• Was going out with Paris
• Similar to Jamie out of Made In Chelsea