This document provides an analysis of two soap opera trailers: Hollyoaks and EastEnders. For each trailer, the analysis examines the verbal codes of dialogue and soundtrack, non-verbal codes of setting, lighting, costumes and expressions, and technical codes of camera angles and shots. Strengths identified for exploitation include diegetic sounds in Hollyoaks that build intrigue, and upbeat soundtracks in EastEnders that emphasize drama. Repeated strengths would be quick cuts in Hollyoaks and happy music/end text in EastEnders that create interest and want to watch. Minimal locations, costumes/props and lack of voiceovers allow clear narratives for audiences to interpret.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name:Imani Ayimba Golding
Candidate Number:1012
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number:
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Hollyoaks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAE0V4ExSWo
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack.
The use of the non diegetic soundtrack in this trailer:
By using an upbeat track it connotes irony because the trailer reflects much more serious, depressing situations
that about to occur. The soundtrack does not make verbal reference as the track contains no lyrics. This means the
viewers are able to concentrate purely on the dialogue of the characters that is given. "Tim isn't a murderer”- this is
the opening dialogue of the trailer. The verbal code murderer is gripping and creates tension for the viewers.
When the one character reveals “she's not my sister” the soundtrack cuts out fairly sharply and shows an old man
in a car who goes on to say "lets go and cause some mischief”. There is also some diegetic sound effects that are
important to the trailer. For example there is the sirens, which connote that there is danger and as such contradicts
the soundtrack that suggests everything is good. The Volume of the diegetic sirens are louder then the music, and
is sudden- which may foreshadow the element of shock. Although there is a soundtrack throughout the whole
trailer it changes half way through to show a build up of tension. It cuts to a more fast paced track. This represents
the change in attitude of the characters and how the storyline is now much more intense. The trailer ends with a
character breaking the fourth wall. He turns to the camera and says “ahh did you miss me” The connotations of this
imply that he may play a major role in the up and coming soap, giving the audience insight into key players.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters (Propp’s character roles).
The non-verbal code of the Lighting is high key and warm during most of the trailer. This is ironic as most of the situations that are
shown are either upsetting or angry. This contrast could show expectation verses reality and how life is not always a simple or bright as
it may seem on the outside. As the sirens come in and it shows characters doing wrong (kissing someone they shouldn’t) there are
scenes with low key lighting, rushed movements and guilty faced characters. When it pictures the girl and boy suffering from cancer,
the mise en scene is very contrasting of how a typical audience would expect to see a cancer patient. The room is bright and colourful
and the expressions on they're faces are cheerful. The clothing of the people on the street is quite casual and stereotypical according
to age group and gender. For example, the old woman at the beginning is wearing a long skirt, which connotes comfort and elder age.
The basic costumes mean viewers are drawn to the facial expression of the characters, rather than being focused on what they are
wearing. This is because often facial expressions give away clues rather than the clothing.

3. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement.
Movement in the cuts in between the woman and other people in the community are shown in medium close-
ups/close-ups. This connotes the disruption of others’ lives due to the woman’s appearance or knowledge about the
murderer. The camera movement represents the mysterious attitude the woman has towards the murder to the
audience, by revealing her expression and following the people she is wary of. The technical code of the low angle
shot of the man when he appears represents his authority and higher status over the woman.
The over the shoulder shot of the mother slapping her son round the face gives the audience a clear view of the
whole family. This enables the audience to see the characters reactions to the slap and gain a wider understanding.
Mid and close up
shots denote
expression and
reveals characters
identify

4. EastEnders- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPoBpEMY-kM
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover or Soundtrack
The upbeat non-diegetic soundtrack playing throughout the trailer connotes happiness and a strong community
spirit. It reflects the positive atmosphere and the sense of togetherness, which is stereotypical of soap operas.
Furthermore the verbal code of “and I'm acting like I'm in an EastEnders episode” within the soundtrack highlights
the happiness often associated with soap operas, in particular EastEnders.
The community atmosphere is reinforced through the non diegetic soundtrack and the verbal code of the women
saying “with the man I love and my beautiful little boys! No more looking back” which connotes familiarity and
feelings of happiness, suggesting that people know each other from living in the square and highlighting a strong
sense of community and friendship. This sense of community is admired by and is relatable to the working class so
they will be encouraged to watch. The non-verbal code of the setting is stereotypical of soap operas. This contrasts
the low key lighting of the emergency services, identified through mise-en-scene of the expressions of the
characters, suggesting things are in fact going wrong.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial Expressions and Characters
The non-verbal code of high key lighting and a soft focus camera create the idea of a lighter, utopian time almost like
a memory and seems like a community where everyone gets on. This is also anchored through a close up and
mid/long shots displaying people with happy facial expressions that are grouped together creating the idea of
community and family this is the binary opposite of the low key lighting when the viewer see’s the emergency
services creating a sense of danger and something bad has happened. The use of costume is also an important
‘signifier’ (De Saussure) towards the danger the characters will encounter, for example the colour red connotes the
danger about to happen but also the red hand bag in the mid shot of the character Leanne smiling at the character
Nick also gives connotations of passion and that something is going to happen between those characters.

5. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera Movement
The shot reverse and close up denoting the characters eyes giving connotations that something is going to happen
between them. Also the mid shots of the other characters looking shocked to see them gives the same
representation in that something is going to happen between them, most likely some form of exciting conflict. The
technical code of a close up of some of the characters denote them looking at something connotes to the audience
that they are looking or spying on the other characters giving the audience a sense of mystery. Being filmed in slow
motion lets the audience see everything for example facial expression.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
A strength I would “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) from the Hollyoaks trailer would be the diegetic sounds. An example
of this would be the sirens in the background (ambient sound). This is because it is deliberately there to help the
audience understand that something has gone wrong. This would then intrigue the audience and as a result more
people would watch the soap. A strength that I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) would be the quick shots throughout the
trailer. This is because I believe this establishes that there is lots of action coming within the program, which would
then spark an interest in the program and the soap may then gain some viewers.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
A strength that I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) would be the happy soundtrack playing in the background throughout
the trailer. This is because I feel it adds emphasis on all the happy people enjoying themselves, and also on the
dramatic clips such as the fire station clips that the audience would suddenly not expect from the trailer. Another
strength that I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) would be the text at end of the trailer. This is because I believe it makes the
audience want to watch the program. An example would be the ‘4 funerals and a wedding’ which makes the audience
want to watch the program to see who’s going to die, however I would also look to include a non-diegetic voiceover as
well or instead of this feature possibly. The trailer also had a clear theme in terms of costumes and props etc, which
has allowed the audiences to see the narrative clearly and simply, using the surrounding environment, rather than
pieces of the actual TV Programme together. Therefore having minimal locations may also be a good idea for my trailer.
For both of these trailers, there was little or almost no voice overs, which did create a unique effect and a chance for
the audience to think about the trailers for themselves, which was good in my opinion.