Textual analysis of 2 soap opera trailers

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: Maximilian Stainer
Candidate Number: 3138
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1 – New Years on EastEnders: Trailer – BBC One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh4NvPB4FDc
Verbal Codes
The trailer immediately opens up with the main male protagonist stating ‘We need to pack.’ The connotation behind this verbal code
conveys that there is a dilemma, which stereotypically is found in a typical soap opera series. This is effective as it engages the audience
from the start of the trailer allowing the audience to watch the entire duration of the viewing. In addition to this, it displays a female
protagonist shouting ‘Will you look at me!? I want the truth.’ This is said to a male protagonist, which therefore agrees with Rebecca
Feasey’s ideology that ‘the home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as such, it has long been said to appeal
to the female viewer’ as the female protagonist is also demanding the truth from the male character. The loud approach form the
woman almost scares the audience, which as a result keeps the audience captivated for the rest of the trailer. In terms of the diegetic
sounds within the trailer, it opens with a low pitch piano note which plays on throughout the clip. The verbal code behind this low pitch
piano highlights importance and drama, therefore it will alert the audience to think that there will be significant events within the
episode it is promoting. In addition to this, near the end of the trailer the soundtrack cuts to a dark and mysterious beat which increases
rapidity. This dark verbal code may suggest that there is evil in the episode as the beat increases tempo to connote tension and
suspense.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
As the trailer starts, the audience are immediately introduced to a male protagonist. This is displayed through the non verbal code of the
low key lighting. This non verbal code connotes how this male protagonist may be evil in this upcoming special episode as he is
represented in a sinister and satanic dark tone. As well as this his evil persona is anchored by his clothing as he wears a long black cloak.
The non verbal code of this repeated iconography of black and dark colours highlights that this protagonist is a ‘villain’ of the soap
opera and this allows the audience to love to hate this particular character in the soap opera. At the end of the trailer, it cuts to a clock
edging on to 12 o’clock. The non verbal code of this setting may convey that there is something significant that will end to a certain
character, which has been kept a secret. This is emphasised by the verbal code ‘Cinderella, this magic will only last till midnight.’ This
phrase said by a dark chilling voice conveys that one character may be in danger, therefore it forces the audience to watch this special
episode to witness what happens.

3. Technical Codes
-At the start of the trailer there is a technical code through the use of the the camera technique; tilt. Here the tilt of the camera shots
the female protagonist and then moves up to shoot Ian who has a very shocked facial expression. The non verbal code behind this
camera technique and dramatic facial expression conveys there may be a surprise of a possible return of an old or new character who is
portrayed as the 'villain' which will cause havoc in the soap opera. As well as this the reveal of the tilt of the shocked facial expression
captures the audiences attention as they will realise something has startled the main protagonist.
-Alongside this scene in the trailer there is also an eye line match between Ian and Max (the two male protagonists). The use of this
technical code in editing of the eyeline match illustrates that there is clear tension between the two. However this could be seen as a
contrast as it may represent the 'villain' and the 'hero' as binary opposites (Levi Strauss) of Good VS Evil. This will lead to the audience to
join either side of the characters and support them through social media.
-The male protagonist 'Max' in the trailer is presented throughout. Furthermore in the opening there are two shots of him both in an
extreme close up shot of his facial expression. The technical code of the extreme close up of the character it highlights that he may be
the main focus in the upcoming episode. The close up also may disturb the audience as he is typically portrayed as the 'villain' of the
soap opera.

4. Trailer 2 – TRAILER: Summer on Emmerdale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLjU-Ut3tA
Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Dialogue, Voiceover, Sound Effects or Soundtrack
"I'm not Harriet, my name is Laurel!" From the female protagonist. Standing up to the male protagonist almost exploits the different
view on the stereotypical gender dominance. This verbal stand up highlights that she has strength, which the female audience will be
attracted to. As well as this the aggressive tone may signify that there is tension or conflict between the couple which may attract the
audience further. Further on in the trailer, it escalates through a sound of a loud gun shot with a women screaming ‘Dad!’. The verbal
code of the gunshot suggests there is a murder in the episode. It is mysterious who the victim who the victim is but we are hinted by a
women who calls desperately ‘Dad!’. Due to this high pitch yell, the verbal code may suggest that he may have been killed leaving the
audience desperate to watch the upcoming episode to see who is really killed. In terms of diegetic sounds, at the end of the trailer there
is a increase in tempo of the soundtrack. The verbal code of this increase in tempo denotes there is suspension and tension within the
soap opera. This is also anchored by the multiple cuts and transitions displaying all the events. This reveals that there is a lot of drama
that will occur on the soap opera in the near future. This will captivate the audience into watching the soap opera to experience the
drama that will happen.
Non-Verbal Codes – Comment on the use of Setting, Lighting, Costumes, Facial
Expressions and Characters
At the start of the trailer there are multiple cuts of protagonists within the soap opera looking distraught and are crying. The non verbal
code of the protagonists’ sad facial expressions convey that there have been multiple events that have caused characters to be in
portrayed as stressed or hurt, which forces the audience to watch the episodes in order to investigate what has caused these characters
to be like this. In addition to this, in the trailer there is multiple shots of a female protagonist in low key lighting. The non verbal code of
the low key lighting signifies the dark and horror atmosphere that the girl is isolated in by the other protagonists. This may suggest she
has been entrapped or imprisoned in which the audience would want to watch the soap opera in order to find out what has happened
to her. During the trailer, there is a female protagonist downing a glass of wine while adopting a disturbed facial expression. The non
verbal code of her facial expression may reveal that she is suffering mentally or she has a problem. This is reinforced by the glass of
whine as an anti depressant to escape her troubles. Due to her facial expression and action it leads to the audience thinking how she
has been forced into that state by other protagonists, which as a result makes the audience stay tuned to watch the live episode.

5. Technical Codes – Comment on the use of Camera Angles, Shot Types and Camera
Movement
At the start of the trailer, there are multiple shots of the main protagonists at a close up shot. The effect of this technical code of the
close up camera shot focuses on the facial expressions of the main protagonists. Ultimately, the facial expressions are negative and sad,
which as a result will make the audience question what has effected them and therefore captivate them into watching the episode.
Alongside this, through the use of the camera there is also a tracking shot of the black male protagonist and female protagonist. The
technical code of the tracking shot connotes how the male protagonist may be trying to escape and leave the female protagonist, which
could frustrate the audience. Lastly there is also a shot reverse shot between what it looks to be a mother and daughter. The technical
code of the shot reverse shot between the two female protagonists ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) that there is a split and conflict between the
two. This is heightened by the verbal codes as they argue. This will make the audience want to investigate in the cause and result of this
conflict as they will watch this episode from the trailer.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Trailer 1)
Firstly, I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the loud shout from the female protagonist. This is because the loud verbal code shocks the audience
and therefore captivates the audience to watch on. The aggression from the female highlights that she may be subverting the gender roles
which may further attract the mass audience as “it has long been said to appeal to the female viewers” (Rebecca Feasey – 2007). As well as
this the introduction is very captivating and I would like to ‘exploit’ (Abercrombie – 1995) as it focuses on one particular protagonist hinting
he has a major role in the next episode. It also allows the director to manipulate the image of the character and add a sinister tone such as
the low key lighting. Lastly I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the scene where the camera is shooting the protagonist who is in the car
having a breakdown. This would be effective because it highlights how the protagonist feels isolated and how he is releasing his negative
emotions which is silenced by the car as this may be disturbing for the audience.
Trailer 2) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or “exploit”
(Abercrombie – 1995)
I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the opening of the trailer as it displays a range of close shots of the main protagonists highlighting their facial
expressions and emotions. This is effective as it will illustrate to the audience the dramatic events which are set to happen in this soap
opera. In addition to this I would also like to “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995) the tracking camera shot as I feel it build up the tension
between a couple. It will also depict to the audience how both are feeling in the situation, which I could use in my own trailer where there
is a stalker and a girl. Lastly, I would like to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the ending of the trailer where it again displays all the protagonists in
multiple transitions. This reveals the dilemmas and problems associated with the characters and it should be adopted with a rapid drum to
emphasise the drama and panic.