Conventions of a soap opera trailerWhen researching into the conventions of a soap opera trailer I decided to observe products similar to the text I will be producing. In order to be able to do this I watched a trailer from 3 of the most popular soap operas: EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKbgDzox4FMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vDuvkmOyXQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWyB6Nqfhv8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utOBfHCGohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGXX2ubwoIU

The main conventions I was looking for when watching these clips was:-characters-props-facial expressions-body language-music/soundtrack/voice over-length of shot

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Analysis- charactersAfter observing the clips of similar texts I have come to the conclusion that it is conventional for soap opera trailers to show a range of different characters as a soap opera is based upon a multi-strand narrative. The inclusion of a range of characters within the soap opera trailer allows the audience to understand the characters in a snapshot which could therefore go on to foreshadow the storyline; additionally this allows the audience to create assumptions about the characters and storylines. Conventional character types found within TV soaps are:This is similar to Prop's narrative theory-a bad boy-a matriarchal character-a patriarchal character-a business man-rebellious teenager-the womaniser

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Costume and Props Most of the costumes and props featured in soap operas are found in everyday life and this should help create familiarity and verisimilitude for the audience. Some props commonly featured are:-bottles of alcohol-cigarettes-mobile phones-laptops-money-foodSome examples of costume are:-jeans-t-shirts-dresses (smart and casual)-suits-coats

Facial expressionsAs most of the events within a soap opera are based upon things that could happen in

real life so many of the facial expressions shown are very realistic. For example facial expressions such as shock, upset (crying), guilt and laughter

sometimes appear to arise naturally from the set.In soap opera productions facial expressions are often over dramatised to create

tension and excitement between characters. Additionally the characters need their emotions to be expressive so the audience can understand the storyline without

having to hear dialogue. This is often used to portray guilt as the audience are sometimes more aware of a character’s guilt or innocence than the other people on

set (usually due to either a close up or mid shot of the lone character.

Body language In a similar way to facial expression, body language can

be used to portray emotion without dialogue. In soap opera trailers it is conventional for two or more characters to be seen in a single shot. For example the use of shot reverse shot allows the audience to see both character’s body language. This is conventional of soap operas as it allows the audience to see the reactions of both characters therefore increasing the verisimilitude of the soap. In a soap opera conventional body language would be tense and straight (when arguing) and additionally would be relaxed (with friends) depending on the situation in which the character is in. In the soap opera trailer body language would be important as the character’s body language could connote and foreshadow a storyline to come in the soap once its been aired.

Music/soundtrack/voiceover It is conventional for soap opera trailers to include a soundtrack that fits the genre

of their production. The soundtrack is often chosen according to the themes included in the trailer.

In most cases it is conventional for a soap opera trailer to contain a soundtrack that creates drama and tension as this attracts the target audience and can foreshadow

events within the soap. It is also conventional for the soap opera trailer to contain some form of voice over.

As a lot of soundtracks used include lyrics it is not always necessary for the trailer to include dialogue. However I have noticed that a voiceover at the end of the

trailer is conventional. These are usually recorded in a male voice and inform the audience on date, time and channel that the new soap opera will be shown on.

Themes There are a range of themes used within soap operas and the trailer

needs to show the most appealing themes to the target audience they have selected.Some themes include:BirthMarriage death Illnessdivorcehatredloverevengefriendshiprelationships

I found that the most conventional themes within a soap opera were the themes that best reflected real life. This is in the hope that the audience will be able to relate to the soap opera making it more likely for it to be successful.

Length of shot and shot type In soap opera trailers it is conventional for each shot to only remain for a shot to remain on

screen for maximum of a few seconds. The fast pace camera work creates suspense and tension which is likely to intrigue the audience, making it more likely that they watch the new soap.

Conventionally soap opera trailers use shot reverse shot, mid shots and close up shots the most regularly. This is conventional of soap operas as the audience need to feel familiar with the characters in order to relate. The use of these 3 shots portrays the character’s facial expressions the best and therefore producers tend to use these making them conventional of soap opera trailers. In particular the use of these 3 shots in a trailer is important because the audience need to be exposed to a proportion of the characters in order for them to want to watch the production.

Lastly it is conventional for an establishing shot to be used in the trailer to give the audience an idea of settings included in order for them to be able to relate.

Locations As soap operas are usually based upon a real life setting. Many of the conventional locations

can be seen in every day life. Prime locations could include:-a pub-cafe-communal area e.g. Square or high street - residents houses-hair dressers/beauty parlour -nurseries-laundrette-restaurant

The locations featured in the trailer are vitally important as the trailer needs to promote the best areas within the soap in order to gain viewers. Usually the most popular locations are chosen e.g. A pub as this is most likely to be recognisable to a large target audience.

References

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-london/plain/A1087193

http://prezi.com/upg_rsrylzk3/typical-soap-opera-characters

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