Soap Opera Genre and Conventions:

The genre:

Our group had decided that we wanted to create a new soap trailer, as we all had a good idea of the typical conventions which this particular genre portrays.

The types of conventions which our genre (soap) follows is;

• It doesn’t end,

• The storylines are long with parallel storylines, there may be several storylines going on at one moment within the soap however they all cut to one another.

•There is continuity throughout, so we had to make sure that if a character walks out of the room they can’t be sat back in that same room again as there would be a continuity error.

• Soaps are seen as real-life everyday activities being played out in front of a camera – therefore some of the audience may be able to relate to the soap.

• Every so often, the soap will bring in a big storyline to draw in more viewers (for example – the train crash on ‘Coronation Street’)

The genre:

The types of shots which are often found in soap operas are;

• Usually begins with an establishing shot

• Big close ups – to show the characters emotions

• Two-shots to include other characters and their feelings

• Slow motion to add drama and effect

• MCU’s to frame a character’s shoulders and head to show their feelings more from a distance

• Tracking shots – when characters are walking so it feels like you are with them

• Camera is used as a fourth wall

Establishing shot MCU BCU

The genre:

Sound:

• The non-diegetic sound has to match the action produced – therefore a soap may create a fake slap noise when a character is being slapped.

• In a soap trailer, the soundtrack should usually have something to do with the emotions and feelings within the storylines being presented.

Costumes:

• The costumes which the characters wear can show their personalities, some characters may be dressed in the latest fashion (for example ‘Hollyoaks’) to show that their young audience can relate to the clothing worn.

• Costumes can show the difference in characters (our characters are wearing very contrasting outfits to show how they are so different).

Planning of our Soap Opera:

We wanted to create a soap which would be represented by the well-known institution ‘E4’ which airs programmes such as ‘Hollyoaks’ and ‘Skins’ which are both aimed at a teenage/young-adult audience. Therefore we knew we had to create a soap which E4’s audience could relate to.

Therefore the end title card in the title had to feature the E4 logo, as the trailer may be played on E4’s sister channels such as ‘Channel 4’ and ‘More 4’, as well as E4 itself.

Planning of the soap:

Planning of the soap:

Planning our soap trailer

The audience we would like to target our soap at teenagers/young adults, which is why we wanted our soap to be shown on E4.

We wanted to create a soap such as ‘Hollyoaks’ which could be real-life, therefore we chose not to do anything melodramatic, however some of the scenes may be a little far-fetched for the audience’s entertainment.

We wanted to include another age range, therefore we used Tiffany’s mother to feature in the soap, so that the older aged audience would also be able to relate to the soap as well as teenagers.

The trailer must feature three parallel storylines.

Planning the storylines:

The main storyline within our soap trailer is an affair including two girls and one boy. To show the different girls and to show which girl was the ‘mistress’ and which was the one in the relationship with the boy (Archie), we made sure that the costumes reflected the difference between the girls. The ‘mistress’ (Sambuca) was dressed in red to show a seductive side, with long hair and lots of make-up to show how she is glamourous. The girl (Bella) who is in a relationship with Archie is shown in a different light to Sambuca. Bella is dressed smartly and has minimal make-up on to show she doesn’t make too much of an effort.

In another scene which is set in the forest where a girl (Sarah) gets kidnapped by a man (Mark) the costume represents a kipnapping type of character as he is dressed in all black which is stereotypical of a murderer.

Another parallel storyline in the trailer is when a girl’s mother tells her daughter (Rachael) that she is not her real mother – this is a short storyline however has a big impact due to the dramatic line.

Planning of the storylines/scenes locations:

The locations of the scenes:

We chose to include realistic locations so that the audience could relate to the story/soap.

Storyline 1 (Scene 1):

A couple lay in bed.

Storyline 1 (Scene 2):

We shot this scene on pavement with a road beside it, as the storyline was the couple walking to work and then the man who was having an affair met up with his mistress around the corner.

Storyline 1 (Scene 3):

Bella catches Sambuca and Archie together (in a lounge).

Storyline 3:

Mother telling child she is not her real mother – set in a longue to show a homely feel.

Storyline 4:

Girl walking through woods/forest to show a scary setting, with leaves on the floor ruffling.

Planning of the storylines/scenes locations:

The locations of the of storyline 1:

Bella and Archie lay in bed.

Bella and Archie walking down the road, then Archie goes to meet Sambuca round the corner.

Sambuca finds out she’s pregnant- which is set in a bathroom, and Sambuca and Bella have a fight down a passage way.

Planning of the storylines/scenes locations:

The locations of the of storylines 2 and 3:

Sarah walking through the woods and is being watched by Mark.

Rachael and her mother sat in the longue.