Real Media Texts- Soap Opera Episodes

Soap Episode[1]


Here I have watched a range of soap operas and noted down specific things from the piece. By doing this I am able to compare different soaps and look for similarities and differences. Many of the soaps include the same type of charcaters and very similar storylines. The soap Hollyoaks is slightly different to the other soaps because it is aimed at a younger audience however, it still includes the same conventions as the main soaps. By doing this task it has enabled me to see the variety of characters, settings and storylines included within a soap opera. From this it will help generate ideas for when we come to plan our actual trailer and the different things we can include. I am able to see what storylines and charcaters have already been used so, when it comes to the trailer as a group we can expand on the ideas or this can also help us to come up with an idea which has not already been covered.

The purpose of a trailer

The purpose of a trailer is to promote and advertise something before it is released. In this case, Soap Operas use trailers to promote and advertise exciting new storylines, new characters, old charcaters return and also to promote a new upcoming Soap. A trailer can inform the audience of these things and also, attract potential new viewers. By doing this the programme has created a marketing product for their soap which can create exciting interest that can intice new viewers. The Soap company will aim to show their trailers at prime time so that it will be seen by a large audience and have a bigger imapct on their viewers. This is in the evenings before the watershed. The demographic groupings of the sudience that would watch these trailers are people from the demographic groups B and below.

Eastenders have used this trailer to show the return of two characters. In this trailer they have not given away any storyline but just used an extremely creative and mysterious trailer. They have used the iconic Western theme to structure the trailer and by doing this they have emphaised that the charcaters will make a  big impact on the soap and its creativeness will attract a wide audience.

History Of Soap Operas

History Of Soap Operas on Prezi

Specific Knowledge Of Soaps

Here, I have presented the specific knowledge that I have on the soap Hollyoaks. This soap is different to other soaps e.g. Eastenders and Corinations street, as it is targeted at a more select younger audience. It still includes the typical sterotypes for example, the bad boy and the busy body. The story lines include a much younger cast but it still includes many family situations and dilemmas.

Knowledge Of Soaps

Here is all the basic knowledge that I know about soap operas before I have began any further deatailed research into the media text. Throughout this unit I hope to widen my knowledge about Soap Operas and be able to create an effective new Soap Opera trailer. By completeing this task I have been able to make the conclusions that in every soap opera a pub appears to be a place of social interest and socialising. Also, they are very family orientated and each family portrays a stereotype of modern families.