Soap trailer analysis

Hollyoaks have used this trailer to introduce new characters that will be entering the soap shortly. By doing this they are able to attract new viewers and inform regular viewers of what is going to happen. It allows the audience a quick insight into the new characters personalities.

The trailer has been set in the studio, behind the scenes,where the actors would prepare for the soap. The characters appear to be getting ready for a photo shoot and have a very glamorous look about them which contrasts with the basic studio. This can show how they are wanting to impress the new characters. When the new characters enter they are also dressed to impress and the glamour of both new and old characters show how they are alike and will merge into the soap. By using a plain backdrop for the trailer it allows the characters costumes and personalities to really shine through.

The old characters appear to have been taken back by the new ones and how domineering they appear to be. The contrast of the new characters standing up and the old sitting down show levels of importance and how the new characters appear to have been given power. Low angle shots have been used to show the new characters and high angle shots have been used to show the present ones. This can reinforce how the new characters have already made their mark and how they are more dominant. This may give a hint of how this may also come across in the soap.

Male gaze theory has been used throughout the trailer. It shows how the male characters view the old characters in the same way as the new. This can show tension and how it may lead to jealousy within the soap. The shot reverse shots show how the new characters may become involved with the old characters. It can even show possible relationships through the reactions. A low angle long shot is used when the new characters enter and this has allowed the audience to see the look of the new characters and their styles. Also, it can show of how the new characters are looking up to them again reinforcing the new characters dominance.

An open narrative has been used for this trailer. It has been set up a bit like a stand off between the new and old characters. They have used the start of Todorov and how at the moment the characters are at equilibrium but how the new characters may cause a bit of disruption to the soap and with their new story lines and characters. At the end of the trailer it shows the characters posing together for a photo shoot and this shows how the old characters are accepting the new and how they will emerge into the soap.

Jump shots hace been used throughout the trailer. This makes the trailer quick like it should be and makes it exciting. By having the quick shots the audience get a quick snippet of all the charcaters involved. These quick shots cotrast with the final shot where all the characters have come together and are still for the photo.

Background music has been used throughout the trailer and stays the same all the way through even when the new characters appear showing how they are now becoming one team. At the end of the trailer there are titles that say 'Check out the new talent'. Here the producers are trying to engage regular and new viewers and also telling the audience the purpose of the trailer and how they are showing upcoming characters. Right at the very end of the trailer more titles have been used and the information of the show appears, telling the viewer the channel, the time and sponsors.




Coronation Street have used this trailer to show an exciting upcoming storyline that will have impact on the street. By doing this they have been able to attract new viewers and alert present viewers of what is going to be happening in the soap.

The trailer has used a mixture of interior and exterior settings including some of the main locations in the soap. These include the pub, cafe and factory which allows the audience to see how this storyline will have an impact throughout all of the street. Dark lighting has been used through the trailer which can connote that something mysterious and sinister is going to happen. The characters are dressed in colours which connote death. The villain is dressed in black, and the victims dressed in red and black. However, one of the victims is wearing green/blue which can connote hope. Revealing that there might be a twist in the story.

Digetic and non-digetic sound has been used in the trailer. Digetic snippets from the episodes have been used to piece together a small section of the storyline which, hints to the audience what is going to happen. There is a voice over at the end of the trailer which gives the themes of the special episodes and also tells the audience information about the show i.e when it will be shown and what channel. The titles also correspond with the voice over as a visual aid to the trailer.

Mid shots have been used throughout the trailer to show relationships which, may be ruined as a result of this event. A panning reveal shot of the Villain has been used to add mystery and makes the audience question if he is the villain. At the end of the trailer a close up has been used of each character who is involved in the situation one by one. The villain has been shown last and this shows that he is in the centre of the situation and is the one causing all of the chaos. By using close ups it allows the viewers to see the emotions that the characters are feeling.

Jump shots have been used throughout the trailer. After each different shot of the different characters it jumps back to the criminal. This shows how the villain will have an effect on each character.

An open narrative has been used for this trailer and some aspects of the theories of Todorov and Vladamir Propp have also been used. The disruption part from Todorov has been shown and mainly the villain has be shown from Propp's theory. From the trailer the audience can see that the return of an old character is going to cause chaos for the street.

Throughout the trailer the ITV1 logo is shown in the corner to remind the audience what channel the soap is shown on and then again at the end it appears along with the soap name and the times when the special episodes will be shown.




Eastenders have also used this trailer, like Coronation Street, to advertise an exciting upcoming storyline. From this they will be able to attract new viewers, keep regular viewers entertained and show what types of narratives that they have on offer.

This trailer has used interior settings including one of the most significant locations on the square, the Queen Vic. It is shown to be set on fire and reluctantly burn down. By doing this the producers have been able to let the audience ponder what effect that this major storyline is going to have on the soap as one of the main social points is going to be ruined. Having the Vic go on fire has been able to make it into a major storyline as it isn't just a general house fire. The lighting is dim and connotes danger and also doesn't make what is happening completely clear to the audience so, they have not given away the entire storyline.

Digetic and Non-digetic sound has been used. Many sounds have been used at the same time which adds to the chaotic atmosphere. The digetic screaming and arguing adds to the fragmented narrative and adds to the chaos. By making the trailer fragmented and chaotic it does not give away to the audience the complete storyline and keeps them in suspense of what is going to happen. Aspects from the theory of Todorov have been used which, is the equilibrium and then disruption part.

A mixture of shots have been used throughout the piece. The close-up shots show the pure emotions on the characters faces and their reactions to the chaos. The long shots show how the disruption escalates and reinforces the intensity of the scene. The Vic is the focal point of many of the shots and this can reinforce its importance and central point to the square.

At the beginning of the trailer many fade to blacks have been used between the different locations. As the story line builds up more jump shots are used which speed up the trailer and blds on the dramatic effect.

From analysing these episodes I have been able to see the types of characters, locations and plot lines used in a soap opera. This will enable my group and I to come together and discuss possible narrative ideas for our soap opera. We can also identify the generic conventions and combine them within or trailer.