Soap opera trailer analysis

Eastenders Christmas Trailer





Sound;


-For the first half of the trailer a happy traditional Christmas song is used to show the happiness of the families at Christmas opening presents and eating dinner all together as a family. The song is also used as a juxtaposition as after the happiness it shows the tragedy and unhappiness that is happening to the Mitchell's on Christmas. This now makes the initial non-diegetic soundtrack seem rather eerie.

- There is also the non-diegetic voice over of the narrator who puts the main focus on the line 'Whos the daddy?' to show that this is the current storyline.

- The typical Eastenders theme tune comes in at the end

- A dramatic silence after the intense question which changes the mood.


Narrative;


This trailer is an open narrative as it leaves it on a cliffhanger as you know that it will continue in the episode. It also uses Todorovs theory but only shows the first two stages of disruption but does not yet show the repair as it wants to leave the audience wondering whats going to happen before a state of equilibrium returns. It also used forking path and fractured narratives as it shows the happiness of other families and what they are doing at the same time but the difference in each of their days.


Titles;


-The titles 'BBC One' shown throughout the whole trailer to show what channel it was being shown on
- The name of the soap appears at the end of the trailer


Camera Angles;


In the trailer there are a lot of mid shots to show what the characters are doing and shows them sitting at the table together but when its starts to get more intense a close up is used. This shows the seriousness of the situation and reveals the destruction on the characters faces after the revelation. There are also 2 shots used that shows the closeness of the families and their friends but also used at the end to show things have turned around.


Mise;


- Dark clothing connotes a disruption ahead

- Lighting changes from being bright to then switching to a more dull contrast of black and white when Sean reveals the DNA results. This creates a sombre atmosphere.

- Christmas lights juxtapose with the distress happening around it.

- All the shots are interior nothing is shown outside. Inside usually represents safety but in this case they are still not protected from bad news


Emmerdale Trailer

Sound;

-  Slow, dreary non-diegetic music is being played over the top of the whole trailer. This sets the mood immediately.
- There are no diegetic voices coming from any of the characters. Towards the end some are shouting but are doing it in a mime and you do not actually hear them. This makes the overall feel become more silent and mysterious.
- The only voice comes from the non diegetic voice over at the end that informs audiences of the soap name and channel.

Narrative;

- This trailer is an open narrative that is left on a cliffhanger. This leaves the audiences wanted to see more, therefore wanting to watch the episode. Propps theory is also used in this trailer but more focus is on the villain. It is not as obvious as to who is the hero but it is clear that these characters fear the villain and want to stop him.

Titles; 

- The titles appear at the end of the trailer

- The name of the soap stands out the most as it is highlighted in white to stand out against the black background. 

- ‘Judgment day is coming’ is placed underneath the name of the soap. This gives the audience a hint of what to expect in the upcoming plot.

Camera Angles;

- A bird’s eye angle is used at the beginning to show the antagonist alone walking down the street. 

- A lot of panning shots are used to capture the reactions of other characters to show what they think of the antagonist. 
- A close up is used on the antagonists face to show him looking to the side. A jump cut is then used to also reveal a close up on a female’s face who looks distressed.

-The whole trailer is in slow motion to make each of their movements and body language significant. It especially slows down when their facial expressions re revealed when they see the antagonist. This shows he is trouble and that all the characters are weary of him. 

- It ends with an over the shoulder shot showing another man behind the antagonist. This leaves the trailer on a cliffhanger leaving the audience wondering what happens next.

Mise;

- The lighting of the trailer is dark throughout. It is set at night which instantly gives it more of an uneasy edge. The use of shadows also has an impact. It begins showing the antagonist and you can also see his large shadow in front. This makes the trailer appear quite gothic and mysterious.  Towards the end you also see the shadow of another person, making the audience feel on edge as you realise he is being followed.

- All characters are wearing dark clothing to connote disruption.

- All shots are exterior. The outside can connote danger and it is the most likely place for something bad to happen. It is proven in this trailer as you see that danger is ahead.

- The shot that shows him through a red phone booth connotes death or danger as the colour red stands out compared to the darkness and dark clothing. 

Hollyoaks Trailer

Sound;

 - The non-diegetic music over the top sets the mood of a wedding but juxtaposes with the actual situation. The song speaks of a ‘White Wedding’ but what is actually being shown is an all black gothic type wedding.

- There are no diegetic voices used in the trailer. All the speaking is done through the body language and the use of eye contact. A non-diegetic voice over is used at the end which starts off saying ‘To love, honor and betray’. This reveals more of the storyline and how betrayal is a part of it.

Narrative;

- The trailer is an open narrative as the storyline is left open and will continue in the episode. Its left on a cliffhanger leaving the audiences wanting to know more about the plot.

Titles;

- The titles in this trailer appear at the end. It shows the name of the soap, when it will be on and the channel.

Camera Angles;

- The camera tracks the bride down the aisle to show her getting closer to the altar.

- On the way the camera pans across to show the guests. This reveals them to be smiling at the bride who juxtaposes with the actual mood of the wedding and how the bride appears sad. 

-  The close up of the baby bump makes apparent that this has something to do with the storyline and perhaps the word ‘betray’ is something to do with being pregnant. 

-  Another close up is used to shows a doll being dropped and smashing on the floor. This could be following on from the unborn baby and the fact that the doll smash shows that’s perhaps she is hiding something that involves the baby. 

- A close up of the brides face towards the end makes it clear that she is upset as a black tear falls down her face.

Mise;

- All the guests and the bride and groom are all dressed in black. Black is typically worn at a funeral, not a wedding. This shows how they are perhaps mourning something that is unknown and also connotes disruption ahead. 

-  All the props and decoration are black which also follows on how it is gothic and purposely trying to make it obvious that it’s not going to be a straight forward, typical wedding. It highlights the fact that there may be some disturbances.

- The bride’s dark makeup and red lips also make it feel very gothic. The red lips stand out as everything else in the scene is black. The red connotes danger and the fact she follows on crying a black tear makes this even more apparent.

- The lighting is very dark and is in some part lit by candle lights. This makes it appear even more gothic and haunting as the only light is coming from candles.