Conventions of a TV Soap Trailer

Most soaps include issues that people can relate to, including:

An issue can be the basis for the show that week, but their multi-strand storylines allow them to include more than one issue, including different characters in the show to make it look more realistic. They are usually set in one place and rarely introduce new characters, helping the audience to identify the characters and understand what is going on. Soap narrative can also be used to raise awareness to the audience.

The Uses & Gratifications theory relates to these conventions, as it is believed that audiences watch things for a number of reasons including:• Information• Personal identity• Integration and social interaction• EntertainmentWhich can be used as a basis for what soaps include in their storylines. The audience need to be able to relate to the content as they can then use this for the entertainment pleasure they are seeking. For example, personal identity involves the audience identifying with a valued other, and the soap will only be able to achieve this if it includes characters that they believe are similar to the target audience.

Relationship issues Sexual identity Friendship issues

Drug addictions Fights Family issues

Money problems

CrimeDeath

IllnessSexual infidelity

The most recent popular storylines include:

Hayley Croppers cancer story, whose final episode saw 10million people tune in

Sienna Blake's search for her daughter and mental breakdown

Lucy's murder, which attracted around 6.4 million viewers

Conventional characters:

There a number of different archetypes of the male character featured in soaps. These different types of characters contribute to the narrative. Binary Opposites can be used to decipher narrative, such as the villain and the hero. Propp created a theory which stated that there are around 12 archetypes that are regularly used in media products.

Conventional male

characters

The villainThese characters are usually crazy murderers who are featured in the soap using dramatic irony. The audience know who the killer is but the characters don’t. Characters of this archetype include Will from Hollyoaks, David from Coronation Street and Nick Cotton from EastEnders. They are usually dressed in dark clothes used to conceal their identity

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Villains?from=Main.Villainhttp://www.slideshare.net/simsimma/narrative-theories-7000181

The heroThis is the most conventional character of a soap, and usually involves someone tall, dark and handsome who is favourited by most of the female characters. They appear caring and never do anything wrong, and are always there to help the ‘princess’ out.The helper

This person is usually seen as the ‘sidekick’ of the hero, he too appears caring and tries to help the hero along the way. They are usually dressed in bold prints that do not compliment their looks, and sometimes wear glasses

The jokerThe character who usually thinks they are a ‘jack-the-lad’ who flirts with all the female characters and lives stress free.

Conventional characters:

There are also a few attractive female characters in the soap, some of them are dressed provocatively, to attract the male audience and present heterosexual and homosexual relationship storylines.

Conventional female

characters

The heroineSometimes there are female characters that appear to save the day. These women usually see the best in everyone.

The helperThis female character usually helps the heroine in some way, and is kind and caring. These characters are usually quite shy and quiet

The villainThese female characters are scheming and relentless. There a few used in soaps, but usually scheme against a male character or a fellow female character. This archetype is usually dominant over the other female characters, and aren't very popular with other characters

The princessThe princess usually needs saving from the ‘hero’. She is vulnerable and caught up in the villains plans. They are usually attractive with long hair and girly clothes. The audience are made to feel sorry for them as they appear powerless to the dominant male character

Conventional characters:

Young children are also featured in soaps to make them more relatable for parents and younger children.

Conventional teenage

characters

The helperThis character usually helps the hero or heroine, and is caring for other people and always willing to help out

The villainThis character is usually cunning and plans to ruin other characters. Some plans may include bullying or embarrassing their peers, but some storylines have seen teens involved in murders and rape

The rogueThis character is usually bolshyand outspoken, and uses their looks and attitude to manipulate people. They do not care about school or other peoples opinions. They are dressed similarly in revealing clothes and red seductive lips

The innocentThis teen is usually vulnerable, and has suffered with the dramas of adult life brings

http://goteenwriters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/list-of-character-archetypes.html

Conventional locations:

It is conventional for soap dramas to be set in a location like a lane, road or street.

Conventional settings

VillageEmmerdale is set in a village in the Yorkshire dales, which

represents their rural setting. Hollyoaks is also set in a village, a little different from Emmerdale as there are

more nightclubs and shops

SquareEastEnders is set in a square, where there is a lot of houses

enabling them to feature more characters and shops

Residential cul-de-sac

Neighbours is set in a residential cul-de-sac,

showing the lively suburb setting

Original soap trailer ideas that are effective:

Once upon a WeatherfieldFantasy idea of fairytale, theme which is independent from the actual genre, imaginative, original

Hollyoaks The Bus CrashOver dramatic, dark, includes storyline theme (dark) indicates what is going to happen without actually showing it, keeps the audience interested

Hurricane SharonEffective, imaginative, creative, entertaining

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pWr06mx8y8&index=8&list=PLUIR5pZGIR6zBfEke3J9lIIuC54lA68YV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKbgDzox4FM

Hollyoaks Will and Texas Wedding

Sound bridge, multi strand narrative, dramatic music, shot clips that cut to the beat, facial expressions. Linked to twitter with #

Eastenders Who Killed Lucy Beale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utOBfHCGoCoronation Street Who Kills Tina

Mid shot of different characters involved, historic flashbacks, dramatic music, narrator over the top of channel ident, time and programme, features theme tune, short clips of her falling off of building

Shadowing word art effective, entertaining, linked to theme. Dramatic slow music, focus pull, eye effect, different storylines who killed her? Slow motion, tag line, narrator over channel ident

Other effective A level videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FodOn9DAUTQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLNFmieIxog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlZ1Ggyx9_o

Slow shot circling actors works well as it highlights that they are doing something important, makes it more creative and entertaining

Flashbacks work well, contrast between bright and dark develops storyline

Camera in the bottle looks effective, different type of camera shots which entertains audience, builds up tension