Soap Opera Genre –

Ancillary Product Analysis

Name: Feargus BrackenCandidate Number: 4009Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic SchoolCenter Number: 64135

OCR Media Studies – A2 Level

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

Tagline – The punctuations suggest finality, and the text is bold and eye catching against the dark background

Image – The non-verbal code of the image has been manipulated in a number of ways. The colours are manipulated into black and white, and this causes the makeup to stand out which creates emphasis on the features of the model. The image was manipulated onto its current background, and is well done as there is no visible border. The outside of the poster is blacked out, which creates a emphasis on the center image.

Synergy -

Institution Logo –The institution logo provides a easily

recognisable brand identity, and is placed in a way that it does not interfere with the main

image of the poster.

The # allows for cross media convergence to promote the soap on different avenues of media. A # on social media acts as free advertising, as it creates a media following and discussion.

Image – The image has been heavily manipulated so all the models look to be made of fire. This creates interest for the soap opera, as fireballs have connotations aggression and danger. The amount of characters involved in the fire/conflict would create interest for a new audience.

Institution Logo -Tagline –The tagline denotes how long the storyline will last, which is a ‘week’, a series of special episodes has the potential to attract a new audience. The verbal code ‘Forever’ connotes drastic changes, and therefore the content of the soap would be drastic as well.

The ident of the institution is large and visible, but not so that it obstructs the main image, which is the edited characters. The ident is also partially see through, so the image is still visible.

Image –The main image is a edited image of three different characters. All have been modified to be placed on to a white background, and they have no visible clashing edges. There have been brush effects used to create fight wounds, which ‘signify’ (De Saussure) conflict, which could possibly be fatal.

Tagline –‘Who’s the daddy?’ Presents connotations of conflict, and ‘informs’ of the nature of the conflict present between the characters. The tagline’s colour is blue, a stereotypically masculine colour. The presence of the word ‘Daddy’ signifies (De Saussre)the conflict is related to parental issues.

Institution Logo - The institution logo is present within the corner of the poster, out of the way of the main image. The colour of the logo contrasts with the background, and is clearly visible while not more eye catching

There is use of synergy on the poster, including Facebook and twitter url’s. These forms of social media allow for live interactions to be shared between audience members.

There is a magazine review by ‘The Soap Scoop’ which is again a demonstration of synergy and of promotion for both the show and the magazine.

The presence of the boxing gloves highlights the nature of a conflict, yet makes it seem somewhat ‘legitimate’ by comparing it to sport. The framing of the female character is of her as a diplomat, which conforms to Feasey’s ideology.

• In conclusion, each poster uses unique features and conventions I aim to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale). From the ‘Eastenders’ poster, I aim to create a focus on the main model of the image by creating a effect on the area around them.

• ‘Hollyoaks’ has inspired me to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the feature of heavy photo manipulation to drastically change the image, but leave the models recognisable as characters.

• From the ‘Thorn Lane’ poster, I aim to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) the convention of having the title hint towards the content of the Soap and the image, as it creates a sense of irony and hints towards the contents of the soap. In this case, the poster connotes violence and would create interest.