Soap Opera Trailer Analysis (Three)

The media theorist Stanley Hall (1904) stated; “Adolescene is inherently a time of storm and stress when 'all' young people go through some degree of emotional and behavioural upheaval, before establishing a more stable equilibrium at adulthood....Comon mood in teenagers was depressed, criminal activity would increase at the age of 12 – 24 and heightened sensation seeking, youth must have excitement and if this is not at hand in the form of moral intellectual enthusiasms its is more prone to be sought in sex or drink.” I will now analyse this Hollyoaks trailer to see if this theory of representation is at the root of soap opera advertising.

The Hollyoaks trailer begins with the narrator (non-diegetic sound) announcing “This week on Hollyoaks.” upon a aqua blue background and then the trailer of action begins. This could attract the target audience who are familiar with the soap opera and need a reminder to watch this soap later on Channel 4 or this could help attract more of their target audience who are adolescences looking for something more fresh and 'cool'. This will fall under the Blumer and Katz (1974) theory because the target audience will view this trailer for their own interests such as: Diversion, Self Identity and etc.

The non-diegetic background music of the trailer sounds very action packed; this could attract the target audience because the background music will seem very promising in terms of a dramatic and interesting storyline for them to follow, meaning this will be suitable for the audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory (1974) as they will be into the soap for personal identity, diversion, entertainment and etc.

There is a range of colour shown in the trailer, blue, pink, purple and red, this shows that this soap is suitable for the target audience their aiming for, adolescenes. This will attract their target audience who fall under the Stanley Hall theory (1904) because these colours could represent moods.

In terms of editing, the trailer seems to be continuity editing; this will help attract their target audience because the plot is told at a smooth yet fast pace to keep the audience's attention focused. This will be suitable for the target audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory (1974).

The actual trailer begins with a long shot of a male character reading a letter outside his car. This could represent their target audience who fall under the Marxist theory; a dominant social class, white, middle-class straight men who are portraying the media. This could attract the target audience who are fans of the star model as he’s the dominant character within this plot.

Then within the background there is more non-diegetic sound of a female stating “Brendon, I’m meeting someone who contacted Texas, I don’t want to do this alone.” This could connote that this female character had written the letter. This could represent that the male characters still hold the narrative as the camera close ups to see Brendon throw the letter down and drive off. This will fall under the Laura Mulvey theory (1975) as she states men always have the main plot role.

But there is then a close up of a older male character hiding behind a tree with partly of his face showing, watching Brendon's every move. This could connote hes suspicious of this murder and is willing to be sly about it. Therefore this could fall uunder the Tzvetan Todorov's theory as he is now the new problem in the whole storyline and this will attract their target audience.

Then there was a over the shoulder shot of a young girl turning around to look at the older male character in shock, in terms of mise-en-sense you cant really see much due to the male characters big dark coat being in the way, this could connote something dramatic is going to happen between those two about the whole murder plot, secrets are about to spill. This will attract their target audience because they will want to watch the soap opera for the answers to the plot, meaning this will fall under the Tzventan Todorov theory.

Then there is a long shot of Brendon opening his car boot and theres a blue body bag within it; this could fall under the Tilley's action code theory as this section of the trailer is giving away to the audience the most important section of the plot, therefore making them want to tune in and watch the soap.

In terms of camera work, there is a close up on Brendons face as he stares at the body bag within the boot of the car, to connote hes in shock and has been set up. He even announces hes been set up when the police rush over to arrest him quickly. This will fall under the Tzventan Todorov theory and this will make the viewers want to watch the next problems thats about to occur within the plot after the resolution to keep them interested.

“Our forensic team, found the murder weapon, in your bedroom.” Close up upon the inspectors face, this will go against the Laura Mulvey theory as she is the dominant character within this situation and looks down upon Brendon when she is questioning/arresting him.

Brendon then is posing for his prison photos against a black and white background, this could be suitable for the target audience who fall under the Stanley Hall theory because he states “ criminal activity would increase at the age of 12 – 24” and the target audience for this show is adolescences that are searching for something fresh.

Then Brendon is locked up behind bars, this could connote that he innocent and trapt, especially as at this point in terms of non diegetic sound he states “I did not touch the girl.” This will be suitable for the target audience who fall under the Stanley Hall theory (1904) and will attract their target audience in terms of keeping them interested in the rebellious storyline.

There is then a jump cut of the older male character grinning and winking at someone, in terms of mise-en-sense him wearing glasses could connote he is smart and was involved in the murder setting up Brendon, this will be suitable for the target audience who enjoy the Tzventan Todorov theory and this will make the viewers want to watch the next problems thats about to occur within the plot after the resolution to keep them interested.

The camera then aims up at the Judge as he announces Brendon is guilty of the murder due to all the evidence thats produced against him. This could connote that the judge is the dominant character and represents the male target audience who fall under the Marxist theory, straight, middle-class and white.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYO9SqPog_I