TV Drama Trailer Analysis (Eastenders)

In this trailer, many representations are shown which are representations of gender, age, class, work and youth.
This is due to many of the different shots and angles used. To start off the trailer, there is a long/medium shot which shows who is in the frame and the movements of the characters. The medium shot is very useful to show the emotions of the characters because it gives us an idea of what is going to happen in this part of the episode as their facial expressions will show us if something good or bad is happening. As this is at the beginning of a episode, these shots are relevant so the audience know who the first part of the episode is going to be on.

 In this part of the trailer, it shows clearly who is dominant in this medium shot. It shows us that the character who we can see straight on (Derek Branning) has all of the dominance due to him holding the money in his hands. As the trailer goes on it shows us that the two younger boys are intimidated by him as they are nervous to speak to him and answer his questions. It shows us clearly that the other to men are younger as they are sat playing with a pack of cards. This represents to us as them being child-like up to Derek in the shot.
It also shows us a clear representation of class in this shot due to the mise-en-scene. We can see that in this shot, the two boys are dressed in casual wear which represents their age group and status in society, whereas Derek who is in control of the other two is wearing a suit, this concludes the class and status of all of them together. Because of him wearing a suit, shows that he is older and maturer, yet higher in status as it gives us the impression that he is a business man because of him holding the money in his hand.

The tone of their voices when they are discussing their 'business' shows us a lot of suspicion because they are speaking in a low and quiet voice. Altogether, this shows stereotypically that these three men are represented as a negative in this extract.
This close-up shot is a really good example of how to show us as the audience how a character

is feeling. It is a good way of showing us the background in this scene even though its only showing a little bit of it as we can see where the characters are. The fact that this secret meeting isn't going on in a office gives us the sense of suspicion. This proves that they want to be hidden and don't want to sacrifice any over hearing. This concludes the reason why they have met up in a house. This camera shot is producing a contrast as even though they are being very suspicious men and don't want anyone to know anything about what they are planning, realistically we only let the people we trust get this close to our faces, for example, family members, friends and lovers. Therefore being this close up to someones face means we are in the mind of them and can figure how they are feeling or what they are thinking. In this part of the extract, we are shown how nervous this character is at the time. Of course we know it is because of Derek Branning being intimidating and asking several questions. This part of the extract shows us peer pressure due to the several questions and because of what Derek is saying in general. E.g"but this was your idea!"
This close- up is very intimate and is used to make us feel uncomfortable about a character, but in this case we feel uncomfortable for a character being of the storyline produced.
As the extract goes on, there are switches of extreme close up between Derek and this character above. It shows us that Derek is the character that is incontrol of the other two boys he is involved with. By it switching to the other character inbetween, it shows us the thoughts he is thinking by his facial expressions. The emotions he gives out is that he is scared of Derek and worried.
Soap operas use a lot of close ups and extreme close ups because they are very dramatic programmes as there is a drama in every episode.

Soap Opera TV Listings Analysis

What is a Soap Opera TV Listing?
Soap Opera TV listings are stated obvious what they are just by the title. They are broadcast programming or scheduling and is a good way of organizing TV for the viewers and for the TV programmes themselves. It is broadcasted daily, weekly or even season-long.

Analysis.
Name:What's on TV?

Type:Listing Guide
Price:40p
Just like any other magazine cover, this TV mag has to stand out to draw all readers in.
All of them have exactly the same layout and a certain colour scheme, for example, every soap opera front cover has a large image simply to attract a certain audience (soap opera viewers). This image is also bright, bold and colourful which concludes as an eye-catching image. This is all because of the oranges, reds, blues and the bright pink used. As this TV magazine has a specific genre and layout, the audience will know straight away that it is a soap opera magazine.
The image has headlines around to let the audience know the important information. To attract a wider audience, different stories are highlighted in a bold text telling them about various soap operas, not just about the soap which is in the main image. The biggest headline on top of the picture attracts the reader straight away and lets them know the biggest part of whats going to happen in the soap during the week.
In the bottom right corner of the front cover, there is a puff addded which is advertised to the audiences about 'Hot New Shows'. As a TV magazine is popular, it enables the audience to get involved with this advertisement. Therefore, these TV programmes will get more viewers.
Altogether, the front cover is actually quite simple. Just by adding bold colours, the front cover looks busy. Just by having small but eye-catching headlines on images draws the reader in straight away because they would like to know the juicy gossip inside of the magazine.

This double page spread for a TV listings magazine is structured as organized columns which makes it easier for the viewers to read. Having the different channels sectioned off with different colours makes it clear and understanding. The colours of the days are also in different colours which not only makes it clearly for the viewers, it makes the days stand out as they are just put in the top corner of the double page spread. Therefore, the readers know what day a certain programme is on. Even though the double page spread looks really busy and uninteresting to read, the pages have been set out in its own clear way so that the readers know exactly what day and what time the programme is on they would like to watch. On the left of each TV programme, there is a space for a specific time of when the TV programme will be on. The times are in bold along with the title of the programme. This makes the readers draw attention to the programme as it is set to be a easily read to all audiences.
The black boxes around the films I believe is a good idea so that it doesn't cause confusion for the readers of the magazine as they may think that some of the films are programmes and vise versa. It is also a good advertisement as it draws the readers into looking at the films so more people will watch them.
Adding imagery to this double page spread I think makes the double page a little more exciting. Having a 'Today's Choice' column I believe is a good advertisement to the audience as it will convince the readers to watch these TV programmes as they stand out and look interesting because of the imagery added.

TV Listings Research

The Soaps there are!

199 Park Lane (1965)

Angels (1975–1983)

Albion Market (1985–1986)

The Appleyards (1952–1957)

The Archers (1951–present)

Brookside (1982–2003)

Casualty (1986–present)

Citizens (1987–1991)

Compact (1962–1965)

Coronation Street (1960–present)

Crossroads (1964–1988, 2001–2003)

Crown Court (1973–1984)

The Cut (2009–2010)

Dr Finlay's Casebook (1962–1971)

Doctors (2000–present)

EastEnders (1985–present)

Echo Beach (2008)

Eldorado (1992–1993)

Emergency – Ward 10 (1957–1967)

Emmerdale (1972–present)

Families (1990–1993)

Family Affairs (1997–2005)

Family Pride (1991–1992)

Front Line Family (1941–1948)

Garnock Way (1976–1979)

General Hospital (1972–1979)

The Grove Family (1954–1957, 1991)

Holby City (1999–present)

HolbyBlue (2007–2008)

The House of Anubis (2011–present)

Howards' Way (1985–1990)

Jupiter Moon (1990, 1996)

London Bridge (1996–1999)

Machair (1992–1998)

Market in Honey Lane (1967–1969)

Mrs Dale's Diary (1948–1969)

Night and Day (2001–2003)

Park Avenue (1988–1992)

Pobol y Cwm (1974–present)

Quayside (1997)

River City (2002–present)

Rownd a Rownd (1995–present)

Silver Street (2004–2010)

Springhill (1996–1997)

Take the High Road (1980–2003)

The Bill (1983, 1984–2010)

The Newcomers (1965–1969)

The Practice (1985–1986)

The Royal Today (2008)

Triangle (1981–1983)

United! (1965–1967)

Waggoner's Walk (1969–1980)

Weavers Green (1966)

Westway (1997–2005

The Finances Of Soap Production

Soaps are broadcasted everywhere around the world and are very popular. Practically everywhere there is a national TV network you will find a soap, even in Egypt. To see that viewers love Soap Operas, it only takes a weekly viewing as the figures are always huge. It is important that soaps are popular, as if they produce a programme, a large audience will help in the long run when they are good enough for advertising companies as they may want to advertise them.
As the BBC are a public service channel, this means that they will get money from the government via the Television Licence system as they are not commerical. But they still have to attract large audiences to justify the licence fee we pay.

Soaps in Britain

Even though Soap Operas were successful in America, Britain didn't take to them all.
The BBC was a public service and was financed by the licence fee and not advertising. As the BBC was led by a man called John Reith, he decided that he wanted the BBC channel to express culture to better and broaden Britain's education, but Soap Opera's were not considered as culture.
Britain did't get a radio Soap Opera until the end of the second world war. It was called 'The Robinsons'. 'Mrs Dales Diary' followed in 1948 and then 'The Archers', which started in the 1950's and is still going strong today and is named the longest running soap ever.

The BBC produced the first British TV Soap (The Grove Family). but ITV which came around in 1955's soon caught up. Bristish soaps have alsos been different to the ones that broadcasted in America. They are known to be a lot more family orientated and homely.

Early British Soaps.

The Grove Family- BBC, 1954-57
Emergency Ward 10- ATV, 1957-60
Coronation Street- Granada, 1960-Present
Compact- BBC, 1962-65
United- BBC, 1965-67
The Newscomers- BBC, 1965-69

The BBC was never really successful with their Soap Operas and wasn't until 1985 when they produced Eastenders that they really made a long running, successful soap.Many of the regional independent British companies make their own soaps. E.g. Emmerdale (Yorkshire TV). Soaps help them to gain a bigger regular audience.

What is a soap opera?

Soap operas are known for well produced ficton. They are programmes that tell reality stories, so that the viewers can relate to all situations that happen in the programme.
Each soap opera have a big cast of characters to really complete the whole of the drama being expressed within each episode.
TV dramas have a big impact and effect on the viewers due to promising that the drama will be continued in the next episode. This is by the viewers being left with a cliff-hanger episode endings.

Many magazines, websites and talk shows are dedicated to talk about the genres of the dramas and this publication is to keep all viewers on track of whats happening or going to happen within the episodes.

History of Soap Operas.
The word 'soap' is a slang word for dramas which have been created in this style since the 1930's. Around this time, several soap companies had their drama sponsored on serial radio dramas, which aired for 15 minutes to half an hour everyday. By this happening, they collectively became 'soaps'. Through the fame of being aired on the radio, and being advertised the soaps became a weekly TV show and was shown everyday.
The most popular audience for the radio were housewives. Around this time, very few married women went out to work so stayed at home and done the domestic role of housework. This also made them the perfect audience for the companies that advertised soaps and cleaning products.
Soap Operas were invested due to an idea of companies dedicating them to a female audience and aired the Soap Operas to entertain the housewives whilst they spend their time at home.
'Soap Opera' was a name created because the programmes were simply sponsored by soap companies and 'Opera' because just like Operas themselves, they are dramatic and larger than life.
The soap and radio companies realized how popular and how cheap they were to produce to decided it would be a good idea to broadcast all around the country.
In America, after the war, radio soaps became less popular and all attention was drawn to the new invention which was a Television. Companies found that advertising would be better on TV than a radio, so by the mid 1950's, radio soaps were dead. The soaps were played 5 times a week and just like before, the target audience were women and the soaps were broadcasted in the week.
The first Soap Opera was broadcasted in Britain.