Examples of Soap Trailers

Soap Trailer analysis- Hollyoaks 2009

The clip begins with a mid shot on Calvin sliding into shot where the non diegetic music begins. The music is a pop song which would appeal to a young audience also it has the lyrics ' dance dance dance till your dead' which is ironic as Calvin is dancing and ends up with blood over his shirt therefore the music foreshadows the later events. Wide shot panning displays confusion and chaos as everyone is bumping into eachother. Also the short clips of different characters tells the audiences that there are many possible suspects.

All of the females are in feminine pink dresses highlighting innocence however the dark red lipstick highlights there sexuality. Also Calvins white shirt makes the blood look extremely red making the events look even more dramatic and shocking. The white shirt could also connote innocence.

The lighting throughout the clip denotes dark connoting death and depression, also this colour highlights the hate within the room. The room looks smokey and the walls have blue strips for decoration, this gives off a chilling atmosphere.

Lastly the trailer ends with a low angle shot on Calvin with blood on his shirt. The low angle shot makes him look important and makes sure the audience are focusing on him as the storyline is based around him.

Trailer analysis- Eastenders Christmas 2009

The clip begins with the animated BBC logo over the establishing shot of the pub. This straight away tells the audience the channel for the soap. The establishing shot of the pub makes it clear it is christmas as there are lights up with decorations. Also this shot makes it clear that the pub plays a massive role in the storyline being advertised. The christmas theme is enhanced with the non diegetic music of the christmas carol 'We wish you a merry christmas' which is played in a highpitched chime-like tone. The carol should be festive and happy however the slow pace and high pitched twist on the original make it chilling and it creates a spooky mood.

The next shot is an over shoulder reaction shot where Stacey looks terrified and upset building tension as the audience do not know what has happened to her. There are two shots which are reveal shots making it clear that characters are revealing themselves and the audience are questioning what role they are going to play in the murder.

The fade to black transitions foreshadow the dark events which are going to happen and stick with the dark lighting and shadowy setting throughout the trailer. Also the shots are jump cuts of lots of different characters, this could be seen as a list of suspects.

The extra diegetic voice overs coming from the characters could be interpreted as thoughts from characters heads, this highlights the emotion of fear running through the characters.

Costume is modern and winter-like clothing. However Janine is in a red night dress connoting passion and danger.

The final shot is of Archy Mitchell in the pub. The shot is a low angle pan up which pans upto a mid shot of Archy, this shot signifys that he is the man who the storyline is based around giving him importance. Also the prop next to him is the symbol of the Queen Vic which is a head of the Queen Victoria, this is a obvious message telling the audience the storyline is based around the pub and foreshadows the murder weapon.