Conventions found in soap opera trailers

These are some of the conventions that are found in soap opera trailers which are not in full length episodes:

• Loud music to fit with the scene.


• Jump cuts


• Close ups and extreme close ups


• Seductive women


• Titles throughout.


• Fade to black fades.

Example of Mercedes McQueen-Hollyoaks (on right) example of seductive female.

These conventions are extremely common in soap opera trailers as they grip the viewer, however they are not seen in full length soap operas. This is because the trailer is to entice the viewer therefore jump cuts make it easier for more storyline to be spread throughout different scenes and simply seductive women would entice some male viewers. Full length episodes do not need conventions such as titles throughout because the titles are used in trailers to reveal information and make the viewer question what they see, however viewers watching full length episodes follow the action through character conversation rather than titles.

Also music in trailers is used rather than speech because it builds tension and helps the trailer progress however in full length episodes dialogue moves the storyline on.