St. Paul’s Catholic College

Center Number: 64770

Candidate Number: 5970

Candidate Name: Harriet O’Toole

A2 Media Studies

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media –

Production Log

Evidence of Planning & Research

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Aims and Objectives

AO2 – Assess candidates’ application of knowledge and understanding in evaluating their own work, showing how meanings and responses are created.

AO3 – Assess candidates’ ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

AO4 – Assess candidates’ ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research.

Brief Chosen

A 45 second – 1 minute 30 second trailer for a NEW Soap Opera that will be exhibited on BBC 3 at 8:30pm (after Eastenders) that will appeal to a Male and Female audience.

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Contents

Textual Analysis

Eastenders

- Soap Opera Codes & Conventions- Multi Strand Narrative

Coronation Street

“The home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as such, it has long been said to appeal to the female viewer”

‘Masculinity and Popular television’ – Rebecca Feasey (2007)

- Is this evident and how is this presented to the audience?

Research

Purpose of a Trailer Multi-Platform promotion Textual Analysis – Coronation Street and Hollyoaks

Deadlines – Production Work

Filming Dates: Wednesday 23rd October 2013 0800 – 1200 hrs

Edited Trailer – Complete: Friday 14th February 2014

Promotional Poster – Complete: Friday 14th February 2014

Promotional Magazine Cover – Complete: Friday 14th February 2014

Evaluation – Complete: Friday 14th February 2014

Production Work

Director Producer Institution research – BBC Three

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Soap Opera Codes & Conventions – Lesson 2

1) What are some of the Codes & Conventions of this genre?

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2) Codes & Conventions of the Soap Opera Genre

The Soap Opera genre can be categorized by the ‘repeated’ (Steve Neale) elements of:

1. Romance

2. Family relationships/conflict

3. Focus on working class communities

4. Antagonism and conflict within the community

5. Verisimilitude

6. Cliffhangers

Eastenders (1985 – Present)

Key information regarding this text:

Exhibited on BBC1, repeated on BBC3

One of the UK’s highest rated program’s (8 million weekly)

Set in “kitchen sink” setting of fictional Walford, East London

Textual Analysis Task

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye51O8WBVVM&feature=related -

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You MUST complete the Table below whilst watching the TWO promotional trailers for the BBC Soap Opera Eastenders.You SHOULD aim to identify key examples (Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical) from each trailer that demonstrates your understanding.You COULD apply relevant audience theory to explain what impact these key examples would have on the target demographic.

In your opinion, according to Hartley’s Seven Subjectivities, what is the target audience for Eastenders?

Age 16 plus, it involves situations associated with most age ranges from teenage to elderly.

Gender Male and female – femme fetal and strong masculine characters appeal to both.

Nationality British audience – set in the East end of London.

Trailer 1)What is the Focus of this trailer?Stacey and Max’s affair, has Tanya found out, Stacey not sure if she wants Max or Bradley

Code&

Convention

Evidence

(Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical)

Impact on the Audience

(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)

Romance Max and Stacey“I love you”

Katz- ‘personal identification’ with love affair.

Family relationships and/or conflict

Tanya, Max, Bradley“Dirty little secret”

Katz- the audience can build a ‘personal relationship’ with how Tanya is feeling, especially if they have had a similar situation.

Focus on working class communities

Market Katz- ‘Informs and educates’ what it is like to work on a market and can find a ‘personal identification’ if in a similar position.Maslow- ‘Survivors’, want the characters to keep their stalls and survive on what they’ve got.

“Multi-Stranded Narrative”

Stacey and MaxStacey and Bradley

Katz- ‘diversion’ from own problem can focus on Stacey’s worries.

‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

“Dirty little secret”“Does she know something”

Maslow - ‘Caregivers’, they can sympathise with Tanya and Bradley.

Trailer 2)

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What is the Focus of this trailer?Max’s secret is finally catching up to him.

Code&

Convention

Evidence

(Verbal, Non-Verbal, Technical)

Impact on the Audience

(Katz, Maslow, Hartley)

Romance Stacey dressed provocatively

Katz- ‘Diversion’ Stacey’s provocative behavior is distracting from the real issue at hand.

Family relationships and/or conflict

Max and TanyaBradleyJack

Hartley- ‘families’ can relate this situation and how they would feel there for it also links in with Maslow’s ‘Caregivers’ as they would feel sorry for Tanya and Bradley.

Focus on working class communities

Stacey dressed as a maid.Bradley as a security man.

Katz- ‘Diversion’ they are playing different characters compared to normal which is making it more fantasized than real life, ‘personal identification’. People with these jobs or similar can relate to how people are viewed stereotypically.

“Multi-Stranded Narrative”

Shows multiple people:Max, Stacey, Tanya, Bradley and Jack.

Hartley- ‘Family’, ‘gender’ and ‘age’ are all affected. Bradley and Stacey are younger than the other three and are seen as less important roe (maid and security) Max, Tanya and Jack are all in suits. Stacey (female) seen as provocative female. The males are seen to be stronger and more important. Tanya is emotional. Stereotypes are shown here.

‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

Verbal song:“Sooner or later gonna cut ya down.”

Maslow- ‘Survivors’ want Max to survives but the lyrics connote that something is definitely going to happen that will affect Max.

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Multi-stranded narrative

-A Multi-stranded narrative can be defined as:-Telling a story from more than one person’s point of view.-Telling multiple stories about multiple characters in an Open Narrative episode for example.You MUST deconstruct the 10-minute extract from Eastenders and identify where the following elements are presented to the audience:

Multi-stranded narrative Family relationships and/or conflict Focus on working class communities ‘Disequilibrium’ (Todorov) Romance

You SHOULD write down x1-2 examples for EACH of the elements above that are presented.

Code & Convention Evidence Impact on the audience Multi-stranded

narrativeLauren, Michael, Lucy Katz- ‘Understanding of

community’ because it is showing more than one persons point of view in the community.

Family relationships and/or conflict

Max and Tanya, argue“When were you part of this convocation”

Hartley- relates to ‘family’ due to the two parents having an argument.Katz- ‘Personal identification’ the audience can relate to family rows.

Focus on working class communities

Café: LucyMarket: Peter

Katz- ‘Diversion’, it distracts the audience from their own troubles and real life, it also creates a sense of personal relationship as others with similar jobs find themselves able to relate to Lucy and Peter.

Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

Max Michael Kat AliceRelationship troubles, Kat confronts Michael about Alice, Max and Kirsty and Tanya.

Maslow- ‘Caregivers’ sympathises with Tanya because Kirsty ruins their relationship and Alice’s naivety.

Romance Alice is in love with MichaelTanya still loves Max

Maslow- ‘Caregivers’ because Alice has been manipulated by Michael and has a false sense that he likes her back, and the audience feels for Tanya, for her heartbreak.

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Soap Opera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson 3Textual Analysis

According to Rebecca Feasey in ‘Masculinity and Popular television’ (2007), the Soap Opera genre tends to focus on:

“The home, the family, domestic tribulations and the strong woman, and as such, it has long been said to appeal to the female viewer.”

1) – Do you agree?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8_ApPT6isY (First 5 minutes)

You MUST deconstruct the opening 5 minutes of a sequence from the popular ITV Soap Opera Coronation Street (1960 – Present) to identify examples of where this ideology is presented to the target audience.

You SHOULD also try and identify, to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the genre, any Codes & Conventions associated to the Soap Opera genre.

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Code & Convention Evidence Impact on the audience

Rebecca Feasey (2007) Ideology:

1. Female come up with solutions.

2. Family problems: David, Gail, Kylie and the baby.

3. ‘Did I ask for your opinion?” Michelle (strong woman).

4. Men scared of female reaction, so say nothing.

5. Michelle speaks over Steve.

Multi-stranded narrative

Michelle and SteveDavid and Kylie

Hartley- ‘Families’ are affected by the awkward family situation shown, where you feel like you have to help out your family.Katz’- ‘Personal identification’, people can relate with the problems faced here.

Family relationships and/or conflict

David and KylieGail and NickMichelle and Steve

Hartley- Whole ‘families’ involved in family secrets.

Focus on working class communities

PubBurden

Katz- ‘Inform and educate’, shows a working class environment which others may not be accustomed to.

Disequilibrium’ (Todorov)

“I don’t like surprises” Katz- ‘Informs and educates’ that the character David, doesn’t like surprises and we can clearly see he is talking about who is the baby’s father.

Romance Kylie “How much I appreciate you”

Katz- ‘Diversion’, audience is distracted from reality for a while from the relationship troubles between David and Kylie.

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Soap Opera Codes & Conventions continued – Lesson 4Textual Analysis

1) What is the purpose of a trailer?

To promote and advertise the episode before it is shown on TV. To inform. Marketing.

2) What are the benefits of Multi-Platform promotion of a media text?

Broadcast: shows audiences watching that channel.

E-Media: younger, broader audience, Viral. Cheap and free (YouTube)

Ultimately, some form of Convergence is important when promoting a text to the target audience.

3) Textual Analysis –

You MUST make notes on the following areas when deconstructing this sequence from Coronation Street:

Multi-stranded narrative Character dilemmas ‘Personal Identification’ (Katz)

Steve looks worriedBecky looks happy is have a celebration drink

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Non-verbal: “good luck” written in multiple placesEileen crosses her fingersLiz and Jason glance at each otherRoy and Haley smile, happyMultiple characters involved in the weddingSong: “I feel lucky”

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/hollyoaks/4od

The above link will take you to some of the latest episodes of Hollyoaks.

1. What are the connotations of the Ident for the popular Channel Four Teen Soap Opera Hollyoaks (1995 – Present)?

Male Vs. FemaleA clear gender dividePink before blue: indicates strong females

Hollyoaks – “White Wedding Trailer” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2sW-r9Vb4

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2. You MUST make notes on the following areas when deconstructing this sequence from Hollyoaks:

Binary opposition of the non-diegetic music Symbolism of the non-verbal code of the tear Representation of Pregnancy Any other examples that would impact the audience

Main colour is blackWedding is badDeathUnwanted pregnancy – bump is overly large, indicating it’s a big issueJudgmental looksSong:“It’s a nice day for a white wedding”“Shotgun” (normally when there is a pregnancy before marriage)“What have you done”Black tear rolls down the brides’ cheek – lack of hope, betrayal.

Production Work

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1) What is the role of a Producer?

Over see all production aspects across 3 stagesManage everyone

2) What is the role of a Director?

Over see the creative aspects of the productionDirect people

3) Institution research –

You MUST research the institution that your trailer will be exhibited on.

Launched in February 9th 2003

Replaced BBC Choice

Target audience – 16 to 34 year olds

Focuses on new talent and new technologies

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