Q1 – How did you USE, DEVELOP, or CHALLENGE codes and conventions of real

media products.

Harley Clarke

Soap OperasA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" is a on going show where storylines are added every episode to allow the audience to feel connected and involved with the cast. An individual episode of a soap opera will generally switch between several different concurrent story lines that may at times affect one another or may run entirely independent of each other. Each episode may feature some of the show's current storylines but not always all of them. Especially in daytime serials and those that are screened each weekday, there is some rotation of both storyline and actors so any given storyline or actor will appear in some but usually not all of a week's worth of episodes.

The two main examples of soap operas in the UK are Eastenders and Corination Street these soaps have been continuously running since 1985 ( Eastenders ) 1960 ( Corination street )

The two shows are known mainly for gossiping and drama about what's going on, soap operas have helped develop other genres such as dramas, and scripted reality.

Codes & Conventions Soap Operas

Soap Opera Trailer Magazine Billboard

• Continuous storylines• Stereotypes such as, gangster,

tart, bully• Realistic, cathartic storylines• Lighting reflects mood• Variety of camera shots• Little or Extreme make up• Parallel narratives• Regional• Costumes create stereotypes • Location reflects characters• Conflict between the characters

• Promotes the programme

• Varies in length 25-115seconds

• Teaser/little snippet of events

• Highlights key features

• Big budget costs• Creates interest• Beats match edits • Date of

showing/release • Shows storylines

without giving away to much crucial information

• Multiple features

• Brand identity created via masthead

• Highlights key features

• Images • Websites • Strapline• Anchored

images/text• Barcodes• Prizes• Rule of thirds

• Brand identity via logo

• Bright colourful images / background

• Dominant/ interesting title

• Clear images• Good layout• Anchored

slogan• Subheadings• Easy to read

font

Existing examples of scripted reality shows

Scripted reality background The definition of scripted reality is:“a type of television series featuring real people who talk naturally but are put in situations which are prearranged by the production company” Reality TV came onto our TV screens around 1999-2000 with the two biggest shows being Big Brother andSurvivor, these all had real people in it with a celebrity special added after the “normal” one had finished. Thepeople inside it had to do the tasks however the producers decided what happened when e.g. In Big Brotherfood was took away for misbehaving.

Scripted reality emerged globally via such shows as Desperate Housewife's & Jersey Shore, however in Englandit took a little longer for scripted reality to make it onto a TV companies shows, in 2011 a show called “The OnlyWay Is Essex started. At first the characters were mocked and laughed at however nearly 2 years on the show iswatched by at least 75% of the UK. After seeing “TOWIES” success on Itv2 E4 looked for an answer to dip intothe scripted reality market and came up with “Made In Chelsea” this aired near the end of 2011. Both of theseshows show the wealth and glamorous lifestyle of people who live in Essex & Chelsea.

LOGO comparison The Only Way Is Essex logo is bright and shines onto the screen with purple writing, this is simple yet effective. There is lines going off most of the letters maybe symbolising its not going to be normal or the show may be extravagant.

The Made In Chelsea logo is plain yet simple, it has white text on a coloured background, the Logo also has a crown above it showing the wealth that will be associated with the programme

For my Logo I decided to get most of my ideas from the Made In Chelsea I chose to use white font colour on a pink background, the font showed the sophisticated classy side, where the pink showed the colourful side making the audience feel good about the programme, however it also incorporated the tacky / parody side to it.

Scripted reality themes • Affairs• Relationships• Money• Babies • Death / Leaving show

Each of the above are normally found in scripted reality shows, the five things arethings which will all create “good TV” the themes allow the audience to connect withthe characters and create “favourite” ones which can lead to social networkinginteraction for example #TeamArg as part of a Towie break up.

TRAILERS

• The Only Way Is Essex http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLW3_Ieckm4

• Made In Chelseahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sprSMdXK1MY

• Well Jel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hPPd1BcSh4

PRINT SCREENSCHARACTERS ETC

TOWIE MIC Well Jel

SIMILARITIESFor each character in the Well Jel cast I had compared them to a character from TOWIE as talked about in Q2 on this slide you will see how the two characters are similar.

These two character are similar to each other, they both wore suits and was supposed to give off there “fun smart image” within their trailers.

These two sets of characters are similar because they act very alike to the other, they are very good friends on screen and care about their appearance, a group of girls is very common in scripted reality.

These two characters have a lot of similarities, they wear the same brands of extravagant clothes but are also very confident and mischievous this is shown on a magazine and posters with interviews with them.

DIFFERENCES There wasn’t much of a difference between characters from Well Jel and TOWIE, however on this slide I will talk about the differences between the on screen relationship and Trailer.

All the TOWIE trailer is shot on the green screen, however Well Jel has location shots to show a different side to the show. Towie does this so the audience can interact with the cast and get to see more of there favourite characters, however with Well Jel it’s a new show and has to leak more storyline information out so people are interested.

Within the Towie trailer a storyline isn't released, they just say what they hope will happen, however with Well Jel, there is quick cuts to location shots showing arguments, fights or romance.

The two images show the contrast between how a location shot could be needed to spice up a trailer an reveal what's going to happen.

SUBVERSIONS (CHALLENGE)The two shows are similar how ever some parts do contrast, within the two trailers quite a few things are different .

For example the Well Jel trailer releases shots of what will happen where as the TOWIE trailer stays on the green screen.

Around the slide you will seed how the Well Jel trailer challenges the TOWIE trailer.

Within the TOWIE trailer there isn't a full shot image of the cast, where as in Well Jel the shot below shows everybody in full outfit & make up which can immediately help create a connection with the characters and the audience.

Within the Well Jel trailer every cast member has extravagant make up on showing that the show is more of a joke humours scripted reality show than Towie, as shown in the pictures below the comparisons of how the make up is different.

The storylines within Well Jel are put out straight away and the audience can easily understand what the main problems are with some characters, including the love hate relationships, the arguments, and the romance,. Those three things are very notable, this gives Well Jel a clear structured trailer. However as compared to Towie which is just simple green screen colourful background shots.

FC The glamorous masthead is similar to the existing brand “Fabulous” it is located at the top of the cover with some of it being blocked by the star in the shot. The text makes the magazine look classy and sophisticated this also helps the colour due to it being black and white it reiterates the “glamorous” wealthy sophisticated look.

The button in the middle of the page will catch the readers eye after they read the title and see the main star, the audience can connect with the button due to it being about new years resolutions which most people intend on setting, if they see a character doing these things from a TV show they watch they will be more inclined to copy them.

The image is of one of the main characters “Rolex” the image is in black and white giving off the classy, glamorous, sophisticated look. However the star is winking showing that he could be perceived as a mischievous or cheeky character.

The slogan anchors well which makes it connect with the image well showing that the character is mischievous saying “ive got the pick of any girl I fancy” which shows in himself he is confident, this also intrigues the audience to read the interview with that character.

The website is located just under the masthead so people can clearly see if they want more information of more of an interview they can go to that and find what they want. This also makes the magazine look professional with every magazine company having a website to interact with there audience.

The side feature includes an existing reality TV star so even if people haven't seen or heard of the main star in the image some people will buy the magazine just to see the existing character talk about accessories.

This feature shows a different side, intriguing audiences who may not like scripted reality but like One Direction opening up the market for people to buy the product.

POSTEREach image is in connection via colour to an other, this gives the audience an idea of a storyline which is going to be portrayed throughout the show.

The “well jel” title in the middle stands out well, it is in the same font as on the trailer logo, this helps create brand identity.

The different poses from the cast vary on each image, this shows the non serious side of Well Jel and the cast look to be having fun.

This image works well within the poster because the star is pointing right at the title, and when the shot is actually on.

This character has a blue background connecting with another cast member, this works well because within the trailer the two are one of the main storylines, this shows consistency throughout the products.

This characters pose is crucial due to the star being into two characters who are just smiling this creates the right balance for the Well Jel audience.

This image connects well with the other yellow block, if remembered in the trailer this character says “romance” where as the other character says “fit men” this could provide a connection to the pink male character.

Each character has equal space within the poster showing equality across the show, however the poses from characters give away another perception of someone.

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