Soap Opera - Poster Analysis

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Ancillary Product
Analysis
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio
Name: Chris Jacobs
Candidate Number: 4068
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135

2. Image – This image has been edited in a few ways, one of these is the red tint that has
been mainly on the characters face. This connotes the danger that this character could be
in and with red being related to death as well as it could be a bad sign for this individual.
By making the edge dark it allows the main image which is the storyline to stand out from
the rest of the screen.
Tagline
The tagline used for
this advert can
easily grab the
attention of the
reader with the
effects the words
give off. ‘Walford
will change .Forever.’
That something is
going to happen
that will change the
whole show that no
one has ever seen
before in
EastEnders.
Synergy with social media: The soap could be looking
to attract and open up to a new target market. The hashtag
bringing in Twitter allows viewers to comment on the show
and allows to see other opinions on the episode from
viewers.
Institution Logo: This can create a sense of brand
recognition for the channel by telling the audience what
channel the show is on. By putting the logo in a small
font it can connote that the channel don’t need as much
attention because they are already a big company.

3. Analysis of the EastEnders Poster
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):
• Having the model not to look at the camera because
it gives an effect that the character is in trouble or
guilty of something that she doesn’t want people to
know.
• The use of darkening the image around the edge so
that the main part of the picture needs to viewed
can stand out more from the picture.
• The size of the logo because it doesn’t take any
attention away from the story.

4. Image - The manipulation that is eluded to in this
image is a fiery and burning effect. The denotations of
this is that there could be a fire that is going to occur in
the show. The connotations of this is that characters from
the poster maybe main protagonists in orchestrating or
victim to the fire. None of the characters are looking
straight at the camera could be a sign that they all have
apart to play in the fire or may have seen something that
could link to what has gone on.
Tagline – The tagline’s
denotations are that Hollyoaks will
change forever. This could connote
that the actual actor wants to
leave the show so they are going to
kill them off in traditional soap
style. The dates connote that you
will have to watch every episode in
that time frame to understand the
whole story.
Institution Logo -
This is key for brand
recognition for the
channel to attract a
new market from the
viewers. It allows the
viewers to know when
the show is on and
what channel it’s going
to be on. By expressing
the channel name in a
big font it connotes
that the channel is
looking for viewers to
watch the channel and
so they can show off
the shows they have
on.
Date – The
date displayed
on the poster is
key to knowing
when the show
is actually on.
This suggests
that viewers can
make sure they
watch the show
so they can take
in this big
storyline.

5. Analysis of Hollyoaks Poster
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):
• I would repeat the manipulation of the main image
because it will draw in the attention of the viewer
because of the unusual effect it has.
• The use of the big brand logo because it will give the
channel good brand recognition. This is because they will
know what channel the show will be on and market the
channel as well.
• The use of the date can be a key convention because it
will be able to say when my new soap actually starts, so
it is a good bit of marketing.

6. Main Image: The use
of only one image on
this page because
this is just about
‘Homeland’. What
draws the attention
of the reader is the
use of the effect on
the image , a fade
away effect giving
connotations of the
two sides of the
character in this
show.
This poster is an inspiration but isn’t a soap
opera
Logo: This is key for
brand recognition and
allows the audience to
get the information of
when and where the
show is on. The use of
print text could
connote the sense of
professionalism in the
show.
Colour: The use of the
colour yellow connotes
that there is two sides to
the main protagonist and
that the other character
in this picture is the only
one who can see his other
side.
Masthead: The use of the
backward E in the
masthead can elude to
the two sides of the
character. Also this
connotes that this can
express the dealing of
treason in the US with the
flag being turned upside
down and so the AE is the
wrong way round so tells
us he went against his
country.

7. Analysis of Homeland Poster
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980)
• The fading of the image because of the effect
it gives on the type of personality the main
protagonist is in the show.
• The use of the masthead having one letter
reversed is good because it gives a
connotations of the characters in the show
once again, there two sided nature.

8. Student Exemplar Work – Textual Analysis
Image – There has been a use of manipulation on this image to give it a desired effect.
This connotes this in this image with the use of the wedding dress in the poster that
main story revolves around the marriage of two people. The use of only putting colour
on the children's toys connote that a child will be a key part of this soap opera. By the
ma looking at ground it can connote he is guilty and can’t look at the woman in the eye
connoting that he has betrayed someone most likely his wife.
Synergy with
Social media: The
soap opera can
looking to widen
there target
demographic .
This is connotes a
use of the
hashtag so
viewers can
interact with one
another, on the
past episode and
what they think
of the concept of
this new soap
opera.
Date: The date is
displayed on this
poster and is key
to letting the
audience know
when the show is
on. This connotes
that the viewers
need to make
sure they are free
at this time to
watch the show
and engage with
the storyline
eluded to into the
poster.

9. Analysis of Student Exemplar Poster
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):
• The use of a range of colours that express the
connotations of the storyline.
• The use of the big brand logo. It make sure that all
the viewers know what and when the show is on and
which specific channel.
• The use of a main image connoting many storylines.
This gives the viewer more interest into the various
storylines that are used in the show.