Q1 – How did you USE, DEVELOP, or
CHALLENGE codes and conventions
of real media products.
Harley Clarke

Soap Operas
A 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 • Promotes the • Multiple • Brand identity
• Stereotypes such as, gangster, programme features via logo
tart, bully • Varies in length 25- • Brand • Bright
• Realistic, cathartic storylines 115seconds identity colourful
• Lighting reflects mood • Teaser/little snippet created via images /
• Variety of camera shots of events masthead background
• Little or Extreme make up • Highlights key • Highlights • Dominant/
• Parallel narratives features key features interesting
• Regional • Big budget costs • Images title
• Costumes create stereotypes • Creates interest • Websites • Clear images
• Location reflects characters • Beats match edits • Strapline • Good layout
• Conflict between the characters • Date of • Anchored • Anchored
showing/release images/text slogan
• Shows storylines • Barcodes • Subheadings
without giving away • Prizes • Easy to read
to much crucial • Rule of thirds font
information

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 pre
arranged by the production company”
Reality TV came onto our TV screens around 1999-2000 with the two biggest shows being Big Brother and
Survivor, these all had real people in it with a celebrity special added after the “normal” one had finished. The
people inside it had to do the tasks however the producers decided what happened when e.g. In Big Brother
food was took away for misbehaving.
Scripted reality emerged globally via such shows as Desperate Housewife's & Jersey Shore, however in England
it took a little longer for scripted reality to make it onto a TV companies shows, in 2011 a show called “The Only
Way Is Essex started. At first the characters were mocked and laughed at however nearly 2 years on the show is
watched by at least 75% of the UK. After seeing “TOWIES” success on Itv2 E4 looked for an answer to dip into
the scripted reality market and came up with “Made In Chelsea” this aired near the end of 2011. Both of these
shows 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 are
things which will all create “good TV” the themes allow the audience to connect with
the characters and create “favourite” ones which can lead to social networking
interaction 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 Chelsea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sprSMdXK1MY
• Well Jel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hPPd1BcSh4

PRINT SCREENS
CHARACTERS ETC
TOWIE MIC Well Jel

SIMILARITIES
For each character in the Well Jel cast I had These two characters
compared them to a character from TOWIE as have a lot of
talked about in Q2 on this slide you will see how the similarities, they wear
two characters are similar. the same brands of
extravagant clothes
but are also very
confident and
mischievous this is
These two character are similar to shown on a magazine
each other, they both wore suits and and posters with
was supposed to give off there “fun interviews with them.
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.

DIFFERENCES
There wasn’t much of a difference between
characters from Well Jel and TOWIE, Within the Towie trailer a
however on this slide I will talk about the storyline isn't released,
differences between the on screen they just say what they
relationship and Trailer. 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.
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.

SUBVERSIONS (CHALLENGE)
The two shows are similar how ever some parts
do contrast, within the two trailers quite a few The storylines within Well Jel are put out
things are different . straight away and the audience can easily
understand what the main problems are
For example the Well Jel trailer releases shots of with some characters, including the love
what will happen where as the TOWIE trailer hate relationships, the arguments, and the
stays on the green screen. romance,. Those three things are very
notable, this gives Well Jel a clear structured
Around the slide you will seed how the Well Jel trailer. However as compared to Towie
trailer challenges the TOWIE trailer. which is just simple green screen colourful
background shots.
Within the TOWIE trailer there isn't a full
Within the Well Jel trailer every cast member has shot image of the cast, where as in Well
extravagant make up on showing that the show is Jel the shot below shows everybody in
more of a joke humours scripted reality show than full outfit & make up which can
Towie, as shown in the pictures below the comparisons immediately help create a connection
of how the make up is different. with the characters and the audience.

The website is located just
under the masthead so people
can clearly see if they want
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
more information of more of an the shot. The text makes the magazine
interview they can go to that look classy and sophisticated this also
and find what they want. This helps the colour due to it being black
also makes the magazine look and white it reiterates the “glamorous”
professional with every wealthy sophisticated look.
magazine company having a
website to interact with there The slogan anchors well which
audience. makes it connect with the
image well showing that the
character is mischievous saying
The side feature includes an “ive got the pick of any girl I
existing reality TV star so even fancy” which shows in himself
if people haven't seen or heard he is confident, this also
of the main star in the image intrigues the audience to read
some people will buy the the interview with that
magazine just to see the character.
existing character talk about
accessories. The button in the middle of the
page will catch the readers eye
The image is of one of the after they read the title and see
main characters “Rolex” the the main star, the audience can
image is in black and white connect with the button due to
giving off the classy, it being about new years
glamorous, sophisticated resolutions which most people
look. However the star is intend on setting, if they see a
winking showing that he This feature shows a different side, intriguing character doing these things
could be perceived as a audiences who may not like scripted reality but from a TV show they watch they
mischievous or cheeky like One Direction opening up the market for will be more inclined to copy
character. people to buy the product. them.

POSTER
The different poses from the cast
Each image is in connection via vary on each image, this shows the This image works well within the
colour to an other, this gives the non serious side of Well Jel and the poster because the star is
audience an idea of a storyline cast look to be having fun. pointing right at the title, and
which is going to be portrayed when the shot is actually on.
throughout the show.
Each character has equal
space within the poster
showing equality across the
The “well jel” title in the middle show, however the poses from
stands out well, it is in the same characters give away another
font as on the trailer logo, this perception of someone.
helps create brand identity.
This character has a blue
This characters pose is background connecting with
This image connects well with the another cast member, this
other yellow block, if remembered crucial due to the star
being into two characters works well because within the
in the trailer this character says trailer the two are one of the
“romance” where as the other who are just smiling this
creates the right balance main storylines, this shows
character says “fit men” this could consistency throughout the
provide a connection to the pink for the Well Jel audience.
products.
male character.

Mood Board