Soap Trailer Analysis 1

Neighbours



This soap opera trailer primarily uses non-diegetic narration alongside camera shots to get across information to the audience. The narration introduces the show by saying "One little Aussie street..." alongside an animation clip with the road sign saying 'Ramsay St.', which relies on audience familiarity to indicate what the trailer is about. The line "...is about to be hit by a mega-drama" is used to make the audience curious about the show and hook their attention onto the trailer. It is from here that clips from the show are shown, and diegetic dialogue is used. Alongside the narration and diegetic dialogue, fast-paced non-diegetic music is used to show heightened tension and conflict between characters. Characters' names are also introduced through narration to give the viewer more information about the story line and make them more interested.

The narration line "Who's side of the street will you be on?" directly questions the viewer and helps to persuade them into watching the show, particularly with the use of the word 'you'. The last clip from the show involves dialogue in which characters are arguing and shouting, which brings about connotations of drama, problem and conflict- therefore giving the viewer more insight into the story line and ultimately helping to attract their attention. Finally, the narration lists when Neighbours is shown and the channel it is broadcasted on, in order to give the audience key information should they decide to watch it.

Camera shots used within the trailer are over-the-shoulder shots, close-ups and mid shots. The over-the-shoulder shots and mid shots are used to show conversations between characters and character's expressions. A close-up shot is used to focus on the words 'carpenters mechanics', which is related to the story line and helps to make the viewer curious. The way the camera shots show the conversations between people help to illustrate the conflict and problems that are going on, such as the hand actions and facial expressions when two of the characters are arguing and shouting. 

The mise-en-scene used within the trailer shows various settings surrounding the story line- such as the inside of a workplace, a garage and the interiors of various people's homes. This brings about verisimilitude as it reflects real life locations in which arguments and conflict can occur. The clothing of various characters helps to indicate the types of characters- such as Tony, who is wearing a suit, which shows that he is middle-class and has a job that may involve something such as office work, which is a contrast to Paul's clothing of a leather jacket, which has connotations of being more working class and being involved in practical work. Props are also used within the trailer, such as Paul using a laptop. The look of concentration on his face whilst using it perhaps suggests he is researching something, which may be relevant to the story line.

The narrative of the trailer focuses on there being conflict between two characters- Tony and Paul- and that the viewer may decide which side they are on when watching the show. This relates to point two and three of Todorov's theory of equilibrium, in which the equilibrium has been disrupted and then recognised. Conflict and drama are issues that can often attract audiences, as they can become curious and interested into what the conflict is about and how it will be resolved- and this trailer tries to make the viewer feel that.

There is limited, simplistic titling used within the trailer, such as at the beginning with 'Ramsay St.' and the small titles used at the bottom right which say 'New 6.30 weekdays.' The small titling in the corner is not too distracting from the actual content but also gives key information needed to watch the show. At the end of there are large titles which say the same thing, accompanied by the narration to repeat it. The colours used for the titling throughout are blue and purple, which may be distinct to the channel Neighbours is shown on in order to make it familiar.