Soap Trailer Analysis 2

Eastenders



This trailer uses non-diegetic music at the start which is part of the theme song for Eastenders- existing audiences will recognise this music and the show it pertains to. As clips from the show begin to play non-diegetic piano music plays as well, which is of a slow pace and gives a sad tone to the trailer, which relates it to the story line. Diegetic dialogue is also shown between characters, such as with Bianca saying "She probably won't even make it through the night", which refers to the character Pat, who is sick. This alerts the viewer of the disruption which has occurred, making them interested into what will happen. The trailer ends with a non-diegetic narration, stating what the show is and when it is shown. Afterwards, part of the Eastenders theme plays but cuts short- this is symbolism which links to the fact Pat is dying and that it is "the end of an Era."

Camera angles within the trailer are over-the-shoulder shots, mid shots and close ups.  The over-the-shoulder-shots and mid shots show character's actions and facial expressions when talking to each other. A close up is used on Janine when Pat says "Because you were the only little girl I had.", as this is an emotional moment and clearly shows the expressions on her face. A mid shot is used towards the end to show the return of a character called David Wicks, showing him outside on his own in the rain- this raises questions for the viewer and makes them curious about what will happen.

Mise-en-scene involved in the trailer involves settings such as the interior of a house- such as the bedroom Pat is in. Another setting is outside in the street, where David is. The fact Pat is in a bed has connotations of her being sick and tired. The rain outside is a use of pathetic fallacy- rain has connotations of sadness and grief, which relates to the story line.   


The narrative of the trailer is focused on one storyline that is in point three of Todorov's theory of equilibrium- recognition of disruption. The disruption in this case is that Pat is dying, and this is used to attract viewers because they may have an emotional attachment to Pat as a character and will want to see how it affects the people around her. Another story line that is also included in the trailer is that the son of Pat returns, although this does not necessarily apply to Todorov's theory of equilibirum.

Few titles are used within the trailer, but they are used at the start, where it says 'The end of a year... The end of an era.", which is used to draw the viewer in. The BBC One logo is also shown beneath that and throughout the whole trailer, as the viewer will be familiar with it and will associate Eastenders with the BBC. Titles are used again at the end, stating what the show is as well as a website link which the viewer can use to actively search for more information. The colours for the titles are simplistic- white on a black background so that they stand out- and the font is suited to the logo of the soap opera and television channel.