Research: Representations.

Representations are a great way that reflect a character's personality. In almost every Soap, there's certain characters that can be compared to characters in other soaps. Below is a list of the different representations that I feel are within soap operas. 


1) Strong, Independent Female.
Each Soap Opera has, or has had experience of a female character that is seen as both 'Strong' and also 'Independant'.
Whilst at first, Stella of Coronation Street was probably seen as 'foolish' for taking back her cheating husband Karl, she has over come this as her role of the pub Rover Returns landlord.
Peggy Mitchell of Eastenders was also a pub landlord, and despite all the trouble and trauma that her character suffered throughout her life, she too overcome this.

Real Life Representation: Caitlin Moran.
I am a HUGE fan of Caitlin Moran, and as her feminist values go, I believe that she is the perfect portrayal for any strong, independent female. In her book named 'How to be a Woman', you learn that at in her late teens/early twenties, she was involved with  a guy who didn't treat her right. He constantly ridiculed her etc, but she overcome this, ended things with him, and now she doesn't care what people think or say about her which is why I believe she represents a 'strong, independent female'.

2) Male, Always Involved In Crime...
The Soap Opera that I most feel reflects this representation is Eastenders. Over the years, the Southern community of 'Walford' in London has attracted a lot of males that seem to be a victim of, and also the perpetrator of vicious crime.

Phil Mitchell for example, has been involved in drug addiction, car crashes, a LOT of fighting etc.

Same for Derek Branning, who had a 'mob like' character about him. He too was involved in murder, fighting etc, before he was killed off in the 2012 Christmas Special after he suffered a heart attack.

3) Young, Pretty Female Who Is Loved By Males... 
Similar to my first example of a representation, each Soap Opera currently has at least one character that portrays this representation, or has had a number of previous examples that can relate to it. It is an example of 'girls want to look like her, whilst guys want to be with her'.

The current example in Hollyoaks at the moment is probably Theresa McQueen. She is blonde, she is pretty, she has a nice figure, and gains a lot of male attention within the Soap. Jorgie Porter - the girl who plays Theresa - is often a regular hit in lists such as 'FHMs Sexiest Women' etc.

4) Young, Good Looking Male Who Is Loved By Females...
This is the same as Representation Number Three, but from a Male Perspective. It is also the same example of 'Guys want to look like him, whilst Girls want to be with him'.

Joey Branning from Eastenders is one example that I feel is appropriate for this representation. Despite being in the Soap for only a few months, he has already had plenty of female attention.
David Witts - the name of the guy who plays the character - also won 'Sexy Male' at the Soap Awards.

5) The Old 'Nosey' Character...
The character Norris in Coronation Street is the best example of portraying this representation, though each Soap Opera has an example.

Norris is always interfering with other people's gossip, and sharing his opinions, though this tends to add a humourous aspect to the Soap, making it funnier to watch.

Norris's 'friend' (It has never really being revealed whether or not they are in a relationship or what not), Mary, is also the same.

6) Ethnic Families...
As we now live in multi cultural societies, it is always vital that Soap Operas keep up to date to form a  sense of realism on how our society is.
In Coronation Street, the example of an Ethnic Family would be Dev and Sunita.
In Eastenders, the example of an Ethnic Family would be the Masoods.

7) The Rebellious Teenager...
In each Soap, there is at least one character that is seen as the stroppy, rebellious teenager.
In Coronation Street, Rosie Webster was an example.

Planning: Potential Risk Hazards.

The potential hazards that both myself, and cast members are at risk of when filming my enchanted style soap opera advert. 

Planning: Costumes

Name: Blue.
Character: Hansel.
Costume: White, stripey long sleeved t-shirt. Brown, knee length, shorts. White socks.
Prop(s): Bread - To throw on the floor.

Name:
Character: Gretel.
Costume: Hair in plaits. White stripey long sleeved t-shirt. Skirt. White socks.
Prop(s): Bread - To throw on the floor.

Name: Emily.
Character: Snow White.
Costume: Yellow vest top. Long flowing blue skirt. Hair put up with a red ribbon.
Prop(s): Wine glass (Filled with Ribena).

Name: Natalie.
Character: Wicked Witch.
Costume: Witches Hat, Black Dress, Ripped Tights, Heels.
Prop(s): Something to 'spike' Snow White's drink. 

Name: Alx.
Character: Cinderella.
Costume: Blue Dress. Hair left flowing with a ribbon. High Heels.
Prop(s):

Name: Danny.
Character: Prince Charming.
Costume: Suit.
Prop(s): A ring to 'propose' with.

Name:
Character: Little Red Riding Hood.
Costume: A red cloak. Black leggings.
Prop(s):

Name:
Character: The Big Bad Wolf.
Costume: A wolf onesie.
Prop(s):

Research: Locations in A Soap Opera.

1) Houses.
Each family within the Soap Opera has their own house with distinctive features which allows the audience to differentiate in scenes whether or not a certain character is in their own home. For example, in Coronation Street, characters such as Ken and Deidre have 'old furnished' type of interiors inside their house compared to a younger character's house such as Maria who has modern type furnishing.

2) A Pub.
The Pub in any Soap Opera is a place where people are able to chat to one another, and usually this is where the audience find any gossip out that is going on. This creates a sense of realism as in reality, people often meet in their local pub, or a cafe to catch up with friends, which usually leads to gossip being distributed.

However, as Hollyoaks has more of a younger fan base, their viewers are less likely to spend time in pubs (underage etc) which is why the gossip is often distributed in the cafe.

Hollyoaks - The Dog.

3) A Local Shop.
This is also a ground base for gossip, as it is similar to the pub in a sense that it is a 'community' place.

4) A Place where they can all work. 
Eastenders - The Market.
Corrie - Underworld.

5) A Cafe. 
Another social 'gathering' environment.
Eastenders - Ian Beale's Cafe.

Research: Reader Profile

This is my own Reader Profile which I have used as a way of portraying my specified target audience of my Soap Opera advertisement.

As I want to attract an audience similar to that of Hollyoaks (Teenagers, Young Adults, Predominantly Female), I have looked at what the audience of Hollyoaks do as part of their leisure time, and tried to evaluate this in the above image.

The 'E4' channel predominantly serves the needs of young adults by broadcasting television programmes that they are likely to enjoy. Hollyoaks is often broadcasted daily on E4, as is the Hollyoaks omnibus on a weekend.

As stereotypes go, the average teenager/young adult is portrayed as 'technology obsessed' so mobile phones, iPods, laptops and any similar technology based product is likely to be an interest to the target audience.

Youtube, an internet service which allows users to post videos, or simply just be able to watch videos, doesn't necessarily have a specific target audience as it is widely used worldwide by people of all ages. YouTube is likely to be of an interest to the target audience of my Soap Opera Advertisement as they are going to be students, and likely earning a low wage and watching videos of Youtube is a free way of doing so, meaning saving of money.

By portraying real life situations that people from the target audience can likely relate too, it creates a sense of realism and something that the target audience can think about, and relate too if they have ever experienced that. For example, binge drinking can be an issue for young people in society, which is why I plan on using Snow White as the 'binge drinker' and getting the Wicked Witch to 'spike' her drink as a way of portraying the dangerous outcomes that can happen whilst participating in drinking.

Research: Codes and Conventions (Adverts)

Adverts are the most conventional way of promoting a brand, product or anything really. Most major brands have an advertisement of some sort, and can be in the form of a televison advert, a billboard, a magazine advertisement and a whole variety of other different examples.

As a whole, advertisements have their own codes and conventions which they don't necessarily need to be followed.

'Go Compareeeeeeeeeeee!' - Catchy Songpharse

 

 

He may be one of the most irritating characters that has ever been on the television, but his repeated 'Go Compare, Go Compare' songs get stuck in your mind - precisely what it is meant to do. If you think of car insurance, one of the first companies that you think of is 'Go Compare' which means that the catchy but annoying song has done it's job.

 

 



 

Humour and Comical Situations

 

 

Admittedly, we might not have all crazily sung at a passing car whose driver then later turns out to be your new girlfriend's Dad, but I'm certain we can all relate to a sitaution where it has been just as awkward, but humorous at the same time.

 

The thing I like about this advert is that the more you watch the advert, the humour in it doesn't decerase and it is still as comical to watch as it was the first time.

 

 



Content That Relates To The Audience

 

Cheesestrings are predominantly targetted at children, and the cheesestring mascot as seen above features in most of their adverts. It acts as a 'pushing power' making children want to buy the product, so pestering their parents in to doing so.

 

 





Post Modern Ideas

 

One aspect of Post Modernism is that no relevance is needed - it's how the audience interpret it. This advert of the drumming gorilla has no relevance to the Cadbury's chocolate being promoted, but it was still loved by households across the nation.

 

Knowledge of the advert was soon passed through word of mouth and soon became a popular talking point, discussing the advert bus also at the same time increasing Cadbury's popularity.