G324 Advanced Media Portfolio 0210 0129 0020

9/05/2014

Basic draft for sample soap operas - to be completed

The first of the example soap operas shown was Two Rivers. The most striking aspect of this clip was the music, which further added to the mystery that was portrayed through their use of Mise en scene. The material shown was appropriate to the task, with the single storyline plot being intriguing and easy to follow which are key traits of a good soap opera.

The second clip was Manor Drive, which gave off an odd first impression due to a continuity error and a questionable choice of actions for the first character seen. She drives the car and parks up, then it cuts to her getting out from the back of the car, then proceeding to lock the front passenger side door of the car. However, the rest of the trailer begins to pick up and improve. Some friends are seen laughing and drinking in a pub, then a bottle is spun with the camera inside it, not only showing all the characters around the table, but also landing on the girl as she arrives – creating a tense and dramatic moment, although the odd representation of blood soon after was less impressive.

Thirdly was Standalone, the best out of them all. This was very impressive from the start to the finish, with no mistakes or questionable choices throughout. The best features included the mosaic title sequence to conclude, and the man who flicks the cigarette at the same time as firing the gun – in slow motion. The material contained was also well chosen, with a mix of everything you would expect to see in a soap opera.

Lastly was The Avenue, which was the least clear and easy to understand which is vital for a good soap opera. Although it utilised numerous camera angles and editing features, it was blown away by the prior example.