6/26/2014
6/24/2014
6/19/2014
Audience and Realism of Soap Operas (Jake Matthews)
Audience and Realism of Soap Operas
Audiences:
The audiences targeted differ from soap to soap, but essentially they all target the same base group – those enticed by the undemanding nature and low level of concentration needed to stay caught up with the storyline.
Some soaps are targeted at an older audience (such as Emmerdale) and same are targeted at a much younger audience (such as Hollyoaks). Hollyoaks caters to its younger audience by featuring a generally younger set of characters.
Audiences may also relate to what is being portrayed, with the genre's popularity coming partly from the viewer's need after the events of their day to find out what happened in the characters’ same day. Due to this, the viewer can often gain pleasure from the notion that everyday life in the soaps is 'real' and on-going just as our lives are.
Realism:
Soaps will very rarely (if at all) use any unnecessary editing. This is to keep it as close and as accurate to reality as possible. If the soap is inaccurate and unrealistic, then typically it will lose popularity, since that is what attracts the viewers in the first place. Furthermore, the date and time corresponds with the real world, so one episode will be one day, and Christmas in the soap opera will be at the same time as Christmas in reality.
Typically, soaps tend to tackle controversial or difficult situations seen in modern society. Issues such as suicide, abortion, murder, and numerous other ethical issues are portrayed to inform and represent these issues in the real world. Sometimes, the way these issues are shown can cause controversy and outcry from the public or organisations set up to deal with the issue that is being portrayed.
More often than not, the truth can be distorted until the reality of the situation is revealed. However, there are also times where the audience know what is going on, but a character within does not – known as dramatic irony. For example, when Roxy Mitchell murders Carl White in EastEnders, we know what happened because we were shown. However, when his Mother comes looking for him, we see Roxy telling her that she does not know her son’s whereabouts – while we know that she is lying.
Audiences:
The audiences targeted differ from soap to soap, but essentially they all target the same base group – those enticed by the undemanding nature and low level of concentration needed to stay caught up with the storyline.
Some soaps are targeted at an older audience (such as Emmerdale) and same are targeted at a much younger audience (such as Hollyoaks). Hollyoaks caters to its younger audience by featuring a generally younger set of characters.
Audiences may also relate to what is being portrayed, with the genre's popularity coming partly from the viewer's need after the events of their day to find out what happened in the characters’ same day. Due to this, the viewer can often gain pleasure from the notion that everyday life in the soaps is 'real' and on-going just as our lives are.
Realism:
Soaps will very rarely (if at all) use any unnecessary editing. This is to keep it as close and as accurate to reality as possible. If the soap is inaccurate and unrealistic, then typically it will lose popularity, since that is what attracts the viewers in the first place. Furthermore, the date and time corresponds with the real world, so one episode will be one day, and Christmas in the soap opera will be at the same time as Christmas in reality.
Typically, soaps tend to tackle controversial or difficult situations seen in modern society. Issues such as suicide, abortion, murder, and numerous other ethical issues are portrayed to inform and represent these issues in the real world. Sometimes, the way these issues are shown can cause controversy and outcry from the public or organisations set up to deal with the issue that is being portrayed.
More often than not, the truth can be distorted until the reality of the situation is revealed. However, there are also times where the audience know what is going on, but a character within does not – known as dramatic irony. For example, when Roxy Mitchell murders Carl White in EastEnders, we know what happened because we were shown. However, when his Mother comes looking for him, we see Roxy telling her that she does not know her son’s whereabouts – while we know that she is lying.
6/17/2014
Archetypal Soap Opera Characters (Thomas Brown)
Archetypal
soap opera characters
The Ultimate Power
Couple
A popular or wealthy pairing that receives public interest. The couple may face obstacles within the story line that prevent them being together, for example social class, but ultimately prevail and become 'the power couple'. Due to the nature of soap operas, there is no closure for the characters and so many power couples often divorce and then re-marry, sometimes on more than one occasion.
Example: Ken and Deidre (Coronation Street)
Someone who is not expected to excel or achieve in their
endeavors. They may be victim of social injustice and so there opportunities in life are restricted.
Example: Heather (EastEnders)
The Super Villain
Someone who commits ‘evil’ deeds within the story line and
shows ‘evil’ intent within the story line of the soap opera. This character causes negativity for the other characters in the show. They are usually involved crime and are disliked by the members of the audience.
Example: Fraser Black (Hollyoaks)
The Girl Next door
A character who is perceived as familiar to the audience and
appears trustworthy and dependable. They may also be seen in this way in the context of a romantic relationship. This character represents purity on the show.
Example: Tina McIntyre (Coronation Street)
The Wayward Youth
A young on the show character who wants their own way regardless of the view
or actions of others. They often act against the wishes of the other characters to achieve their desires.
Example: Lauren Branning (EastEnders)
The Rebel
A person who rises in opposition/resistance against an
establishment. This character causes issues for themselves and potential for other characters on the show.
Example: David Platt (Coronation Street)
The Straight Laced Good Guy
A character that has good with good
conduct and/or morality. They are seen as kind and caring by the other characters as well as the audience members.
Example: Dennis Savage (Hollyoaks)
The Vamp
A character that is always played by a woman. The vamp is someone who is perceived as having certain 'evil' traits, but also has sex appeal. This character uses there sexual nature to manipulate those around them.
Example: Janine Butcher (EastEnders)
The Matriarch
A character who is always a woman. The Matriarch is head of a family or an organisation and therefore has great power and respect within this group and other characters on the show. This character may also be strong mother-figure.
Example: Moira Barton (Emmerdale)
The Bungler
A character who works and/or acts ineptly and inefficiently
within society. This character continually makes mistakes and rarely achieves their goals smoothly and without something going wrong. The audience get pleasure from the comedy that comes from the characters wrongdoings.
Example: Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)
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