Soap Opera Questions

Why were they nicknamed ‘soaps’?

The term “soap opera" originated from the fact that when these serial dramas were aired on daytime radio, the commercials aired during the shows were largely aimed at housewives. Many of the products sold during these commercials were laundry and cleaning items, and included a jingle praising the product. This specific type of radio drama came to be associated with these particular commercials, and this gave rise to the term "soap opera" — a melodramatic story that aired commercials for soap products.

Who are they traditionally aimed at?

They are mainly aimed at housewives who would stay at home and it is based around the certain time that housewives would be at home to be able to watch the programmes.

Where and when did soap operas originate?

‘Soap operas’ originated from the radio, and then it got turned into a tv show which was aimed at housewives. They started airing soap operas on the tv in the 1950-60’s. ‘The Guilding Light’ was the first soap opera to be aired on tv in 1953.

What is the longest running british soap and when did it start?

Coronation Street - first broadcast on 9th December 1960, so has been running for almost 47 years.

This is a rejected photo for the front cover as I find that the lighting in this photo isn't good enough and that we had a better range of other photos. Also the emotion on the 'stars' faces aren't clear enough to go with the storyline.

Soap Magazine Analysis

 Hollyoaks is now sponsered by nikon, money, use phone and camera to create as a new audience.
- One storyline, two sides through Jaqui and Mercedes
- Two shot, Pauls face dominates the frame which quickly gets the realtionship across to the audience.
- Takes ups more than half the frame, dominant in relationship. In flat/house windows personal belongings, window light and clothes, non verbal communication.
- His face is in focus, his eyes are on hers and body language facing her. She is blurred you can’t see all her face.
- Trapping Mercedes ‘’Nothing you can do will push me away.’’ She isn’t meeting his eyes shes looking down, displaying negative body language, her hair is covering the other half of her face.
- ‘’Ive never seen a man so..... obessed, with me’’ Following the same character but different place, Kitchen with Jaqui.
- Establishing shot, Mercedes in focus, Jaqui out of focus. This shows where they are in relation to eachother. Mercedes facial features show and portray confusion. She is now in focus and dominates the frame.
- Yellow light means its not daylight, therefore in a house of flat – Softer light makes her feel safer.
- Paul in a different location, watching Mercedes and Riley.
- Pauls point of view – Linked to his obsession – proving the point.
- Music sounds like heartbeat, creating suspense.
- ''The girl needs help.''
- 3 shots of Jaqui, Crawling, taking something, then shocked.
- Apperance changes, blinds, intray, decor, plug sockets, filling cabinet, clock, PLACE OF WORK.
- 5 seconds gives three weeks worth of script – making the audience want to watch the show.
- Next scene, five missed calls from Jaqui, the audience understands by looking ov er the shoulder of the character, without a point of view shot.
- Jaqui is ringing again and Mercedes is with Paul, the ringing still echoes in the background to prove shes ignoring Jaqui.
- Paul is above Mercedes in the shot to show his dominance, she appears vunerable, ‘I love you’ ‘I...’ ‘Say it’ - Nurse in the background, In the hospital rushing out of his place of work saying ‘It’s mercy shes in danger’. (Jaqui running into flat.)
- Dominant storyline

Melodramas

Magazine Front Cover