Evaluation Task 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I had to choose 9 images to represent the following 9 areas of forms and conventions. Use these as sub-headings and briefly explain each one.

1. Title

This title is used to formally and clearly present the name of our soap opera trailer. The basic font, complimented by the boldness of the text makes it clear to the audience to the name of soap opera without giving anything away as the next extreme long shot establishes the setting/location. However it can be argued that this title challenges the conventions of the soap opera genre due to the fact the majority of the popular soap operas featured on TV in the contemporary UK feature some sort of establishing shot or image of the location/setting of the soap opera.

2. Setting

This is an extreme long shot/establishing shot which immediately establishes the setting of the soap opera which is located within a small street in North London. The terraced housing is synonymous with the working class thus being an appropriate class representation within soap operas as the lower classes are often prominent. The significance of the car is later revealed when the daughter of the Michael family exits due to her surprises return to The Street. This shot conforms with the soap opera genre based on the realism of the road, nothing out of the ordinary is featured within this shot which is conventional of the genre.

3. Costume

The shirt that Benjamin is seen wearing is typical of working class service sector occupations such as admin jobs. The costume, more specifically mise-en-scene helps establish the class of the characters due to the audience using social class/cultural indicators.

The costume worn by Dwayne clearly represents the stereotypical image of Afro-Caribbean youth who are portrayed in the media as rebellious and troublesome creating anarchy in the streets of London. Immediatley Dwayne's character seems troublesome due to his clothing which is synonymous with the youth gang culture in modern society e.g. 'Hoodies', therefore Dwayne is conforming to the stereotype.

4. Props

The cars used within the soap opera trailer are the biggest and most significant props, especially the van seen in the background as vans are often associated with the working class as those who drive them are blue collar skilled manual workers.

5. Cinematography

Michelle is not revealed entirely within this shot as the camera maintains its low angle position.  Despite this, the viewer can gather that she is a female based on her provocative clothing (mise en scene), but it provokes curiosity as he role within the narrative is unknown. Nevertheless the audience know she is an important contribution to the narrative as the car is such a prominent prop within this particular shot thus assuming the passenger is of equal importance.

This is a medium shot of Benjamin which utilizes the rule of thirds as you can clearly see his characters face is only features within the left third of the frame thus focusing the audience’s attention on his character. This shot is close enough to show both the characters facial expressions and body language in order to convey certain aspects of the narrative without the use of dialogue, hence the non diagetic soundtrack overwhelming the dialogue within this particular scene.

6. Narrative

Including all three characters within one shot (medium long shot) allows the audience to see the significance of the characters, thus introducing them as a family. The return of Michelle, the troublesome daughter of both Hayley and Benjamin is introduced by the dialogue during the argument where Benjamin shouts, “She’s our daughter, alright!” therefore ensuring the audience is aware of the parents and eventually their daughter.

7. Introduction of Characters

Michelle is concealed beneath the shadows within the car thus remaining anonymous until the very end of the trailer. However the constant arguing between Benjamin and Hayley hints to the audience throughout the trailer that Michelle is returning to the street.

Michelle still remains anonymous as her face is not revealed until the very end, however as she approaches the door the audience assume she is participating within the central narrative thus possibly being the daughter returning to the street.

8. Genre

Conventions of the soap opera genre include using issues within other media text such as newspaper and portray them within a narrative. For example Benjamin is on the verge of hitting Hayley, domestic abuse is a prevalent issue within the media and is also very controversial thus appropriate and typical for the soap opera genre.

This shot in particular is the epitome of the soap opera genre, this shot is similar to the title shot of Coronation Street and Emmerdale as they feature establishing shots of the location/setting. Based on the conventions of the soap opera genre, realism is an important aspect thus choosing a realistic and gritty location to host our soap opera, therefore conforming to the conventions of the genre.

Overall I feel our media product, more specifically our soap opera trailer conforms to the conventions of the soap opera genre as it was necessary in order to consider it a 'soap'. Very rarely does our trailer challenge the conventions of the genre, for instance in terms of characters, location, mise en scene and narrative our soap opera follows the soap conventions. However the title is considerably bland based on the title being placed over a black background, although this isn't challenging the conventions of the genre, instead it just doesn't follow them rigidly. Rather taking a more modern and contemporary approach with the use of slow motion during the argument scene, this doesn't disengage the audience from the illusion that the soap is rea, instead it enhances the experience and intensifies Benjamin's emotions. To conclude our advanced production generally conforms to the soap opera genre.