The Narrative: Open and fractured narrative, sometimes with forking paths to show different perspectives of a situation or event. In Todorov's Theory, a disturbance is always recognised but there is not always equilibrium before this. Usually, only a victim or villain is recognised from Propp's Theory in a soap opera trailer.
Titles: The channel is sometimes displayed at the bottom of the shot throughout the trailer but the final titles include the channel, time and day that the soap opera is broadcasted. If titles appear during the trailer, there are few.
Mise-en-Scene: The locations are predominantly interior as seen in soap opera episodes, except for special events or episodes where more exterior locations may be used. Locations usually include homes (interior and exterior), pubs and cafes. Costumes are darker, specifically with those characters involved in the disturbance and props used by characters are minimal and used to set the atmosphere or highlight the disturbance. A non-diegetic soundtrack is used throughout the trailer and a voice-over will be heard at the end of the trailer. If the soap opera has a jingle, this will also be used as a sound bridge at the end of the trailer. Lighting is lower in the shots where the disturbance is recognised and higher where it is not, except for when juxtaposition is used.
Camera Angles: Close ups, mid-shots and two-shots. Over-the shoulder shots may also be used as these also appear in soap opera episodes. Angles are not necessarily used to keep the audience feeling engaged in the scenes but may be used to signify inferiority and superiority.
Editing Style: Short shots, generally lasting between 1 and 5 seconds maximum so not much is given away. Razor cuts, fades and fade-to-blacks are used throughout following the typical trailer style.
When we come to storyboard and create our own soap opera trailer, we will ensure that all of these elements are incorporated into our piece so that we produce the most realistic and effective trailer.
Charlotte Morrison
