Candidate Details

Candidate Name: Amy Jones
Candidate Number: 6480
Centre Name: Aquinas College
Centre Number: 33435

Soap Opera Brief

Soap Brief

A promotion package for a new soap opera, to include a TV trailer, together with two of the following three options:

- A listings magazine front cover featuring the new soap;
- Two hyperlinked web pages (with video extract) for the soap’s website;
- A poster for the soap.

Soap Opera Trailer - Final

How I reacted to audience feedback;
I have added 3 title cards throughout my soap opera trailer; 'Fractured Friendship', 'Infidelity' and 'Betrayal'. These were added to help the audience understand exactly what is happening in my trailer. These keywords add drama to the video clips and will make the target audience become interested and hopefully want to watch the soap opera once it comes out. I have re-added some video clips into iMovie and trimmed them down again but not too much so that the lines were no longer cut off at the end. I have removed some background noise from mainly the 1st clip so the diegetic dialogue can be heard from the soap opera characters. I have not been able to reduce to background noise completely as the scene was filled in the city centre and noise pollution cannot be helped, but characters can now be heard much more clearly. From adding the new soundtrack I have also managed to get the edits (mainly the title cards) to match with the beat of the music.

Soap Opera Billboard Poster - Final

How I reacted to audience feedback;
I have changed the background to the billboard poster from a soft grey to a brick background covered in graffiti, this was done to represent a stereotypical working-class area. I have also changed my strapline so it directly targets the main storyline of the soap. I have indivudually used photoshop to put all of the characters from the soap together, this was done because in the images where all characters were all together some characters had a shadowed glow from the people infront; so I used the individual photos of each of us so this was no longer a problem. I have also made sure the characters 'Harriet' and 'Abbie' are in the center of the characters as they are the characters displayed in the main storyline. These changes overall have improved the quality of the billboard poster making it more realistic and professional.

Soap Opera Front Cover - Final

 

How I reacted to audience feedback;

By using Photoshop and cutting the main stars into two different layers I moved them closer together, this was to distinguish more of a relationship between the characters, whether it be good or bad. This was also done so I had more room to fit my other features on the page and attract a wider audience. I have minimised the barcode, this was done as it is not an attraction, I don't want something that is not important be the thing the audience see first; I want my other features to pop out on the page. I have enlarged the blue feature box, this was done to make it more noticable to the target audience and they want to find out what 'Trouble In Paradise' is about. The straplines on my features have been cut down a lot, this was done as the target audience would only glance at the magazine on the shop shelf and this would need to attract them straight away. I have also changed the background colour from a murky grey to a soft blue, this was done because although my main stars come with a negative storyline, this magazine needs to stand out from the rest on the shelves. I have changed my subtitles from the main feature to having the same coloured font, this was done to make it easier for the audience to know that they are grouped together. A 'More Channels' logo was added to my main strapline of the front cover, this was done to attract a wider audience and this is a way of competing compared to other soap magazines. I have now made my 'Plus' and 'New' feature buttons with the same font (Arial For Autograph) and the same colours (black font with a yellow box) this was done to keep the magazine codes and conventions consistent; they have also been measured out to the same width all the way around. I have also removed the black outline on the 'TV Weekly' title, this was done to keep with the colour scheme and it just didn't look 'right'. All of these improvements have been used to increase the quality of the front cover; this was useful as this now looks more professional and will attract a wider target audience.

 

Evaluation Question 4 - KeyNote

I have practiced making a Title Card for my Soap Opera Trailer on KeyNote. This title card was created as a sort of advertisement and promoting my Soap Opera Trailer. This included the date and time 'Affleck's Palace' would appear on television.

Evaluation Question 4 - Photoshop

Photoshop was also used to edit my ancillary images. As they were from a green screen, my background colour needed to be changed. I began by using the background eraser to go around and erase the green and zooming right in to make sure the characters didn't have a green glow.

After it has all be erased, I can then go about changing the background colour. But first, I zoomed right in to the characters hair, especially on the girls and used the smudge tool to smooth out their hair as originally it was obvious that this image has been edited; this made the characters look a lot more natural. I chose a background image that would link to how I want the billboard poster to come across. I chose a murky grey as this would reflect the 'dark' I was going for, but this background colour would be changed at a later date as the characters just blended into the background.

I then went to edit, fill to confirm my chosen background colour.

I then changed the fill option to background colour and pressed ok.

 

 

 

Now I have an edited image with the background colour I wanted.

 

 

 

 

As my billboard poster has developed this has now been changed to a brick wall covered in graffiti background, this has been done to connote the typical working class stereotype in the main storyline of the trailer.

My characters have also been switched around to keep with the theme of my other ancillary (front cover) and the trailer. As both of my main characters are the main star image (Harriet and Abby), it would best fit that they are also in the limelight on the billboard poster.

Evaluation Question 4 - HD Cameras

Our group also had HD Cameras to use whilst filming around Manchester. They were able to stay in focus if we needed to track or pan the cameras. The resolution tended to be much higher and sharper than the DSLR's and this was useful when capturing a professional looking Trailer.

Evaluation Question 4 - Still Cameras

Our group used still cameras to capture the scenes for the Soap Opera Trailer (Affleck's Palace). This camera was used as the images come out very clear and detailed. They also have a very quick focus so fast moving images can be captured.

Evaluation Question 4 - YouTube

I have used YouTube to use songs as the soundtrack to my Hollyoaks and Soap Opera (Affleck's Palace) Trailers. These songs can then be downloaded using YouTube Downloader and can be added to iMovie. No Copyright is intended as these trailers are created for educational purposes.

Hollyoaks Trailer;

Soap Opera Trailer (Affleck's Palace);

 

 

 

I have also used YouTube to upload my drafts of my trailers so I am able to share them through the embed code on Blogger. YouTube allows you to add a title to your video and include a description so people know what to expect. This can all be done whilst the video is being uploaded; tags can also be added and a subject area, in this case 'Education' this is used to send the video out to the target audience, it will also be much easier to find from the search bar. Uploading to YouTube is quick and easy as once it has been uploaded it only takes a few minutes for it to be processed completely and added to the website. You can also set your video to be public (anyone on YouTube can see it) or private (where it is only accessible by subscribers).

 

 

The trailer was uploaded to YouTube as well as my trailer to gain as much audience feedback as possible from members of the public so that the feedback given from people I knew wasn't biased. This audience feedback then helped me to see if my products were realistic enough to work in a real-life media environment.

Evaluation Question 4 - DSLR Cameras For Photograhy & Filming

Our group used these cameras to take images for our Soap Opera ancillaries in the Green Screen/Mac Suite.

 

These had very clear and crisp lense shots which didn't pixelate when you zoomed in really close. They brought up every tiny detail which would be useful for very well made ancillaries.

 

 

When it came to uploading the images on the Desktop, these cameras captured the best pictures for editing to create the most professional looking Soap Opera Ancillaries (Front Cover & Billboard).

Evaluation Question 4 - SlideShare

I have used SlideShare to upload my PowerPoint Presentations so I can get the embed code and share them onto my blog. The PowerPoint Presentations are changed into a PDF Format so they can be seen online and interactive for others in my group. This was useful as anyone is able to access these uploads and are able to download them for their own use if needed. I am also able to get a copy from Home.

Evaluation Question 4 - Publisher

I have used Publisher to create my Front Cover and Billboard Poster ancillaries. Whilst creating both ancillaries I had existing ancillaries at the side of the screen so I could see how the codes and conventions work.

 

Evaluation Question 4 - PowerPoint

I have used PowerPoint to create several pieces for my coursework.

Annotating Existing Front Covers;

Soap Opera (Australian Melodramas);

 

Evaluating Each Other's PowerPoint Presentations On One Type Of Soap Opera;

  

Evaluation Question 1;

 

I chose to use this software as it is very straight forward to use. On PowerPoint you are able to include videos, text, images, sound and transitions to you presentations to make for a more interesting way of demonstrate my work.

Evaluation Question 4 - GarageBand

I had a practice using GarageBand to edit the soundtrack for my Soap Opera Trailer. You were able to take a snippet of a soundtrack, this was manipulated so that you could repeat and keep that piece of the soundtrack on a loop.

As I wanted to keep the whole song playing throughout and not just a snippet, GarageBand was not needed to edit my soundtrack.

Evaluation Question 4 - Blogger

Blogger has been used as a way of displaying my coursework.

I have used Blogger to go onto the teacher's blog to see if their is anything that needs to be done or new information that is relevant to the coursework;

I have also used Blogger personally as I have created my own blog to display my coursework on it. Each post has a different topic and it is very useful for my peers and teacher to see how I am doing. Also it is very useful as people can comment on each blog post so this helps when I need audience feedback;









The blog archive is useful as there is easy access to anything you have posted in your blog and it is categorised into year and month;



















I have found Blogger very helpful when uploading my coursework. Blogger enables you to adjust the date of each of your posts so they can be placed in to the order your prefer, it also gives you the option of keeping posts created into a draft, so you can publish it when you want everyone to see at a later date when you are finished. Blogger also includes a 'Update' button on posts; this is useful for when you want to edit your posts by possibly adding something you missed or correcting an error.

Evaluation Question 4 - Twitter

I have used Twitter to interact with my teacher and peers as Social Networking is a very quick and easy way to get in contact. This was another method of gathering audience feedback, I was able to share my ancillaries and Soap Opera Trailer with members of Twitter by copying and pasting the link to my Blogger so their is easy access for everyone. By using Twitter I am able to be in consitent communication with my peers and teacher even when I am not in a lesson, so I can get on with work without the time consuming task of trying to find everyone to ask questions about the work. Twitter was also useful as I could just scroll through my Timeline to see what everyone in my group was up to and I could also leave feedback for them.


 

Interacting with peers for our day out filming in Manchester;

 

Sending my teacher a JPEG of my Soap Opera Front Cover so I am able to get feedback on it;

Interacting with my teacher about organising my blog posts;

Sending my teacher a link to my Billboard Poster 2nd draft on my Blog so I am able to get feedback to improve it;

 

Evaluation Question 4 - iMovie

I have used iMovie to edit my video shots for my Soap Opera Trailer. I have added a soundtrack and cut down shots and lowered background noise to make it more professional.

Evaluation Question 4 - Green Screen

Our group used the green screen in the Mac Suite as a background for out front cover and billboard poster ancillaries. This was used so that when it comes to bringing the pictures up on Photoshop if they need editing, it would be much easier to change the background colour.

During our time in the green screen area our group had the chance to experiment with different types of lighting using a digital compact camera, this lead to a more realistic product being created. The image I then decided to use for my ancillaries would be edited using Adobe Photoshop, editing out the background using the background eraser tool to then replace it with a graffiti-filled brick wall.

Evaluation Question 4 - How Did You Use TECHNOLOGIES In The Research & Planning, Construction & Evaluation Stages?

The following series of posts are how I have used technologies in the research, planning & planning, construction & evaluation stages.

Evaluation Question 3 - What Have You LEARNED From Audience Feedback?

I have also added a series of posts throughout my blog with audience feedback on the Soap Opera ancillaries; front cover and billboard poster, also the Soap Opera Trailer and how I have acted on that.

Evaluation - Question 3 from AJonesMedia2012

Evaluation Question 2 - How Effective Is The COMBINATION Of Your Main & Ancillary Texts?

Evaluation Question 1 - How Did You USE, DEVELOP Or CHALLENGE Codes & Conventions Of Real Media Products?

Evaluation - Question One from AJonesMedia2012

Soap Opera Trailer - Different Soundtrack #2

Experimenting with a different soundtrack; Maximo Park's song 'Going Missing' (Instrumental).

Soap Opera Trailer - Different Soundtrack #1

Experimenting with a different soundtrack; Delphic's song 'Doubt' (Instrumental).

Soap Opera Trailer - 4th Draft

How I reacted to audience feedback;
Firstly, I have removed the title card used at the beginning of the trailer as it just becomes confusing to the audience when exactly the trailer is starting and it is not necessary to use 2 introductions to my soap opera. I have abridged a section of the ITV Ident, this was done so that the audience do not lose interest waiting to see the programme. I have completely removed Taylor Swift's song 'Better Than Revenge' from my soundtrack, the song is in a major key throughout and is simply too loud, drowning out the diegetic dialogue from the characters in the soap. I have been experimenting with different soundtrack and so far have found a more restrained soundtrack; Nickelback's song 'Lullaby'. However, it would be a good idea to try out the soundtrack without the lyrics and just being instrumental.

 

Soap Opera Front Cover - 3rd Draft

 

How I reacted to audience feedback;

For my 3rd draft I included some extra features down the left side of this front cover, this was done to attract a wider audience. I have also edited the colours used on the 'New' feature button, this was done to make the colour scheme more consistent, increasing the quality of the product. Finally, I have removed the 'More Channels' button for now, to replace it with a blue version of the button; this will be done to also keep the colours minimal so that it is in keeping with the typical codes and conventions of a 'Classy' soap opera magazine.



Soap Opera Billboard Poster - 3rd Draft

 

How I reacted to audience feedback;

I begin by changing the background colour to a softer grey rather than black, this was so that all of the characters could be seen more clearly. I also made my font types more consitent, this was to match the ITV Branding and make the billboard poster look more professional. As ITV Only focus on the colours; yellow, white and black I also changed my fonts colours to match this colour scheme. I cut down my strapline to a much crisper sentence as it would catch the audience's eyes much easier and it has become a lot more catchy.

 

Soap Opera Trailer - 3rd Draft

Soap Opera Billboard Poster - 2nd Draft

How I reacted to audience feedback;
I have added a strapline 'Seeking The Truth, Harder Than It Once Seemed...', this was done so that audiences will read and hopefully wonder what the storyline could be about and possibly watch the programme. I have also included the name of the Soap Opera 'Affleck's Palace' so viewers can research into the soap and share it with their friends of social networking sites such as; Facebook and Twitter. I have also included the date when the Soap Opera is due to appear and what channel. The ITV1 channel has been chosen is because many soap operas which are aired on this particular programme focus on the genre of Social Realism and this is also my chosen genre.

Soap Opera Billboard Poster - 1st Draft

Planning Soap Opera Billboard Poster - Mock Up Draft

I have designed what I want my Soap Opera Billboard Poster to look like. The layout has been based on the codes and conventions of existing billboard posters, such as; Twilight and Hollyoaks.

Soap Opera Front Cover - 2nd Draft

 

How I reacted to audience feedback;

This is my second draft for my Soap Opera Front Cover, I have used my audience feedback to improve the Front Cover; I have done this by adding more features to the Front Cover as this would be useful to attract a much bigger target audience.

 

 

 

Soap Opera Billboard Poster - Image

This will be the image used for my billboard poster. All of the characters are perfectly aligned as I wanted them to be and their emotions create an intense look that I wanted it to give off as the storylines have a very 'dark' theme.

Billboard Poster - Examples

This is an example of an Soap Opera Billboard Poster. I would like to show like this 'Emmerdale' poster has done, the main characters from the soap that week. As the storylines in my Soap Opera are quite 'dark' it would be a good idea to have all characters dressed in dark clothing and the background to also include dark colours.

 

Although this 'Twilight' poster isn't an Soap Opera Poster, this is a good example of conventions used in posters with a 'dark' theme. I would like to portray the same emotions of these characters in my Billboard Poster to create the same intense reaction it gives off. The advert used in the left hand corner 'Comic-Con' has been used to advertise that this particular film genre is fictional and will appear at one of the conventions to attract fans of the films.

This billboard poster displays the different groupings and relationships between the characters of this particular film. The poster shows how their are 3 main characters and their seems to be a 'love triangle' between them, showing the close relationships they have with the girl. One of the main stars (right) appears to holding onto the girls arm, this has been done to represent the dominant role he plays over her. The others shown in the poster are also important in that film but aren't included in the main storyline, this is shown as the other characters have been placed much further back showing the hierarchy in this situation.

 

This Hollyoaks billboard poster in the main image layout I will be focusing on. This includes all the codes and conventions needed for a good Soap Opera billboard poster. I think it is useful how they have included the main characters that will be involved in the episode advertised.

This particular billboard poster is dominated by the women, the men are pushed back slightly to show the hierarchy in this situation. The fire which consumes them shows the fierce characters which are involved in this storyline and the drama which will unfolded during the episode. This strapline indicates that their is going to be a serious twist as the programme will not be what it once was. The branding used in Channel4, this is to show the brand identity and so the audience know where to find the programme, this is also true of the date shown so the audience have the ability to tune in if the programme appeals to them.

Soap Opera Trailer - 2nd Draft

How I reacted to audience feedback;
My soap opera trailer so far has had a lot of positive feedback. I will keep my soundtrack as it is as the beat of the music matches a lot of the edits in the trailer and this makes it more enjoyable for the audience to watch. I have also used a crossover effect where their are two different storylines going on at once. The diegetic dialogue has been said to be very clear, this is because I have reduced the background noise on most scenes as the trailer is filmed in a noisy, busy city centre.

However, I have also recieved some constructive criticism which can be used to help me improve the trailer for my second draft. It is advised that I trim down some of the shots as the trailer needs to be fast paced, this will make the edits much sharper. I could also do with including some reverse angle shots could be added so that the audience can see the reaction shots of characters and see their emotions so that they can possible feel empathy for them.

 

 

Soap Opera Front Cover - 1st Draft

Planning Soap Opera Front Cover - Mock Up Draft

I have designed what I want my Soap Opera Front cover to look like. The layout has been based on the codes and conventions of existing front covers, such as; 'Vibe's' October 2007 edition featuring Chris Brown as the main star image and 'Billboard's' June 2010 edition featuring Miley cyrus as the main star image.

Planning For Soap Opera - Front Cover

This is the plan our group used for sorting out the front cover of our Soap Opera magazine front cover. This mindmap includes possible title names, the main star image and the layout of the front cover's conventions and images.

 

Song Originally Used For The Soap Opera Trailer

This is the song I have chosen to use on the Soap Opera Trailer, this song works very well as the lyrics such as; "She took him faster than you can say sabotage." fit with the main storyline in this Soap Opera.

Soap Opera Trailer - 1st Draft

Soap Opera Trailer - Rejected Videos

Deconstruction Of Soap Operas

Deconstruction Of Soap Operas - Final from AJonesMedia2012

Song Used For The Hollyoaks Trailer

Codes & Conventions

Codes & Conventions from AJonesMedia2012

This PowerPoint has been created so when it comes to creating my own ancillaries/print and moving image productions, I will know the success criteria needed to create professional looking media products.

Soap Opera - Script

This is the script our group used to help with our 'Cheating Scene'. We also used images from a Hollyoaks episode to help with the characters positioning, lighting and emotions.