Thursday, 16 June 2011

Soap opera conventions

To create a soap opera as an individual and as a group we need to understand the characteristics of a soap opera. Understanding the conventions of this unique genre I will be able to create an advance piece of work. Basic conventions:
-          A dramatic storyline constantly continuing to create new plotting and links itself from day to day stories in the soap.
-          Each character has a secret; dramatic irony.
-          Each episode stops at a cliff hanger to continue the drama in the next episode.
-          Something is always going on and there is always a twist.
-          Community; small town, neighbour hoods and family.
-          Hard hitting storylines.
-          Strong female characters (matriarchs, brassy women).
-          Unknown becomes the known eventually; murder, stealing, cheating, etc.
-          Targeted audience is everyone.
-          Real life situations; a sense of realism.
-          Based around several characters; all characters around the community.
-          Build up to one main event, this effect all of the characters and there are a range of stories.

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