Character, theme and narrative in the soap opera Essay Example for Free

Character, theme and narrative in the soap opera EssayFrom watching unrivaled particular case of the famous soap easterlyenders I was fitting to attain plenty of information and reference to certain argonas of a soap.There atomic number 18 specific codes and conventions to particular narratives that argon easy to identify. Obviously in each soap, the same sort of things occur and the audience can recognise this, thus such an appeal for soaps. In this single episode of Eastenders, the themes included are easily identifiable as being part of a soap. It includes all the drama in everyday life within one session of 30minutes. We are able to see potential fights, arguing, loving and a typical goodie and baddie scenario. Also there is mention of wedding and divorce, evidently showing mixed emotions. Furthermore, a noticeable feature of Eastenders is that there is a comic relief as there is a build up of suspense and tension, then a sight change to Patrick who supplies the audi ence with moments of laughter, along with a small selection of opposite characters.Location is an immense feature to Eastenders. There are a number of places you hollo to be featured in each episode the Queen Vic pub being the most notorious. Also within one street (square) there is 6 places of work all featured in this one episode. The jobs all being inter-gender and featuring different types of characters who play different roles with a wide range of age gaps. Ie. Garage, launderette, caf, E20 night club and a B B. In this 30 minute slot, which in Eastenders time is one full day from early morning to late night, we are able to see the pub closed, quiet and busy. Also when the pub is featured, the concentration is only on a conversation involving just two people, although you can hear other characters in the atmos, they are not seen. This is where camera angles become important.Over the shoulder shot is most commonly featured throughout when showing a squeeze of two charact ers talking. Also whilst in the middle of a conversation there is a sharp camera swap to a close -up view of the soul speaking, which only last for a few seconds. These are things that the audience take for granted but need plenty of thought and trials.There is only one point in the episode where one person is shown alone this being Peggy Mitchell who is talking to herself and allowing the viewers to empathise with her and share her emotions. She is a dominant family-heading female who is stressing her lugubriousness to the viewers. This is when we see a wider range of camera angles used as the photographers want us to see her differently and also let us see the cathode-ray oscilloscope and background which is a clever tactic so we can recognise where she is and what her method of thinking is. Also the cameras seem a similar distance onward from each character, and this means they never raise their voice and throughout the same volume of speech is enforced.A synopsis of what is actually happening in the episode is a number of storylines revolving around each other most of them having some sort of link or connection. The storylines are as follows * Phil Mitchell after his distur have it away ex-wife Lisa and his gratify* A triangle love situation between Little Mo, comical Billy and Mr. Nasty Trevor.* Sonias relationship with both Gus and Jamie* Janines flirting and misleading this linking into events occurring in the bed and breakfast.* Toms mental state of mind* Jim Brannan losing his job and Ricky in desperate need of oneThere is also other small ones developing but these are the main pinpointed ones. The storylines are age specific, therefore aimed at a wide range of viewers.In addition to this as storylines build up and characters become uneased in the episode, there seems to be no atmos/background music to dramatise the situation, which is a convention often employed by soap-makers. No music at all is used throughout the episode, excluding the catc hy and easily remembered theme tune at the beginning of the soap. Also the mini-cliffhangers at the conclusion of the soap is followed by the distinctive tune.This soap, ilk most others has no graphics used or clear use of modern hi-tech technology. There is just a simple, straightforward map of the East end of London at the beginning with the River Thames flowing through. This being very eye-catching and appealing.On the whole it is obvious to see that one 30minute episode of a soap can include so much detail, information and thought.