Codes and conventions of soaps

The typical conventions of soaps consist of

• bar fights
• cliff hangers
• dilemmas
• gossip
• affairs
• pubs
• hierarchy

I have looked at codes and conventions in 3 episodes of Eastenders from different years, the differences between the three are clearly shown through the codes and conventions shown.

1995

In this scene the camera movement is very limited. The scene did not start with an establishing shot to let the audience know the surroundings of the scene which is always expected at the beginning of the scene, the scene then went on to show a close up of Grants reaction to Shannon leaving, this is the only close up shown in the whole scene in which created empathy for Grant. The rest of the camera shots consist of either medium or ensemble shots. The hierarchy is not clearly shown through the use of camera so we don't know the most important characters except if we look at the timing of whose on the screen the most, in this case it is Grant and Shannon so therefore we know they are the most important. The conventions of arguments, dilemmas and cliffhangers are shown in this scene but not as much as the elder episodes so therefore it looks as if the conventions of soaps have built up over time. These conventions are used to keep the audience interested and creates tension, it makes the audience look forward to the next episode. The colour pallet and music for the intro is very dull and boring with no transitions or special effects. There was also no silence within the scene which then didn't contribute creating tension within the scene. The scene was left on a cliffhanger to create tension for the audience wondering what was going to happen in the next episode.

2001

Within the 2001 episode the camera sound etc had improved slightly.

The scene started with a tracking shot of Billy instead of an establishing shot to inform the audience where we where in the square. The scene also consisted of all medium shots rather than a variety of shots to create certain moods for the audience. Although they did use the 180 degree rule whilst Barry and Billy where talking, this was the only change in camera shot they used throughout. Once again the opening was still the same except for a slight change in the colour pallet (brighter).

2010

In this scene Janine and Stacey had a fight, the camera movement in this scene was a lot more complex then the previous 2, it started off with a establishing shot of the square and Janine. We then went into a close up to show Janines facial expression which then creates tension as the audience want to know why she looks so angry is also shows her importance in the scene due to having a closeup, we then went onto cross cutting and panning to create tension during the fight, this created tension for the audience as you can see everything that is happening during the scene. The use of silence within this scene also plays a key part of creating a tense atmosphere between the two of the characters.

There where many conventions used within this scene, they used arguments/fights to keep the audience hooked, a tight community as Kat also gets involved, they also leave it on a cliff hanger to leave the audience wondering what is going to happen next.

By this time the opening credits where more complex the before, the use of cgi is clearly used, the colour pallet was more bright and the soundtrack was more upbeat rather then depressing, which is not a good way to start a show.