Television Soap Analysis Homework

First 10 Minutes of Eastenders:

From analyzing the first ten minutes of the television soap ‘Eastenders’, I was able to identify various aspects from the scenes which linked to the narrative theory of Barthés. The extract I viewed began in Janine’s home where she and Michael are having an argument, the subject matter of the argument is love and money, and this is significant to the scene as Janine questions if Michael loves her or just wants her for the money. This is empowered by the use of mise-en-scéne as Janine’s money is laid out on the table in order to test Michael as she says he can take it and leave.

The camera work within the scene is also very important as there is a main focus on Michael which shows his power of Janine, this is also seen through an over the shoulder shot which shows Janine is vulnerable to Michael which reflects their relationship, the lighting within the scene is also very dim which gives a sense of realism as well as empower the mood of the scene which is darkened and depressing for the couple.

The link to the Barthés theory is introduced through the use of sound and editing as there is use of a sound bridge before the cut from Michael and Janine to Alfie and Cat who are also arguing over the subject matter of love. This is a representation of the enigma code as it is a clue because Alfie discovers that Cat has been having an affair for three months but won’t say who with which makes the viewer’s think who the mystery man is in the affair. This strengthens the clue made by the sound bridge and cuts between the two couples.

The mise-en-scéne is also very similar to the scene of Michael and Janine as again the room is dim lit which may be another indication to the enigma code. Both scenes also use fast shot and reverse shots and close ups in order to show the emotions of the characters within the scene, this not only creates realism of the conflict between the two couples but creates a representation of relationship issues which couples may have within their personal lives.

Last 10 Minutes of Coronation Street

For the final part of the homework task I chose to analyse the last ten minutes of the television soap ‘Coronation Street’, it was hard to analyse what was happening throughout the entire episode as the episode began from a cliff hanger, however I was able to identify the narrative as a multi-strand narrative. The last ten minutes began with Lloyd, Jenna and Mandy in a living room which was dim lit, this created realism and tension as there is a subject matter and dispute about Lloyd being Jenna’s real father where he is then told to leave and that he should have stayed away by Mandy, Jenna’s mother.

The multi-strand narrative of the episode is then introduced as the scene cuts to a new story where Tina and Tommy where the scene begins with a panning show in order to show the mise-en- scéne of their new home which links to the subject matter of money and commitment, Owen is then introduced to the scene and empowers the subject matter by giving the couple a large sum of money which is to help the couple pay their rent and outstanding debts.

The multi-strand narrative is then also extended as there is a new scene which introduce the pub owners, who are entering a pub competition and the mother of the pub owner is filling out their own customer comments in order to win the competition, this scene helps the transition from where Lloyd is speaking to Ilene and Paul as he reveals to them that he’s Jenna’s father which he’s his work placement, the local taxi office.

The scene then transitions through a cut to the pub, linking back to the pub owners where we see Jenna storm into the pub and approach Lloyd, Ilene and Paul’s table in order to confront Lloyd where they then argue in the street on the subject matter of family and relationships. The use of this scene creates realism as they are in local locations and there is a realistic representation of family issues and problems which some viewers may be able to relate to.