Soap Opera Research task

In groups, prepare a presentation on one of the following soap sub- genres and the listed programmes:

REALISM: Eastenders, Coronation Street.

SCRIPTED REALITY: The Only Way Is Essex, Made in Chelsea

American "FANTASY" soaps: Dallas, Dynasty

MELODRAMA: Hollyoaks, Days of Our Lives

AUSTRALIAN SOAPS: (also Melodramas) Neighbours, Home and Away

TELENOVELAS: (Spanish language soaps)

Instructions:

• Research a clear definition of your chosen sub- genre. Ask if you need help, and find clips of the soaps that help you understand the definition. (If you copy and paste, alter the entry so you can explain it to others.)

• Use images and clips to demonstrate the use of media languages in your sub- genre. (e.g. blue filters on lights create the grey, realistic lighting used in Eastenders)

• What character stereotypes are used? Use a variety of soaps in your sub- genre to find consistent representations

• What kind of storylines are stereotypical of your sub- genre? Mundane (e.g. infidelity, sibling rivalry, bills need paying) or sensational (e.g. murder, baby- snatching, tram crashes?!)

Load on to your blog and format so it looks interesting to read.