Soap Trailer Analysis No. 2

Neighbours Plane Crash Trailer 2005



This is a trailer for Australian Soap Opera Neighbours, leading up to the plane crash episode, where many of the characters were killed, taken from www.youtube.com

Titles are used all the way through the trailer, and are used to build and create suspense. The titles are simple sentences normally split into two parts, and although the choice of wording is almost "cheesey" paired with the music and extra diegetic sound, it does capture the audiences attention very effectively. The titles are white against a completely black background, which means that the viewers eyes are instantly drawn to them. It can also be seen as connoting that very few will survive, the dark being the percentage who die and the white being the few that live. The titles at the very end say what the episode is (20th anniversary) and the name of the show, but doesnt give the name of the channel or the time, other than being "next week". However, the word "Neighbours" enlarges and moves further forwards, reitterating what show the trailer is for.

The non diegetic music at the start of the trailer sounds quite exotic, especially when paired with the visual of the cabin crew on the plane. The music is instantly stopped and replaced with extra diegetic screams and loud noises after the title saying "next week" comes up, which indicates how quickly the storyline will change. The only time the screams are paused is when the pilot says "Ladies and gentlemen, adopt the brace position now" which means that the audience has to take note of this, because there is nothing else to distract them. The absense of the screams also implies that death is iminent.

The first two camera shots are calm and steady, and clearly show the happiness of the characters involved. As soon as the music stops and the titles start to change and mention the plane crash, the shots become unsteady and all are close ups of peoples faces. This is effective because it shows the panic and fear of the characters and involves the audience because it feels like they are right alongside them.

The transitions between shots are very quick, giving the effect of a montage; the speed mirrors the situation spiralling out of control. The flickering of the lights eluminates some people and throws others into darkness, which could indicate which characters die and which survive, or it could also be seen as showing who the innocent are. The establishing shot shows two of the characters on the plane, the man being in a white suit which seems very glamourous and the woman who is impeccably dressed and with her hair done. After this, you only see people wearing life jackets, which shows the contrast between the two scenes.

The trailer can be seen as following Todorov's theory of narrative because of the state of equilibrium at the start, which is followed by a disruption (the plane crash). This is recognised and there is an attempt to save the situation (the pilot telling them to take the brace position and them all putting on life jackets) but because it is a trailer, the viewer doesnt know whether the equilibrium is restored until the watch the episode.