In this part of my coursework, I will use my own experiences and other information to explain why I believe my soap opera appeals to myself and my chosen target audience. All of the decisions I will make for my soap opera will be based on the results I received from my target audience questionnaire.
I believe soap operas to be addictive. They entice the audience by showing the soaps on set times throughout the week, which the audience would get used to making time to watch these soaps. The viewer’s thrive on the fact that their favourite soap is scheduled throughout the week on a regular basis. Also, by using soap promotions which feature throughout the week, it grabs the audience’s attention, leaving them wanting to know more about the storyline. I feel that when watching a soap opera you are able to relax and escape into watching someone else’s problems.
Soap operas fulfill the viewer’s needs by providing the viewers with a ‘Parallel life’, one which progresses as our lives do, but with fictional characters and scenarios. In every soap opera, there is an element of realism, which allows the viewers to become involved by means of relating themselves to the characters and their situations. The viewers are then able to emphasise with the characters through their own personal experiences. The viewers would equally gain pleasure in having meaningful discussions about the soaps, as they are knowledgeable in the field of life, and so can draw from their own actions. Possible comparisons may be made between ‘real’ life and life portrayed in soaps due to the subtle differences between the two.
I think that the popularity of soaps is not due to their content, but how the audience relates to them. Some storylines can be seen to be farfetched; something that you wouldn’t see in normal everyday life, however, I think the melodrama is what entices the audience into carrying on watching that particular soap.
Cliffhangers are a major feature in all soap operas and have a prominent place, usually at the end of an episode or week. The intention of a cliffhanger is to leave the viewer wanting more, as it provides suspense and anticipation. This ensures that the viewer will continue to watch as they are eager to find out what happens next. Even if they can predict what’s going to happen next, they are undoubtedly going to tune in to see if they were right.
I believe soap operas to be addictive. They entice the audience by showing the soaps on set times throughout the week, which the audience would get used to making time to watch these soaps. The viewer’s thrive on the fact that their favourite soap is scheduled throughout the week on a regular basis. Also, by using soap promotions which feature throughout the week, it grabs the audience’s attention, leaving them wanting to know more about the storyline. I feel that when watching a soap opera you are able to relax and escape into watching someone else’s problems.
Soap operas fulfill the viewer’s needs by providing the viewers with a ‘Parallel life’, one which progresses as our lives do, but with fictional characters and scenarios. In every soap opera, there is an element of realism, which allows the viewers to become involved by means of relating themselves to the characters and their situations. The viewers are then able to emphasise with the characters through their own personal experiences. The viewers would equally gain pleasure in having meaningful discussions about the soaps, as they are knowledgeable in the field of life, and so can draw from their own actions. Possible comparisons may be made between ‘real’ life and life portrayed in soaps due to the subtle differences between the two.
I think that the popularity of soaps is not due to their content, but how the audience relates to them. Some storylines can be seen to be farfetched; something that you wouldn’t see in normal everyday life, however, I think the melodrama is what entices the audience into carrying on watching that particular soap.
Cliffhangers are a major feature in all soap operas and have a prominent place, usually at the end of an episode or week. The intention of a cliffhanger is to leave the viewer wanting more, as it provides suspense and anticipation. This ensures that the viewer will continue to watch as they are eager to find out what happens next. Even if they can predict what’s going to happen next, they are undoubtedly going to tune in to see if they were right.