Example mini analysis – TV drama: Hollyoaks (inital 3 mins)

Title sequence:
Hollyoaks has a fast paced guitar tune as its theme song and this would be a feature that would be instantly recognisable to fans of the show. Hearing the theme tune may encourage those out of the room to return and watch the show! The opening shot is an extreme close up of a blue eye. The long eyelashes and make up suggest that this is a female eye and the blue is enhanced to draw the audience in. It also suggests that this teen drama contains lots of ‘looking on’ or seeing behind the surface of characters (voyeurism). It also connotes glamour and draws you in. The fast paced editing helps to contribute to its appeal for a younger target audience (with perhaps lower attention spans who therefore require fast paced action to stay hooked). The narrative structure of Hollyoaks also supports this idea as storylines are often on-going however they are edited together with no scene lasting more than 2/3 minutes before switching to a contrasting storyline. Light storylines are juxtaposed with heavy or intense storylines so that it does become too serious for the audience.

The costume and actions of the characters in the title sequence, despite being brief, help to suggest aspects of their character. Cheryl blows a kiss into the camera and laughs. She looks directly at the audience, therefore making a connection with them and the shot zooms from a long shot to a close up as she laughs helping to show her emotions. All of this connotes that she is a fun loving girl. All of the characters are shot singularly which also adds to the younger audience appeal; they may prefer characters with individualism as opposed to close knit family communities. This is a community and the rapid editing suggests that these characters are linked and have strong friendships but are also individuals with unique personalities. They are in the same surroundings but the other elements of the mise-en-scene contribute to the representation of character. Mercedes wears a very figure hugging dress and pouts at the camera which shows her sexy and confident image.

Initial opening sequence:

The opening shot is a montage of extreme close ups of various ordinary objects. This makes the audience focus on these items and builds intrigue as you don’t know who these objects belong to…yet. The items fill the frame. The objects are everyday items such as a toothbrush, bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice being poured. This helps the audience to immediately identify with the programme as these are part of a normal morning routine of an ordinary person. The audience will acknowledge that this programme may potentially contain characters that they can relate to, ensuring that they stay on the sofa!

Scroll to the next page for some questions…

Write your answers underneath the questions; put your name at the bottom and post it on you blog.



1. Does this analysis discuss the four key areas? How?
sound, mise-en-scene, camera shots and editing

2. What does ‘juxtaposed’ mean?
''Place or deal with close together for contrasting effect'' an example is black and white photos against coloured put next to one another.
3. This essay is very focused and detailed about a few elements – is that a good thing? Why?
yes as it means your fully analysing specific details and showing your knowledge of specific things being able to dig as deep as you can.