Poster

1. Poster Analysis
By Yunus Kasim

2. The channel 4 logo is used to “inform” (Katz) the
audience that they are watching Hollyoaks on channel 4,
and to remind them the drama is all occurring in that
channel.
The different images of the
cast illustrated on the
poster foreshadows that the
episode will be filled with
drama, likewise it connotes
that relationships will be
damaged and communities
will drift apart. This keeps
the audience engaged and
wanting to watch the
episode as soon as possible,
this therefore increases the
views for channel 4. The
characters facial expressions
whilst being on fire, reflects
on their reactions when
they’re under pressure or
suffering in the dilemmas
that they will individually
face.
Although they are on fire of
which acts as clothing, they still
appear as naked, and this is
significant as it emphasises the
type of characters they are. The
different hand gestures and
body language demonstrates
what type of characters they
are.
‘The week that will change Hollyoaks forever
starts Fri 5Nov’ this text is enough to give the
audience enough information of when the
episode is, and build tension before the
episode starts.
The frame used ‘signifies’
(De Saussure) that the
characters are trapped
and so must face what's
coming to them. It also
makes the poster look
clear and gives it clarity.
Having more females than males, further emphasises
that females are more in control. Also, it brings in the
fact that the majority of the audience are women and
so it attracts mostly females. Although, there will be
male audiences as the female characters act as the
male gaze (Laura Mulvey).

3. The inclusion of
social media
differentiates from
other posters, and
gives the audience
an alternative, as
they can see other
features on the soap
opera ‘Manor Drive’.
The image fading
away, connotes that
she was the one who
got murdered and
she is a vulnerable
character that the
audience may
empathises with.
The different characters
stating that they are not
guilty, is effective because it
keeps the audience in
suspense as they are unable
to work out who is guilty
from the line-up, and so
they must watch the soap
to find out.
‘Let the vengeance begin…’ is an exciting line
as it demonstrates that the soap will take
many twists and turns.
The date of the
episodes
‘Wednesday
8.30pm’ ‘informs’
the audience
when the
episodes will be
shown on ‘BBC
Three’.

4. The character used laying
on the floor is significant
as it enables the audiences
to take sides, and so some
sympathise with the
character, whilst others
may hate him. Either way
this image attracts both
sets of fans to watch the
episode.
The background is dark
and the floor is dirty. This
is parallel with the image
and makes it a more
attractive poster for the
audience as it enables
the audience to visualise
how the scene will look.
Having the soap name
‘Eastenders’ as well as
the channel ‘BBC’
together, is effective
because it tells the
demographic that for
them to be able to watch
the episode they must go
to the channel, and so
this clarity will give the
audience direction.
‘It’s going down…
Weekdays at 8pm’
This not only builds
more tension, but
gives the audience a
time, and so they are
able to adjust
anything that they
usually do at that
time, and get
themselves prepared
to watch the exciting
episode.
The codes and conventions used on this poster
are similar to the ones on the Hollyoaks one,
however it looks more simplistic due to the
concentration of one image, and lack of bright
colours.