Textual Analysis of Hollyoaks

Textual analysis of part of an episode of Hollyoaks from 28th September

This episode concentrates on the life on the character “Brendan Brady” played by Emmett J, Scanlan and his depressed and lonely life, while being interfered by the mysterious and unnerving mind of “Simon Walker” played by Neil Newborn. The episode concentrates on Brendan’s mental life and how he is struggling to cope with his life.

The main target audience for this programme would be from 13-25 year olds preferably women as the content in the episode I have just watched seems to be based around relationships while also reflecting parts of human reality life although is not based on  a true story. Also, the idea that it is shown on television before the Watershed, suggests that it is suitable for younger teenagers to watch.

In the opening scene of this clip the use of Mise En Scene consists of the costumes, setting, props, casting, performance and colours used. The opening setting of the bedroom creates a sense of daylight and ease, while also showing the homosexual couple in bed together. After a few seconds in, the character “Doug Carter” played by PJ Brennan receives a phone call from “Simon Walker”. The paradigmatic choice of literally showing the name of “Walker” suggests that it is quite a significant phone call, and the fact that “Doug doesn’t tell his partner (Ste Hay) played by Kieron Richardson, that he has rang makes the idea seem a lot more sinister. This is then emphasised through PJ Brennan’s performance as he looks at “Ste Hay” in a somewhat unsure way, suggesting that he may feel bad about what he is doing. Throughout the setting of the bedroom is a blue duvet cover. This signifier could then symbolise a cold yet calm mood, which could then create a sense of coldness between the homosexual couple and their relationship. The use of the non-diegetic sound of the relaxing yet hip hop music at the beginning of the scene could be creating a somewhat calm and relaxed mood for the viewer as it is representing the beginning of the day. However, the use of the younger style music could emphasise the youth in the characters involved as well as the target audience. In Addition, the first thing we as the viewer encounter is the tracking long shot of the bedroom. The director may have used tracking movement to suggest a change in time from the last clip to this one and how the situations have changed. It also creates a sense of relaxation for the viewer which links in with the idea of waking up in the morning, while drawing the viewer in slowly to the situation happening at the time. Furthermore, low key lighting has being used in this opening scene to emphasise the idea of morning. It creates the idea of a dull and sad mood which is then emphasised with the mysterious phone call from “Walker”. It also emphasises the reality of life shown on some Fictional Productions as this clip is being a strong representation of a morning situation in society today. The closing of this scene and the opening of the next is then created using a dissolving transition. I feel that this then creates a change in time and mood.

The second scene then begins with the Mise En Scene of the setting of a village scene with just one taxi on the road. I feel that the director has used a village scene to represent a reality lifestyle for the viewers as trying to make the clip seem as happy as possible. The scene shows a young woman getting into a taxi while a man (Walker) is secretly watching her from behind a building. This then creates a sense of nervousness for the viewer as we get the impression that (Walker) is maybe trying to cause a tragedy or something particularly shocking to happen.  This could then link the paradigmatic choice of the black costume, which would connotate with the ideas of death, power and mystery.  In Addition, there are tracking camera shots across the village which follow the taxi, which therefore create a sense of time passing. However then once the tracking of the camera has stopped it switches and zooms in on “Walker” while on a low camera shot to suggest that he holds power and authority, which then may intimidate the viewers.  The camera then quickly goes back to the woman getting into the taxi which emphasises the fact that he is watching her.  Also, a woman getting into a taxi alone is maybe seen as a target for vulnerability and innocence which then makes the mysterious of “Walker” seem more sinister. The way in which the camera then flickers back to “Walker” while zooming in, then makes the viewer seem nervous and not at ease about the future of the character.  This scene also starts with the music that was in the bedroom scene. This then adds to the dramatic nerviness for the viewer, while with the tracking camera shot it helps create a more time consuming image.

The third scene is set within the exterior of a church yard. The Mise En Scene within the performances of the characters “Doug” and “Walker” creates a sense of tension. The way in which “Doug” is folding his arms in front of him suggests that he is trying to hide his body language towards “Walker”. This may then suggest that “Doug” is influenced and intimidated by him. This then links to “Walker’s” black leather jacket which creates the idea of the alpha male, which could suggest that he is powerful, while “Doug” is placed in a woolly jumper which can be seen as quite feminine and small in society today.  Also, “Doug” is seen to be looking up at “Walker” which emphasises his innocence and vulnerability when with him. This is then emphasised through the over the shoulder and zoomed in shots as the viewers attention in then drawn to “Doug” emphasising his intimation of “Walker”. In Addition, the use of the diegetic sounds of the road suggest the idea that the dialogue between “Walker” and “Doug” is natural and is in a natural environment. This then makes the scene seem more relaxed even though the two characters are raising their voices at each other.

In Conclusion, I feel that this television clip creates a sense of intimidation and mystery for both the viewers and the characters themselves. I feel that this is done mainly through the use of Mise En Scene and Camerawork and some uses of Semiotics as it draws attention to certain characters and expresses feelings and emotions that may not have being portrayed without these techniques.